Archive Report
Archive Report
Burst of Interest in Outer Space
Space Studies by Congress and White House
Ascent of the satellite Explorer from a Florida cape into outer space, an hour before midnight on Jan. 31, ended a long period of frustration for American scientists and made the United States a pioneer with Soviet Russia of little-known realms beyond the earth. Orbiting of the Explorer also added urgency to the search for answers to two questions: (1) Shall future American ventures into outer space be entrusted to civilian or military authorities, or be divided between the two? and (2) What can be done to avoid conflict between nations over outer space and assure its exploitation to benefit mankind, not to threaten or destroy any people?
Congress gave an interim answer to ...