That one is in the future: creation of _inexpensive_ space launch methods.
What do you believe were the greatest decisions and accomplishments in US space history?
Best Decisions:1. Kennedy deciding to pursue moon landing. Ed, though it was rather quick, it was not impulsive. He discussed it at length with advisors and carefully weighed all the pros and cons and whether it could be done.2. Hubble repair.Accomplishments:1. 7-20-69 We came in peace for all mankind.2. Hubble3. Mars Rovers4. Galileo and Cassini5. Voyager Program
No, I was not just daydreaming re Eisenhower/Sputnik. I have read more than one document about this and actually presumed others here (some of whom are surely bigger history buffs than I) were aware of it; I believe you can find details in the National Archives. I have simply read far too much of this stuff over the years and cannot recall which morsels came from which documents (If I'd recalled when I posted I would have cited)
So far, you're not very convincing. You have given a version of events around Sputnik that is at odds with every account I've read before.
So far, you're not very convincing. You have given a version of events around Sputnik that is at odds with every account I've read before. You don't have any source to cite. Even worse, you refer to primary sources in the National Archives. That would seem to indicate there are no books or articles that have been written supporting your theory, which brings up the question of why such secondary sources don't exist. There's lots of interest in the events surrounding Sputnik, so lots of historians have surely researched it. Why didn't any of them come to the same conclusions you did? Or, if one or more of them did, why are you mentioning the National Archives instead?
After reading the Centaur history, I would have to say developing hydrolox engines/stages despite VonBraun's initial reluctance has to rank up near the top. RL-10/Centaur paving the way for RL-10/S-IV, J-2/S-II & S-IVB, SSME, etc... Oops, just saw that USFdon already listed this.
Quote from: apollolanding on 01/01/2014 04:16 pmAfter reading the Centaur history, I would have to say developing hydrolox engines/stages despite VonBraun's initial reluctance has to rank up near the top. RL-10/Centaur paving the way for RL-10/S-IV, J-2/S-II & S-IVB, SSME, etc... Oops, just saw that USFdon already listed this.Edkyle had mention "Abe Silversteins leadership on liquid hydrogen." up thread.Stages to Saturn (Roger Bilstein) highlights Silverstein's gamble into new territory of LH2.