But why some say the moon?
Why choose this as our goal?
And they may well ask, why climb the highest
mountain?
Why thirty five years ago fly the atlantic?
Why does Rice play Texas?
We choose to go to the moon.
We choose to go to the moon in this decade
and do the other things.
Not because they are easy, but because they
are hard.
Because that goal will serve to measure and
organise the best of our energies and skills.
Because that challenge is one that we're willing
to accept.
One we are unwilling to postpone and one we
intend to win, and the others too.
We shall send to the moon, two hundred and
forty miles away from the control station
in Houston.
A giant rocket more than three hundred feet
tall - the length of this football field.
Made of new metal alloys, some of which have
not yet been invented.
Capable of standing heat and stresses, several
times more than has ever been experienced.
Fitted together with a precision better than
the finest watch.
Carrying all the equipment needed for propulsion,
guidance, control, communication, food and
survival.
On an untried mission.
To an unknown celestial body.
And then return it safely to earth, reentering
the atmosphere at speeds of over twenty five
thousand miles per hour.
Causing heat about half that of the temperature
of the sun.
Almost as hot as it is today.
And do all this.
And do all this, and do it right.
And do it first, before this decade is out.
Then we must be bold.
