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PWR 1ABA: Beyond! The Rhetoric of Space Exploration (Autumn 2021)

This guide is for students enrolled in PWR 1ABA: Writing & Rhetoric 1: Beyond! The Rhetoric of Space Exploration

Collections to Explore

Posters

Space related posters can be viewed by clicking on adjacent links.  You can further explore Hoover’s poster collection (over 30,000 posters) here

 

Poster RU/SU 2317.28R -  Drawing of a face in cosmonaut's helmet, shown as on a satellite photo

Poster RU/SU 2317.31RDrawing of two cosmonauts - male and female, floating in space, the Earth visible between them.

Poster RU/SU 2264.38R - Drawing of a rocket taking off, below, a small plow.

Poster IR 162Painting; star representing knowledge or science, containing quotations from the Koran, amid galaxies in space. Koran quotations in Arabic. Poster text in Persian commemorates anniversary of Islamic revolution.

Poster RU/SU 2315.6Two posters, one by Laslo Sos and Eva Kemeni shows a pocket watch with the mushroom of an atomic explosion above. Another by B. Rogachevskii shows the Earth seen from space.

Poster RU/SU 2315.4 Reproduction of three posters, by A. Pagowski, A. Balkanski, Pala Zhak. First is a drawing of a dove covered with graffiti saying "peace" in all languages, the next, a face of a girl, the last - the globe with a tree whose eyes look at a dove flying up.

Poster INT 240Drawing of a dove in outer space (wearing a space helmet) hovering over planet Earth.

 

Audio Materials

Space and the Nation: Mueller discusses the upcoming Apollo 8 mission and the goal of circumlunar flight. His discussion is within the context of advocating the importance of the space program to the future viability of the United States. Citing advancements in science and technology, which have been, and will continue to be, brought about by the space program, Mueller asserts that the economic benefits for the U.S. and its industries will make the investment worthwhile. Furthermore, he notes that technology has always ensured the "balance of power among nations...in one form or another."

 

 

Hoover ID: Program 19681115
2003c87_a_0005872

A Nuclear Space Odyssey: Seaborg argues that nuclear energy is the only viable fuel for future space travel. He anticipates that the SNAP (Secondary Nuclear Auxiliary Power) nuclear reactor power system will help make possible future projects, such as huge space stations and extended trips into deep space.

 

 

Hoover ID: Program 19700727
2003c87_a_0008459

Living Under Water: Parallel with Space Operations: Kubokawa discusses his experience as an aquanaut living and working underwater at the Project Tektite 2 in preparation for space travel and preparing astronauts for the harsh and cramped living conditions of extended space travel. He talks about daily living conditions, including his concern over the amount of trash the habitat generated, as well as the trash and pollution from the general population that he saw accumulating on the sea floor from passing boats.

Hoover ID: Program 19700829
2003c87_a_0008466

The World Revolution: From Outer Space to Cyberspace

 

Hoover ID: Program 19941118
2003c87_a_0006315

Space Shuttle Columbia: Young and Crippen talk about their first mission on the space shuttle Columbia, which they view as a great success. They praise the vehicle's performance and give full credit to the American engineers who created it. Describing the flight in detail, they explain how each component of the space shuttle worked, and talked about the smooth landing.

Hoover ID:2003c87_a_1001043

Record Number:2003C87.1043

The Apollo Astronauts: Astronauts Edgar D. Mitchell, Stuart A. Roosa, and Alan B. Shepard from the Apollo 14 mission. Roosa explains the duties of his role as command module pilot, which includes topographic photography and his main duty, supporting the lunar landing. Mitchell, the lunar module pilot, talks about piloting the craft to retrieve material and scientific data from the moon's surface. Shepard, the crew commander, reviews the extensive accomplishments and innovations that have come from the space program and encourages continued public support through taxes and other funding sources.

 

 

Hoover ID:Program 197103312003c87_a_0008719

Record Number:2003C87.453

The Moon Race: Facts, Fiction, and Dividends: A few months after the Apollo disaster, Werner argues that the space program has numerous benefits. Among these is it raises the prestige of the country, it stimulates the national economy, and that much new knowledge and technology from the U.S. space program has been transferred to everyday use. Lightweight plastics, satellites, and medical devices are examples of materials developed within the space program that now are used in the private sector. He believes the space program is worth continuing and that the United States needs to maintain skilled and experienced people.

 

 

Hoover ID:Program 196704142003c87_a_0004176

Record Number:2003C87.238

Sputnik Journey: Gherman Titov (Soviet astronaut) talks about his space flight experience and training. He anticipates his generation will fly into space like people now fly in airplanes.

 

 

Hoover ID:Program 196205082003c87_a_0001346

Record Number:2003C87.182

The Future of Planetary Exploration: Frosch discusses NASA's planetary exploration program, beginning with past and present reconnaissance efforts. the next step will be systematic, more comprehensive exploration, and finally intensive study. Summing up what's been learned so far via this program, the diversity of the planets is their most impressive single feature. Frosch talks about future plans, including Voyagers I and II, Galileo, humans in space, and an extraterrestrial machine that could use solar energy and local materials to build a replica of itself in space.

 

 

Hoover ID:Program 197909142003c87_a_0011671

Record Number:2003C87.935

Mars 1988: Mystery of the Red Planet: A talk on the planet Mars. Fraknoi covers the topology of the planet, exploration by man, chance for life, and other related topics.

 

 

Hoover ID:Program 198809232003c87_a_0003999

Record Number:2003C87.1663

On the Apollo 16: Three Apollo 16 astronauts share their stories about the mission. Training and practical benefits of the space program are among their topics.

 

 

Hoover ID:Program 197206282003c87_a_0009189

Record Number:2003C87.531

A Reflective Look at Star Wars: Part I: Not the formal debate format, but in effect a debate on the merits and possibilities of Star Wars--a/k/a SDI, a/k/a High Frontier--against the background of reports from Geneva that Mikhail Gorbachev had proposed a 50 per cent reduction in Soviet weapons in return for the United States' stopping work on a defense system. There are fireworks here--especially between Messrs. Kendall and Jastrow--but also solid information on this complex but crucial topic. HK: "We have no way of building a defense which cannot be punched through by a determined enemy." RJ: "The Soviet Union now has running, full time, four ICBM production lines--the SS-18, -19, -24, and -25. The -24 and -25 are mobile. They cannot be verified. Gorbachev's offer for a 50 per cent reduction for that reason alone is meaningless. We have no ICBM production lines running."

 

 

Hoover ID:Program S0663

Record Number:80040.905

A Reflective Look at Star Wars: Part I

Hoover ID:Program S0664

Record Number:80040.906

A Reflective Look at Star Wars: Part II

 

Video Materials

Was It Worth It? [Going to the Moon]: Admiral Shepard's unequivocal answer to the title question is: Yes, it was worth it. The effort to send men to the Moon. Does that mean we should go back to the Moon again, or try to go on to Mars? Not yet, he says, given what else we might do with finite resources, and given how much of the data brought back we still have not assimilated. This is not the most exciting show, but Admiral Shepard has thought deeply and speaks engagingly on matters such as what, apart from the human spirit, space exploration is good for. AS: "I think that the recent Skylab mission, which was supposed to be 28 days of blissful experiments and turned out to be 28 days of a cliffhanger, probably demonstrated as graphically as any of us could how well man can function in space--not only the crew but those men on the Earth who are responding to the various emergencies that come up."

Hoover ID: Program S0100

 

Additional Materials

Others visual and audio materials can be found by searching Hoover Archives digital collections (https://digitalcollections.hoover.org/collections) using topic specific keywords such as: Apollo, Soyuz, Sputnik, Planet, Space…etc  

 

Papers and Other Related Items

Edward Teller Papers  (Box/Folder: 144 : 28): "Outer Space Travel: What is and is not Possible?" Chapter 4, Peacetime Uses of Outer Space, 1961

Katherine Drew Hallgarten papers (41 Boxes): Reports, conference papers and proceedings, laws and treaties, hearing transcripts, correspondence, printed matter, and photographs, relating to international communications and space law.

Robert B. Dresser Papers, 1941-1967 (Box 1) #132 - An open letter opposing the Outer Space Treaty, mailed to all Senators April 25, 1967, not published in Providence Journal - April 25, 1967

Luis Kutner papers, 1930-1993

  • (Box/Folder: 1 : 6): "Due Process of Outer- Space Law: The International Cosmos Court--A Proposal," 1962  and "A World Outer- Space Prison: A Proposal," 1969.

  • (Box/Folder: 3 : 7): Printed matter from law journals on the issues of law of the sea, outer space law, repatriation of prisoners and extradition, and other related matters, 1967-1974

  • (Box/Folder: 125 : 2): "Due Process of Outer- Space Law: The International Cosmos Court: A Proposal," 1962

  • (Box/Folder: 162 : 2): "Due Process of Outer- Space Law: The International Cosmos Court: A Proposal" (with Maxwell M. Rabb), 1962

  • (Box/Folder: 169 : 8) - Outer space migration, 1981.

Alex Inkeles papers (Box/Folder: 130 : 8): Vepa, Prasad, "UN Conference on Exploration and Peaceful Uses of Outer Space” (c.1968-74)

Vitalii Leonidovich Kataev Papers 

  • (Box/Folder: 4 : 9) - Letter to President of the Soviet Union Mikhail Gorbachev from E. Shevardnadze, A. Dobrynin, and A. Yakovlev regarding use of outer space for the peaceful purposes, 1986 July 21. Nuclear and space missile talks, 1986-1991. Ballistic missile defense, space weapons.

  • (Box/Folder: 7 : 3) - Principal approach on reduction establishment for launching of experimental anti-satellite equipment in outer space

  • (Box/Folder: 7 : 4) - Material on the questions of nuclear-space armaments for the meeting with Ronald Reagan, undated.

  • (Box/Folder: 7 : 12) - Position of the Soviet Union on the question of further negotiations on space and nuclear space weaponry

  • (Box/Folder: 11 : 28) - 1988. Geneva conference on disarmament, 1988 February. Includes directives to the Soviet delegation. Includes also draft resolution on establishment of international system of control over non-militarization of outer space 

  • (Box/Folder: 13 : 6) - Soviet-Canadian project on keeping outer space a weapon-free zone, 1989 August 17

Thomas H. (Thomas Hawkins) Johnson Papers (Box/Folder: 47: 19) - United Nations Institute for Disarmament Research (UNIDIR) expert group meeting on "Problems of Definition and Demarcation in the Prevention of an Arms Race in Outer Space ," Sochi, USSR, 1988 October 19-20. Brochure, letters, list of experts, minutes of meeting, and telegram

Russian Pictorial Collection (Box 2 / Envelope DT) - 10 prints of Soviet exploration activities in outer space , 1984-1990.

Herbert Romerstein collection

  • (Box 838.5) - Institute for Security and Cooperation in Outer Space. Newsletter (Spaceline), 1989

  • (Box 195. 5-6 Pamphlets, 1951-1986.) Includes:  Star Wars or Star Peace; The U.S. Space Offensive: Road to Nuclear Annihilation;
  • (Box 1126.4-6) - Soviet issuances. Pamphlets, study and press summaries, 1983-1988. Includes A. Arbatov, “Space Frontiers: Myths and Reality of ‘Star Wars’”; Gennadi Gerasimov, Keep Space Weapon- Free; G. Zhukov, Outer Space and Peace; SDI; “Star Wars”

  • (Box 1127.1-2) - Pamphlets, 1982-1987. Includes Alun Chalfont, SDI: The Case for the Defence; Daniel Deudney, Space: The High Frontier in Perspective; Joyce E. Larson and William C. Bodie, The Intelligent Layperson’s Guide to “Star Wars”; Star Wars

Scientists For Sakharov, Orlov And Shcharansky Records, 1975-2010 (Box 1 / Folder 3) - Agreements on scientific and technical cooperation, including cooperation in the exploration and use of outer space for peaceful purposes, between the National Academy of Sciences of the United States and the Academy of Sciences of the Soviet Union

Stephen J. Tonsor Papers (Box/Folder: 37:29) "Star Wars on Campus: The University and Defense of a Free Society," undated. Typescript

Elbridge Durbrow papers, 1926-1996 (Box: 65): "Star Wars " Delusions and Dangers, 1985. Translated into English

Hoover Institution Library Pamphlet Collection

Disarmament
World conscience challenged Stop Star Wars 
Ardenne, Manfred
[Berlin, Panorama DDR], 1985, 1985, 16 p.
Microfilm call number: NX5335, Partial call number: PAM JX19

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Space weapons
"Star Wars" a blueprint for Doomsday
Kucera, Bohuslav; Pagac, Zdanek Czechoslovak Committee for European Security and C
Prague, Orbis Press Agency, 1986, 1986, 32 p.
Microfilm call number: NX5411, Partial call number: PAM UG15
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Space weapons
"Star Wars " delusions and dangers
Moscow, Military Publishing House, 1985, 1985, 56 p., Ill.
Microfilm call number: NX5411, Partial call number: PAM UG15
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Space weapons
Begrensninger/Kontroll av ASAT-vapen: En problem-guide
Melby, Svein; Norsk Utenrikspolitisk Institutt (NUPI)
Oslo, Norsk Utenrikspolitisk Institutt, [198, 1981, 34 p.
Microfilm call number: NX5411, Partial call number: PAM UG15
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Space weapons
Keep weapons out of space!
[Berlin, Panorama DDR, 1985, 1985, 62 p.
Microfilm call number: NX5411, Partial call number: PAM UG15