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Story
October 16, 1951
The Daily Alaska Empire
Juneau, Juneau County, Alaska
What is this article about?
A journalist reflects on dismissing post-WWII British plans for moon travel, now sees U.S. feasibility for space rockets with atomic power and crew protection. Links to the film 'The Day the Earth Stood Still' depicting a spaceship's arrival in Washington, D.C. and interplanetary peace efforts.
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DAY THE EARTH STOOD STILL
Shortly after the war, a British
scientist told me that plans were
under way to develop a space rock-
et capable of flying to the moon.
I pooh-poohed the idea, thereby
passing up a good story.
Last year however, American sci-
entists and defense officials not
only admitted that it was feasible
to fly to the moon, but that the
country which controlled the moon
would control the earth, since it
would be able to aim guided missiles
back at the earth.
The problem of reaching the moon
is basically that of getting rockets
to fly fast enough to attain an "es-
cape" speed - an escape speed be-
ing about 23,000 miles an hour -
sufficient to escape from the pull of
the earth's gravity.
Another problem was to develop
a rocket which could carry atomic
power in one part of the ship and
a human crew in the other part, yet
protect the crew from radioactive
rays.
The significant fact is that in
recent months, a means has been
developed to protect the crew from
atomic radiation in the rocket. Si-
ultaneously, 20th Century-Fox
and Julian Blaustein have just put
out a new picture "The Day the
Earth Stood Still" which gives a
fascinating account of what might
happen in Washington, D. C. if a
space ship arrived here from another
planet. The efforts to preserve the
peace when not mere countries,
but planets are involved, as set
forth in this picture, are worth
considering.
Shortly after the war, a British
scientist told me that plans were
under way to develop a space rock-
et capable of flying to the moon.
I pooh-poohed the idea, thereby
passing up a good story.
Last year however, American sci-
entists and defense officials not
only admitted that it was feasible
to fly to the moon, but that the
country which controlled the moon
would control the earth, since it
would be able to aim guided missiles
back at the earth.
The problem of reaching the moon
is basically that of getting rockets
to fly fast enough to attain an "es-
cape" speed - an escape speed be-
ing about 23,000 miles an hour -
sufficient to escape from the pull of
the earth's gravity.
Another problem was to develop
a rocket which could carry atomic
power in one part of the ship and
a human crew in the other part, yet
protect the crew from radioactive
rays.
The significant fact is that in
recent months, a means has been
developed to protect the crew from
atomic radiation in the rocket. Si-
ultaneously, 20th Century-Fox
and Julian Blaustein have just put
out a new picture "The Day the
Earth Stood Still" which gives a
fascinating account of what might
happen in Washington, D. C. if a
space ship arrived here from another
planet. The efforts to preserve the
peace when not mere countries,
but planets are involved, as set
forth in this picture, are worth
considering.
What sub-type of article is it?
Curiosity
Extraordinary Event
Historical Event
What themes does it cover?
Exploration
Fortune Reversal
Triumph
What keywords are associated?
Space Travel
Moon Rocket
Atomic Radiation
Guided Missiles
Day The Earth Stood Still
What entities or persons were involved?
Julian Blaustein
Where did it happen?
Washington, D. C.
Story Details
Key Persons
Julian Blaustein
Location
Washington, D. C.
Event Date
Shortly After The War
Story Details
Journalist recalls dismissing British moon rocket plans post-war; now U.S. experts confirm feasibility, strategic importance, and solutions to speed and radiation issues. Ties to film depicting alien spaceship arrival and planetary peace efforts.