On May 25, 1961, President John F. Kennedy spoke to Congress. He had an idea for the future of NASA. NASA is short for the National Aeronautics and Space Administration.
“First, I believe that this nation should commit itself to achieving the goal . . . of landing a man on the moon and returning him safely to Earth. . . . Secondly, an additional 23 million dollars . . . will accelerate development of the Rover nuclear rocket. This gives promise of some day providing a means for even more exciting and ambitious exploration of space, perhaps beyond the moon, perhaps to the very end of the solar system itself.”
The Rover nuclear-powered rocket never took astronauts to space. However, it was developed and tested. The program ended in late 1972 because of budget concerns. Today, the Rover still inspires scientists. They build upon its advances to create the technology and fuels of the future.
