Exploring the Unknown: Selected Documents in ... - The Black Vault

Exploring the Unknown 649
Document II-47
Document Title: Memorandum to Dr. Wernher von Braun, Director of NASA
Marshall Space Flight Center, from James E. Webb, NASA Administrator, 17
December 1966.
Source: Folder #18675, NASA Historical Reference Collection, History Division,
NASA Headquarters, Washington, DC.
After its budget peaked in 1965, the Apollo Program had to fight in the White House
and Congressional budget processes for the funds needed to make sure that both President
Kennedy’s “end of the decade goal” was met and the program could be carried through to its
planned conclusion. NASA had estimated in 1962 that 15 Saturn V launchers would be
needed to ensure this outcome.
Perhaps the most recognizable personality within NASA during the development phase of
Apollo was Wernher von Braun. He was an optimist by nature, and was frequently sought
out by the media for comments on Apollo’s progress. In a late 1966 interview with the
magazine U.S. News and World Report, von Braun suggested that the first lunar landing
might come relatively early in the Saturn V sequence, with the implication that Apollo’s
objectives might be accomplished with the use of less than the 15 vehicles that had been
ordered. NASA Administrator James E. Webb, who was working hard in Washington to
sustain support for Apollo, was not happy with von Braun’s remarks.
December 17, 1966
MEMORANDUM FOR:
THROUGH:
Dr. Wernher von Braun
Director, Marshall Space Flight Center
Dr. Seamans / AD
Dr. Mueller / M
Following our recent Program Review and the exchange I had with Joe Shea about
the difficulty our senior officials are having sustaining the credibility of their
public statements and the Congressional testimony we gave last year when those
responsible for program management were giving optimistic statements about
the time when 504 might “well go to the Moon,” I thought we had pretty well
established the policy that we would not make those kinds of statements. I had
this in mind particularly because I testified last year that we had no extra vehicles
in the program, and I made the strongest representation I know how to make in
the Bureau of the Budget this year that we should not cancel any of the 15 Saturn
V’s with the high risk of this program. Therefore, you can imagine my surprise
when I read the U.S. News and World Report statements in your interview. While
I recognize that they overplayed your statements, it does seem to me that your
answers to the questions made it possible for them to do so and that you could
have given answers which would have made the situation clearer.