January 30, 2009 Vol. 2, Issue 1
On January 25, 1984, President Ronald Reagan used his State of the Union address to call for NASA to build a permanent manned space station.
While Reagan’s speech took place in a broader sociopolitical context of generally heightened tensions with the Soviet Union, his remarks foreshadowed the international cooperation that has characterized the International Space Station. He called for NASA to invite other countries to participate “so we can strengthen peace, build prosperity, and expand freedom for all who share our goals.”
Read an excerpt from President Reagan’s 1984 State of the Union address.
