But why, some say, the moon?
Why choose this as our goal?
And they may will ask why climb the highest mountain?
Why, 35 years ago, fly the Atlantic?
Why does Rice play Texas?
We choose to go to the moon
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 organize and measure the best of our energies and skills
Because that challenge is one that we are willing to accept
One we are unwilling to postpone
And one which we intend to win...
For we have given this program a high national priority
Even though I realize that this is in some measure an act of faith and vision
For we do not now know what benefits await us
But if I were to say, my fellow citizens
That we shall send to the moon, 240,000 miles away from the control station in Houston
A giant rocket more than 300 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 have ever been experienced
Fitted together with a precision better than the finest watch
Carrying all the equipment needed for propulsion, guidance, control, communications, food and survival
On an untried mission, to an unknown celestial body
And then return it safely to earth
Re-entering the atmosphere at speeds of over 25,000 miles per hour
Causing heat about half that of the temperature of the sun
Almost as hot as it is here 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
I'm the one who is doing all the work, so we just want you to stay cool for a minute
However, I think we're going to do it
And I think that we must pay what needs to be paid
I don't think we ought to waste any money
But I think we ought to do the job
And this will be done in the decade of the sixties
It may be done while some of you are still here at school at this college and university
It will be done during the term of office of some of the people who sit here on this platform
But it will be done
And it will be done before the end of this decade
And I am delighted that this university is playing a part in putting a man on the moon
As part of a great national effort of the United States of America
Many years ago the great British explorer George Mallory
Who was to die on Mount Everest
Was asked why did he want to climb it
He said, "Because it is there."
Well, space is there, and we're going to climb it
And the moon and the planets are there
And new hopes for knowledge and peace are there
And, therefore, as we set sail
We ask God's blessing on the most hazardous and dangerous and greatest adventure on which man has ever embarked
Thank you