This brief paper examines how the contention between primary and ancillary policies shaped the early development of the US space program, as well as the unique domestic and international conditions that allowed the Apollo program to become primary policy during the Kennedy administration.

When the public reflects on the Space Age, one of the first images that come to mind is John F. Kennedy standing behind a podium at Rice University in 1962 delivering his famous Moon Speech. More captivating and exciting than science fiction itself, the Apollo missions and the U.S.’ race against the Soviet Union inspired the hearts and imaginations of individuals in engineering, science, education, and business. As Judy Estrin reflects in her recent book, Closing the Innovation Gap: Reigniting the Spark of Creativity in a Global Economy, NASA’s legendary achievements during this period were made possible by the support of national leaders such as Kennedy (Estrin pg. 59). Disappointed by the loss of budgetary support for NASA, Estrin notes that such leadership is an essential ingredient for the U.S. to once again become the leading innovative nation. However, although Presidential leadership is an important factor in supporting and shaping space programs, another Apollo era is not likely to occur due to changes in the international relations environment since the 1960s as well as varying perspectives and objectives among NASA, the White House, and Congress that has influenced – but not in equal proportion – perspectives on how the direction of U.S. Space Policy should unfold. The following brief paper examines the domestic and international contexts in which NASA, the White House, and Congress determined space policy approaches during 1) Apollo program supported by the Kennedy and Johnson administrations in the 1960s, 2) the Shuttle program advocated by Nixon in the 1970s, 3) the International Space Station (ISS) promoted by Reagan in the 1980s, and 4) the current multi-polar dynamics of international relations in the post-Cold War era.