The present collection provides detailed information on Western New York’s important role in the Apollo Program. With the launch of Sputnik 1 in 1957, the United States established NASA the following year to begin its own efforts at a manned space program. Galvanized by President Kennedy’s speech to congress in 1961, NASA and the United States pushed to achieve his goal of “landing a man on the moon and returning him safely to the earth” before 1970. A key contributor to the success of Project Apollo, was Bell Aerosystems (formerly Bell Aircraft, and later Bell Aerospace). In particular, the Agena engine, known as the “workhorse of the space program”, was a key component of launching Apollo missions. What originated from the B-58 Hustler engine, came an engine that held a 99% reliability rating for the majority of its operation-a true feat of engineering. Naturally, once the astronauts landed on the moon, they required an engine with the capability of getting them back to the command module, and eventually back home. The solution for that problem was Bell’s Lunar Ascent engine. Part of the overall success of the Apollo program can be traced back to Western New York and Bell Aerosystems. Included in the collection are technical summaries, studies, presentations, and concept art of the Agena engine. Some of the studies, for example, include the testing data of the Ascent engine and a study of manned flying vehicles. Overall, the collection serves to inform those interested in the Apollo program, while providing the technical side of Bell’s role and contribution. Thanks to the effort given to Bell Aerosystems during the 1950s, 60s, and early 70s, the United States achieved President Kennedy’s goal of a moon landing and safe return to Earth.
Scope of Collection
A variety of reports, photographs, studies, and art depicting the contributions of Western New York to the Apollo Program.
