When President Kennedy declared in 1961 that the United States would travel to the Moon before the end of the decade, it set forth a massive industrial and scientific effort to achieve what had previously been impossible: Escape Earth's gravity and reach for the stars. Four years prior, the Soviet Union had launched its first satellite, shortly followed by the first animal in space then the first human in space. Embroiled in a Cold War with the Soviets and fearing falling behind technologically and scientifically, the United States poured vast amounts of resources on creating the largest rocket ever built.
Over the next eight years, countless technological challenges were overcome to assemble the Saturn V rocket and its components, including the landing module and the command module. A building to house the rocket was built, a way to move the giant rocket to the launch pad was designed, space suits to protect astronauts were created and sewed by expert hands, and multiple other complex issues were resolved with determination and grit. On July 20, 1969, the first astronaut walked on the surface of the Moon. It was an accomplishment for humanity, but specifically for the hundred of thousands of workers who contributed to making Apollo 11 a successful mission.
Beautifully illustrated, this story recounts one of the greatest scientific achievement in the history of the nation. Fans of history and of space will appreciate the quality and specificity of the drawings, and will enjoy cheering for the men and women of NASA as they fulfill President Kennedy's mission.
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