Learning to Build a Space Station

You are here: Homepage > Search

Learning to Build a Space Station

Sivolella, Davide

Abstract

On January 25, 1984, President Ronald W. Reagan, recently installed in office, stood before a joint session of the US Congress and delivered a State of the Union Speech in which he reported upon the condition of the country and traced out his agenda and priorities for the year. Halfway through the 43-minute speech, Reagan reminded his audience of America’s next frontier: Space. He was emphatic, “Nowhere do we so effectively demonstrate our technological leadership and ability to make life better on Earth,” He added, “America has always been greatest when we dared to be great. We can reach for greatness again. We can follow our dreams to distant stars, living and working in space for peaceful, economic and scientific gain.” Everyone in attendance in the House of Representative chamber of the United States Capitol was now primed to receive the next big announcement. “Tonight, I am directing NASA to develop a permanently manned space station and to do it within a decade.”