Remembering the Space Age. - Black Vault Radio Network (BVRN)

IMaGINING aN aerOSpaCe aGeNCY IN the atOMIC aGe
the structure of russian culture and thinking is such that
they are learning to live the life of science and its application
. . . Is there a way to tell the country that we should set out
on a scientifc adventure in which all can participate? If this
can be done, with our concept of freedom and the independent,
unfettered man, we can move far ahead. We need a
scientifc community in the american tradition. 14
Whether or not Land had accurately assessed the Soviet mentality towards
science or of the true implications of the Sputnik launch is of little importance.
the notable point is the reaction produced in the very highest echelons of
scientifc and military advisory circles. Clearly, the hysteria and “fever”
that swept the country in the wake of the Sputnik launch was not limited
to an uninformed public. Indeed, the media and public were simultaneously
concerned with the integration crisis at Central high School in Little rock,
arkansas. For those in the government primarily concerned with national
security, Sputnik produced a larger efect than in the public at large.
the conception of Sputnik as a discontinuity is linked to the conception
of scientifc prestige as a benchmark for national strength. Since eisenhower
misjudged the impact Sputnik would have on the perception of the United
States, so the argument goes, only after the media frenzy and political attacks of
fall 1957 did the administration recognize the importance of science to national
prestige in the international sphere. even in the face of Sputnik, eisenhower
seemingly remained steadfast in his dislike of federal bureaucracy and shied
away from setting prestige as a goal of space research. On November 7, 1957,
eisenhower announced the creation of the post of Special assistant to the
president for Science and technology in a televised address on national security.
the address summarized american nuclear assets while noting defciencies in
science education in america. the speech concluded with a warning against
runaway spending:
It misses the whole point to say that we must now increase
our expenditures of all kinds on military hardware and
defense—as, for example, to heed demands recently made
that we restore all personnel cuts made in the armed forces.
Certainly, we need to feel a high sense of urgency. But this
James Killian for the creation of a scientifc advisory panel to assist the proposed advisor.this
would become the president’s Science advisory Committee (pSaC), which began meeting in
November with Dr. Killian as its head. “Detailed (largely verbatim) notes on a meeting of the
ODM Science advisory Committee with the president on October 15, 1957,” folder 012401,
NaSa historical reference Collection, NaSa headquarters,Washington, DC.
14. Ibid.
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