LBJ and Space
LBJ and Space
Even as a Senator, Lyndon Johnson saw the importance in surpassing the Soviet Union in space. He served on the Senate Special Committee on Space and Aeronautics, which led to the creation of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) in 1958.
Even as a Senator, Lyndon Johnson saw the importance in surpassing the Soviet Union in space. He served on the Senate Special Committee on Space and Aeronautics, which led to the creation of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) in 1958.
As Vice President and chairman of the Space Council, Johnson was the head of the U.S. space program. Just days after the Soviets launched the first human into space, President Kennedy assigned Vice President Johnson to investigate the potential of the U.S. Space Program. Johnson worked with NASA to determine that the United States could get to the moon by the end of the decade.
As Vice President and chairman of the Space Council, Johnson was the head of the U.S. space program. Just days after the Soviets launched the first human into space, President Kennedy assigned Vice President Johnson to investigate the potential of the U.S. Space Program. Johnson worked with NASA to determine that the United States could get to the moon by the end of the decade.
Apollo 8 astronauts gift President Johnson a photograph of the Earth and Moon taken from space.
NASA launched a dozen manned space missions during Johnson's presidency. Despite many setbacks, President Johnson was able to witness the successful orbit of the moon by the Apollo 8 manned spacecraft in December of 1968.
NASA launched a dozen manned space missions during Johnson's presidency. Despite many setbacks, President Johnson was able to witness the successful orbit of the moon by the Apollo 8 manned spacecraft in December of 1968.
President and Mrs. Johnson watch as the Apollo 11 mission lifts off from Kennedy Space Center on July 16, 1969.
Less than six months after President Johnson left office, Apollo 11 astronauts Neil Armstrong, Buzz Aldrin, and Michael Collins lift off to make the first moon landing.
Less than six months after President Johnson left office, Apollo 11 astronauts Neil Armstrong, Buzz Aldrin, and Michael Collins lift off to make the first moon landing.
LEARN MORE ABOUT THE APOLLO 8 mission
LEARN MORE ABOUT THE APOLLO 8 mission
Watch historic footage of the mission, including lift off, video taken of the Moon during the orbit, splashdown, and a telephone conversation with President Johnson.
the Moon Rock
the Moon Rock
This piece of the Moon symbolizes one of Lyndon Johnson's most important goals as founder of the U.S. space program -- to send an astronaut safely to the Moon and back. This rock was collected during the Apollo 15 mission in 1971.
This piece of the Moon symbolizes one of Lyndon Johnson's most important goals as founder of the U.S. space program -- to send an astronaut safely to the Moon and back. This rock was collected during the Apollo 15 mission in 1971.
Shortly after his death in 1973, NASA renamed its Manned Spacecraft Center in Houston as the Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center in honor of LBJ's contributions to American space exploration.
Shortly after his death in 1973, NASA renamed its Manned Spacecraft Center in Houston as the Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center in honor of LBJ's contributions to American space exploration.
