From Jules Verne to “Apollo”’ Missions (How the Decision for Lunar Landing Was Made)

The landing of a man on the Moon is considered within the framework of a four-phase scheme for the development of technical innovations. The article focuses on making a political decision by the US President. The influence of NASA, political advisers to President Kennedy, the academic community and the success of the Soviet Union on making the decision is discussed. The price of national prestige, scientific benefit, the risk to the crew and budget expenditures were thoroughly weighted. The scientific community warned that scientific results should be more substantial, but this criticism was neglected. It is demonstrated how the first factor – national prestige – won. The role of scientific advisers in the presidential decision-making mechanism is shown.