. . . we meet in an hour of change and challenge. . . in a decade of hope and fear. . . in an age of both knowledge and ignorance. . . . the greater our knowledge increases. . . the greater our ignorance unfolds. . . despite the striking fact that most of the scientists that the world has ever known are alive and working today. . . the vast stretches of the unknown and the unanswered and the unfinished still far outstrip our collective comprehension. . . this is a breathtaking pace. . . and such a pace cannot help but create new ills as it dispels old. . . new ignorance. . . new problems. . . new dangers. . . surely the opening vistas of space promise high costs and hardships. . . as well as high reward. . . so it is not surprising that some would have us stay where we are a little longer to rest. . . to wait. . . all great and honorable actions are accompanied with great difficulties. . . and both must be enterprised and overcome with answerable courage. . . if this capsule history of our progress teaches us anything. . . it is that man. . . in his quest for knowledge and progress. . . is determined and cannot be deterred. . . the exploration of space will go ahead. . . whether we join in it or not. . . and it is one of the great adventures of all time. . . and this generation does not intend to founder in the backwash of the coming age of space. . . we mean to be a part of it. . . we mean to lead it. . . for the eyes of the world now look into space. . . and we have vowed that we shall not see it governed by a hostile flag of conquest. . . but by a banner of freedom and peace. . . we set sail on this new sea because there is new knowledge to be gained. . . whether it will become a force for good or ill depends on man. . . space can be explored. . . because that challenge is one that we are willing to accept. . . one we are unwilling to postpone. . . and one which we intend to win. . . we have had our failures. . . but so have others. . . even if they do not admit them. . . and they may be less public. . . to be sure. . . we are behind. . . and will be behind for some time. . . but we do not intend to stay behind. . . and in this decade. . . we shall make up and move ahead. . . and finally. . . what was once the furthest outpost on the old frontier of the West will be the furthest outpost on the new frontier of science and space. . . well. . . space is there. . . and we're going to climb it. . . and new hopes for knowledge and peace are there. . . and. . . therefore. . . we set sail. . . -jfk