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Last year at this time, the USA celebrated the 50th anniversary of the landmark Apollo 11 moon landing. This year, it’s still instructive to recall the vital leadership lessons of President John F. Kennedy (JFK), which proved instrumental in facilitating this historic achievement for the ages.
It’s especially important for the public to remain focused on space because NASA is partnering with innovative private companies, like SpaceX, to pioneer new advances in space flight, space science and space exploration. This was recently evidenced by the first-ever successful NASA-SpaceX launch and docking of a manned mission of American astronauts to the International Space Station from U.S. soil.
Let’s remember that during the 1960s, a manned moonshot was a major longshot for America. Our tremendous triumph in space, culminating on July 20, 1969, may not have been possible without the astounding leadership and bold vision of JFK, who famously stated, “We choose to go to the moon…”
Every generation can learn valuable lessons from JFK’s herculean efforts to galvanize the nation for the moon missions. President Kennedy artfully laid the foundation for the Apollo space program which successfully landed men on the moon and returned them safely to Earth from 240,000 miles away.
The Apollo 11 mission was so dangerous that President Nixon’s speechwriters prepared an obituary address to the nation to honor the fallen astronauts in case of mission failure, a real possibility which many nervously anticipated.
Following are three critically important leadership examples from JFK which all Americans should recognize and respect, especially as the USA aspires to land men and women on the moon by 2024 in furtherance of building a permanent lunar base for a springboard to Mars:
- Formulate and effectively communicate a bold vision to unify the nation.
- Foster innovative thinking and leverage new technology to advance science.
- Take big risks to demonstrate the immense possibilities of human ingenuity.
JFK’s courageous actions to effectuate space exploration yielded countless scientific and technological discoveries that have since altered the course of society for the greater good — and, by extension, the human race.
Improbable Dream
While much focus has been directed toward the heroic Apollo 11 astronauts, and rightfully so, we should likewise pay homage to the heroic efforts of President Kennedy.
JFK led the charge for the USA to become the first nation in world history to land astronauts on the moon and return them safely — and in a specified time period, no less. He inspired the nation to thrive in space through NASA’s building of the powerful Saturn V rocket, in addition to the infrastructure and architecture of the celebrated Apollo program.
JFK’s cogent communication ability catalyzed the public, Congress, and NASA to believe that the improbable dream of landing men on the moon was indeed possible by the end of the 1960s, even though the possibility appeared remote.
Unfortunately, JFK would not live to see his fearless vision and immense plans bear fruit when the Eagle touched down on the lunar surface. That was due to his tragic and untimely death by an assassin’s bullet on November 22, 1963, on the streets of downtown Dallas. The Apollo 11 mission turned JFK’s bold vision into a shining reality, while restoring public confidence in America during a turbulent and uncertain time in the country’s history.
Imagine landing on an alien world. Remote and desolate. An unfamiliar landscape covered in gray dust. You look up and there’s not a cloud in the black sky.
50 years ago, Armstrong & Aldrin landed on the Moon, turning the stuff of science fiction into reality. #Apollo50th pic.twitter.com/GXQTviIzDs
— NASA Moon (@NASAMoon) July 20, 2019
Beating the Soviets
When JFK articulated his plans for a manned moon landing, the former Soviet Union (USSR) was already winning the space race. The USSR had successfully put the first cosmonaut into low Earth orbit, leaving America to play catch up against the odds. Nevertheless, JFK led the nation to do what was once thought impossible.
JFK pushed hard in persuading Congress to boost NASA’s budget to the historic levels necessary to achieve the nation’s grand goals in space. NASA’s new funding allowed the budding space agency to assemble a top-notch team of scientists, engineers, designers, contractors, and others which numbered 400,000 strong.
This national mobilization of hearts, minds, and manpower — the likes of which were unseen since World War II — ultimately led America to prevail over the Soviets when Neil Armstrong stepped foot on the lunar surface and uttered the timeless words:
That’s one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind.
And indeed it was. JFK understood the historical significance of America leading the world in space science, exploration, research, and technology as the lone global superpower.
Imagine landing on an alien world. Remote and desolate. An unfamiliar landscape covered in gray dust. You look up and there’s not a cloud in the black sky.
50 years ago, Armstrong & Aldrin landed on the Moon, turning the stuff of science fiction into reality. #Apollo50th pic.twitter.com/GXQTviIzDs
— NASA Moon (@NASAMoon) July 20, 2019
Moon Speech
Let’s also recall JFK’s notable “Moon Speech” at Rice University in Houston on September 12, 1962 (video above). That’s when the 35th American President issued a clarion call for the USA to “become the world’s leading space-faring nation.”
- “We choose to go the moon this decade and do the other things not because they are easy, but because they are hard,” JFK illustriously remarked. “This country was conquered by those who moved forward — and so will space.”
- “William Bradford, speaking in 1630 of the founding of the Plymouth Bay Colony, said that all great and honorable actions are accompanied with great difficulties, and both must be enterprised and overcome with answerable courage.”
- “I regard the decision last year to shift our efforts in space from low to high gear as among the most important decisions that will be made during my incumbency in the office of the Presidency.”
“To be sure, we are behind, and will be behind for some time in manned flight. But we do not intend to stay behind, and in this decade, we shall make up and move ahead.” - “The growth of our science and education will be enriched by new knowledge of our universe and environment, by new techniques of learning and mapping and observation, by new tools and computers for industry, medicine, the home as well as the school.”
- “This year’s space budget is three times what it was in January 1961, and it is greater than the space budget of the previous eight years combined.”
JFK called the forthcoming moon mission “the most hazardous, dangerous and greatest adventure upon which man has ever embarked.” He said it was “part of a great national effort.”
This is the same type of unifying “great national effort” we need today if America aspires to future greatness in space and, likewise, on our own planet.
Final Thoughts
Today, NASA remains the crown jewel of public sector space innovation with big plans ahead, in partnership with innovative private companies like SpaceX. This is thanks in no small part to the leadership, fortitude, and vision of President Kennedy during the early 1960s.
The elite space agency serves as a stark reminder of what’s possible when the federal government harnesses its full potential through presidential and congressional leadership, buttressed by strong public support.
The anniversary of the Apollo 11 moon landing reminds us of one of the reasons why JFK is among the most beloved and popular presidents in American history. His extraordinary legacy of leadership positively shaped our national interests in unparalleled ways.
JFK blazed a singular path for NASA to embrace and overcome seemingly insurmountable challenges in landing the first men on the moon. He brought out the best in all Americans at a time when it was desperately needed. This is something sorely missing from today’s elected officials in Washington on both ends of Pennsylvania Avenue, from the White House to the halls of Congress.
JFK transformed the USA for the better. He was a larger than life figure during a fluid and turbulent time in American history.
- JFK transcended the times by leading the USA to new heights at home and abroad.
- JFK lifted the spirit and conscience of America.
- JFK defied conventional wisdom and beat the odds for the nation to succeed and prosper.
President Kennedy’s historic leadership lessons live on for new generations, as America strives to meet new challenges of the 21st-century space age.
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An earlier version of this post was previously published on medium.com
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Photo credit: History in HD on Unsplash
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