Space Race Didn't End





President Richard Milhous Nixon was not a big supporter of the Space Race with the Soviet Union. It was known (in OTL) as he entered the Presidency that he wanted to cut the Apollo missions as soon as possible. He felt that it was a waste of money and he wanted to concentrate on the Vietnam War and the poor economy that he had just inherited. President Nixon was also very anti-communist, as most politicians were at the time. President Nixon is best known for the Watergate Scandal and for possible being paranoid (mostly about getting re-elected). What if this paranoia fueled his anti-communism and he was paranoid about losing the Space Race. What if he had a change of heart in regards to the importance of the Space Race and wanted to win no matter what! And what if this and not Watergate is what stands out in his Presidency. What it is his leadership and decisions during his Presidency are why the Space Race continued and instead the Arms Race died. What if he is remembered for opening space to humanity!

The 1960's
1966

POD: Soviet Chief Designer and leading architect of its space program Sergei Korolev enters a Moscow hospital for a routine hemorrhoid operation it is a complete success. (In OTL he dies)

Vladimir Chelomey, Korolev's chief rival, approaches Korolev with a plan to increase funds for the space program and be able to challenge the American in the race to the moon. The ambitious plan call for better cooperation, bigger rockets and even catch up with the Americans within two years. Then be in a position to pass them... they went before Premier Brezhnev the leader of the Soviet Union and the Central Committee... the plan was approved.

1967

The Soviets start to test an improved and larger UR-500 (Proton) rocket hoping for a manned fly-by of the moon. They also started redesigning and testing the N-1 super- heavy rocket.

The United States test an unmanned Saturn V rocket in November it is a total success.

1968

The Soviets launch 2 successful unmanned Soyuz 7K-Zond-B probes, redesigned and well-funded, they are larger than earlier models and capable of carrying 3 cosmonauts and supplies; it was hoped they can perform a circumlunar loop flight around the moon before the American did their fly-by.

Apollo 8 launched on December 21 leaves earth orbit and became the first human travelers to leave LEO and travel to another celestial body.

1969 

January 11 Soviets successfully follow the Americans with their Zond program and travel to the moon in a fly-by mission.

January 20, Richard Nixon is sworn in as the 37th President of the United States; in a news conference the new Presidents said he is unimpressed with the Soviet mission pointing out that the whole Zond program is too small to land a man on the moon; unlike Apollo that is getting ready to fulfill the goals of JFK several years earlier and land a man on the moon.

February 21 The Soviet N-1 (Lenin) Rocket launches into orbit in an unmanned flight... after 2 years of redesigning and successfully ground testing. he rocket is larger than early models but still smaller than the Saturn V.

The Soviets leadership, upon their cosmonauts return, claim that while the Americans may land on the moon first, there are many other places to go in the solar system to visit and that with a new heavy lift rocket and a new manned rocket both of which can travel in deep space the American will quickly fall behind the Socialist Model.

Premier Brezhnev the leader of the Soviet Union said in a speech to the Politburo Central Committee "the American think of this Space Race as if it is a foot race... one moon, one destination... but we see a moon, the asteroid belt and 8 other planets, therefore, it is not a foot race but a Decathlon and we will win the race!!"

President Nixon is concerned by the foot race comparison and the recent rocket tests. He summons his science advisors and NASA chief scientist and engineers; while they reassuring the President that Apollo would reach and land on the moon by this summer the President seemed worried. He starts to inquire about the newly formed Apollo Applications Program and what it can do to help keep America in the lead.

Apollo 11 lands on the moon in July bringing the first human there! President Nixon in a televised address to the nation says America is up to the Soviets challenge and will soon set up a Luna base.

The President adds billions back in to the 1970 NASA budget and works with Democrats and Republicans to get it passed. The new budget returns spending for the space program is returned to the 1966 level or about .5% of the GDP.

While still concerned about deficits he cut Vietnam War spending and rolled back some funding from the Health and Human Services (welfare) he sells the plan as a Nation Security Initiative.

Apollo 12 lands on the moon in November.

The Soviets use the manned Soyuz 7K-LOK launched from a Lenin N1 rocket in a trip around the moon on Christmas similar to Apollo 8 one year earlier...they announce a plan for a moon base in two more years and trips to both Venus and Mars soon after.

The 1970's
1970

The Soviets announced their 8th Five Year Plan to run from 1971 -1975 in the plan it includes a moon base and a manned flyby of Venus. Out of concern because of American economic power, the Soviets cut back on defense spending; this move surprises the world and shows how serious they have become in regards to the space race.

A third Soviet mission to the moon is a success.

During his first State of the Union Address, President Nixon outlines his agenda for the coming year it includes, in addition to his space initiatives, an educational plan to expand scholarships for students seeking a science or engineering degree. His plan will also have provisions to increase high school graduation rates for Africa-American students with the hope those rates matching those of whites by 1975. Senator Edward Brooke, America's only black Senator will lead this committee. The President sees these initiatives as crucial if America is to keep up with the Soviet Union with its larger population base.

April 11, the Apollo 13 mission is a partial failure due to an oxygen explosion in the service module; it makes it back to earth safely. The President orders an around the clock investigation to find the fault of the accident; he also states this event will not deter or slow down the space program. Privately he wonders if the Soviet were involved.

The Soviet Union becomes the second nation to land on the moon in late April. It releases a plan for 15 more Luna missions over the next 18 months and a base on the moon surface soon after.

In response to the Soviets plan, the USA orders a second block of Saturn V rockets to be uses for further exploration of the moon. These rockets will bring the total American missions to 21 by the end of 1971, barring further accidents

The United States selects the Saturn V-D (700,000 lbs to LEO) with is almost three times the payload of the Saturn V (220,000 lbs to LEO) to be built for delivery in the second half of 1971. The design will be the precursor to the Saturn V-D(R), a rocket with a first stage that is fully reusable. It is now under preliminary design by Wernher Von Braun America's top rocket engineer.

The Soviets quickly plan a new N-2 rocket with a similar payload as the Saturn V-D.

By the end of 1970 both the USA and the USSR have dramatically increased their respective space programs; largely at the expense of their Nation Defense.

1971

President Nixon initiates a policy of Detente with the Soviet Union. It quickly leads to the SALT I Treaty to reduce nuclear warheads.

The USSR launches a simple 2 man Salyut Space Station and within days a 2 man moon base capable of supporting the men for up to 15 days before resupplying is needed. These are both firsts for the space race and restores pride and hope to the Soviet people that they can keep up with the Americas.

The American public and the Nixon administration are shocked at the speed of the Soviet deployments of hardware. However, top NASA officials and Soviet experts at the Pentagon believe it was designed for shock value, to prove to the world and its own people it is still a space power to be reckoned with.

The United States successfully launches its new Saturn V-D rocket in May, three months earlier than planned; on it was the first module for America's first space station. In a series of tests conducted by the Von Braun group of researches, using modified Saturn I-B rockets are making some headway into producing a craft that is capable of a soft landing back on its launch pad so it can be reused. The biggest problem is slow processing speed of early microchips that are needed to control the craft, either remotely or automatically, on its return descent. NASA in response to this problem starts a High Speed Computer Grant Program in the hope that it can quickly develop faster processes to meet its needs.

In late December, the United States launches the last of its eight 600,000lbs modules for its space station, which has room for a total of 30 scientists and workers.

1972

The Soviets start to rapidly launch more Salyut space station components in the hope of matching the American new station; though one of its Lenin N-1 rockets exploded with a solar array on board leaving its station under power for a few months it is undeterred in its plans to build and expand its different space projects.

The United States orders 30 upgraded Saturn I-B (R), the upgrade includes the craft being reusable, able to carry a larger payload, and has a winged flyback craft able to carry up to 8 passengers. This fleet allows America the ablity to travel to LEO on a daily bases and eliminates the need to use the heavy Saturn V to carry people in LEO.

The USA puts six 2 man stations on the moon, capable of missions as long as three months before resupply is needed; the mission is to survey their site, to help NASA choose the location of a permanent underground Luna base. It is also developing the ability to drill in a vacuum, to be able to dig it.

The United States launches an unmanned research station to the Lagrangian points  at the L1  location which directly faces towards the sun. They are doing this to test the effects of long term exposure to open space and solar radiation so they can learn how to protect astronauts on interplanetary trips. It does have live animals on it for research. They will be used in various experimental shielding tests. The shielding tests will including water, plastic, lead and different metals. It will require resupply every three months and it is up to date the farthest animals or humans have gone in space.

The United States constructs a small submarine with 6 volunteers on it; the sub is largely automatic and travels very slowly. It is supplied with food and water in the way that a ship on an interplanetary journey would be; it will put them in constant danger and under stress with the fear of the loss the sub. Many see this simulation as ridicules but understanding the problems of long term space travel must be understood better before sending people into deep space when it is too late. The Soviets have done similar test for over 500 days in locked rooms but there was no real ship to run and their lives were not at risk.

The USSR starts to scrap some of its ICBM's for parts in support of it various space operations. The move seen by many as desperation is, by many others, seen as brilliant as it saves them billions in maintenance costs from these idle rockets. The USA copies this move and will rely on its bomber force if a war were to break out.

The first Nuclear Thermal Rockets are tested by the Soviet Union in October. This new rocket will not be used as part of a launch system from earth; instead it will be permanently kept in orbit at the Soviet space sta tion. It is designed to move payloads from LEO into a trans-Luna or interplanetary trajectory.

The United S tates was planning a similar test with it NERVA rocket, for early 1973 and in response to the Soviet test pushes the timetable to coincide with the election in November.

President Nixon is reelected in a landslide.

The first experimental reusable rocket successfully returns to its launch pad and is re-launched in 2 weeks. Congress authorizes NASA to start assembling a Saturn V-D(R) a move that will save billions in launch cost. The savings will go into education programs and a new Nova rocket program to design a new super-rocket with a payload no less than 1,000,000lbs to LEO and be 100% recoverable. It also will start design considerations for a 60 man space shuttle both for delivery by 1977.

1973 

The USSR stuns the world with the first interplanetary trip with a Venus flyby, only four years after their successful moon flyby. This mission is similar to one studied by NASA as part of its Apollo Applications Program in 1970. The President calls on congress to increase NASA's funding and the timetable for America's first interplanetary missions.

With a growing need for nuclear fuel for its space operations, the United States plan to reprocess spent fuel rods. President Nixon names Admiral Hyman Rickover (the father of America's nuclear navy) to head the newly formed Nuclear Regulatory Commission; he will oversee nuclear safety and further development of America's NERVA program.

An oil boycott against America starts because of America's support of Israel during the Yom Kippur War. Nixon introduces major energy efficiency initiatives to end America's reliance on foreign oil.

Vice President Spiro Agnew resigns in October in a scandal; Senator Edward Brooke replaces him as the first African-American Vice President. He is seen as a role model for all minority children and he encourages them to continue to enter the sciences.

After an 18 month search the United States chooses a site in the polar region of the Moon and start to constuct a luna base.

1974

Do to the oil crisis the world falls into a minor recession. President Nixon believes that the Soviets are behind this to derail Americas plan to follow them to Venus.

America's rail system (Amtrak) formed 3 years earlier will start running bullet trains by 1980. This move is popular because of raising cost of aircraft due to the space program and the increase in the cost of oil. The United States passes a law requiring 90% of all oil to be produced in America. As shortages will force prices up it will also force innovation and greater fuel mileage.

The Soviets start to constuct a luna base.

The United States performs a flyby mission to both Venus and Mercury in a newly designed long range ship capable of carrying 6 people. The ship has several times the living space per person then the Apollo ships a decade earlier and twice the space of the Soviet craft. This mission marks the first women to travel beyond earth-moon system.

Computer processing speed has quadrupled in the last 2 years, double Moore's Law (which is the doubling of transistors ever two years on a computer chip; this rate of increase goes back many years), due to heavy funding by NASA. This improved computer preformance greatly helps in numerous projects.

Vietnam receives an emergency aid package of oil and economic help due to a recession caused by the oil crises.

The cost for travel to LEO has fallen over 90%, making it cheaper for an increasing number a companies willing to do business in LEO.

1975

Microrocket is formed by Bill Gates and Paul Allen; they hope to exploit the rapidly evolving electromagnetic catapult technology, like many others, and to build a launch system for earth and the moon without the use of chemical rockets.

The United States travels to Mars and stays in orbit for 3 months. It test a "lander" and a return craft both which are total successes.

The United States and the Soviet Union flatly reject the proposed Apollo–Soyuz Test Project. Each believes the other is trying to steal their technology

South Vietnam is invaded by North Vietnam but they are held off with the help of US air power. The Soviets refuse to send help to their old ally. It is believed, by the CIA, that the Soviets are unable to help due to reduced spending in their defense budget. The North did not believe the US would intervene because of the Case-Church Amendment, however; Nixon's personal pleading for the South Vietnamese changes the law and allows resumption of bombing and support.

The North falls, after the South for the first time invades the North, and captures Hanoi.

Lynette Alice "Squeaky" Fromme shot President Nixon on September 5th. Fromme was a follower of Charles Manson who was serving a life term in prison. Nixon was in a coma and Doctors did not believe he would recover. Vice President Edward Brooke is sworn in as the nation's first black President.

The first super computer capable of 100 megahertz is the Cray-1 came online December 31

1976

The Soviet Union reaches Mars in May, just as the Americas are leaving. Unlike the Americans who spent their time in orbit the Soviet came prepared to land on Phobos, the larger of the two Martian moons.

Jimmy Carter is elected President. President Brooke which was defeated; had not planned to run for the Presidency but was pressured by many to do so. That last minute entry into the election split the party when former Governor Ronald Reagan feeling cheated runs as an independent.

China invades Vietnam due to the massive amount of refugees pouring into their country; they are fleeing' out of fear of southern troops. Vietnamese holds of the Chinese invaders with the help of American air reconnaissance.

Elvis Presley visits Former President Nixon after he comes out of his coma. Elvis is motivated to "clean-up" his own act and get off of drugs. He founds the Elvis Presley Center, to help others with substance abuse.

The Soviet Union test the N-3 a new super-heavy lift reusable rocket with a payload of 1,100,000lbs to LEO.

President Brooke visits Vandenberg Air force base, with Nixon, to witness a test of a new Scramjet (supersonic combustion ramjet), the first of its kind. President Brooke during a speech said the development of this engine took almost as long as Apollo and cost almost twice as much due to the complexities and technological challenges. The new jet was tested on a modified S-R 71 Blackbird, the only plane that could go fast enough for the scramjet to work.

Premier Brezhnev introduces major reforms to the Soviet Union; the reforms will be under the direction of Central Committee Member Mikhail Gorbachev the program is called Perestroika.

1977 The United States successfully launch its new shuttle, 6 months early and under budget! The SSTO (single-stage-to-orbit) rocket can carry 36 passengers and a larger stretch version with a capacity of 60 passengers will be tested later in the year.

The NERVA rocket, after 5 years of successful use in the United States, will be replaced. The Carter administration has plans to develop the next generation high-speed nuclear rocket. It will be a salt water core design and expected to take 10 years to develop. It was also announced that NASA will start testing an ion engine in orbit next year. The ion rocket will help move cargo to the moon or the various space stations in orbit. The ion rocket has the potential to replace thermal nuclear rockets but many more decades of testing will be needed.

The United States introduces its new heavy lift reusuable rocket in July. The ship is based on an early Rombus design from the early 60's. It can lift 1,200,000lbs to LEO.

China is routed by the Vietnamese army in its counter-attack in September. While the Chinese army blames the American, to avoid humiliation in the eyes of its people, most politicians know the Americans had nothing to do with it. In- fighting suggest that a civil war may be brewing.

The CIA briefs the President that a revolution may be gaining strength in Iran. The agency recommends that discussions with the Shah should warn them and offer help. With a candor talk with the Iranians about the limits of American power due to the Space Race. The Shah's government after internal talks starts to reform his country.

The United States dedicates it first Luna base (simply called Alpha base). It has a population of 60 and will continue to expand. One important mission will be to produce oxygen for use as a rocket fuel. Microrocket will set up a shop to start testing its electromagnetic catapult launch system.

1978

The Brookings Institution, one of the nation's oldest think tanks, estimates that NASA and other space based government agencies collectively are spending around 2.0% of the GDP and they have quadrupled over the last 10 years. They also pointed out the defense's share of the nation's GDP has fallen by 20% over the same period. They predict that space programs will match then pass defense within the next decade. Finally, their study found that several million jobs have been created due to investment in the space programs and private industry's investment in space is likely to surpass total government spending in the near future.

The USA and Mexico have agreed to a guest worker program and a trade pact, hoping to better coordinate their economies. While the United States needs workers to do its menial work and Mexico needs American investments in its economy. The agreement is seen as a "win-win" for the two neighbors.

After the Chinese withdrawal from the border regions, the Vietnamese economy has started to boom with strong investments from the United States and Japan. The Philippine government also noted that immigration to the United States from the Philippines have increased to record level.

The European Space Agency (ESA) launched its first manned rocket, after a delay of two years. Though it is somewhat primitive by US and Soviet standards; it is viewed as a total success.

Iran invade Afghanistan after a bitter border dispute, while some believe the Shah government used the dispute to focus the population on something other than the poor economy, the government said it is for the protection of its rights. Either way it seems to have worked; as street demonstrations have dropped.

Microrocket starts to catapult small payloads into space from a test facility in New Mexico. It also received a government grant to design at mass driver system for the moon. The Americans hope to start produce rocket fuel for its orbital travel needs without the cost of transporting from Earth. The escape velocity of the moon is 2.4km/s compared to Earths 11.2km/s and without an atmosphere to drag it down.

1979

President Carter visits Three Mile Island in early June with Admiral Rickover of the NRC. Three Mile Island is viewed as an example of excellent work in improving safety at a nuclear power plant. The President said that the NRC estimates that over 30% of the nation's electricity now comes from nuclear energy and the that county is likely to be twice that amount by the end of the century.There was a small anti-nuclear group protesting but most American now believe it is safe, especially since Rickover started to reform the Agency years earlier.

An Iranian exile returns to Iran in September but the Ayatollah Khomeini fails to gather support in Iran which is still engaged in a war with Afghanistan. Khomeini returns to his exile in France.

The United States lands on Mars a little over 10 years after reaching the moon. It will survey the poles for water and life for 6 months. With the human space population approaching 500 (150 on Moon, rest in orbital stations), many believe it is only a matter of time before travel to space and to Mars will be common place.

The first American Bullet trains runs between New York and Boston. Its top speed is 185 MPH. Over 10,000 miles of track are planned to be built over the next twenty years.

The 1980's
1980 

European Space Agency tests a heavy lift rocket from in newly opened base in French Guiana.

Former President Nixon endorses George Bush for the Presidency. Chinese Military Commanders in South China reject responsiblity for the lose in Vietnam. Bejing had called for them to step down.

Bejing orders the arrest of several key Southern Generals. Loyal troops to the southern Generals prevent the arrests. China falls into disarry as cities in the south decide if they want to join the growing ranks the rebellion.

Microrocket start testing Mass Driver on the moon. Expansion of Alpha Base has double the the population in the past year it is now 200. Several sites on the moon are being studied for Helium-3 extraction. Helium-3 is rare on Earth but is important for possible fuel in a fusion reactor.

George Bush is elected President; Shirley Temple Black is the first women Vice President. Ambassador Black was picked because of her position as US Ambassador to the UN World Space Committee (formed in 1975) and knowledge in all space related matters.

Loyal troops to the Chinese Central Committee attack key cities in the south. Taiwan offers military help to the south.

1981

NASA and Euopean Space Agency signs an agreement to help Europe build a reusable rocket. The Soviets respond by helping the Warsaw Pact nation form their own Space Agency inderpendent of Moscow. The Japanese economy collapses due to foreign withdrawal of assets and stock market collapse. Investers are nerves because of the growing China Crises.

Former President Nixon joins the Bush administration as a Special Advisor in Space Policy.

Microrocket delivers 220,000 lbs of rocket fuel to LEO refueling station. With a working Mass Driver System on the Moon the Americans start to develop megastructure building technologies and design a Standford Torus.

The Soviet Union breaks ground on a Mass Driver system on the moon. The system is almost identical to Microrocket's system starting major accusation of theft or spying. The FBI and CIA both start to investigate out of National security concerns.

Civil War breaks out in China after a full assult against southern cities. Taiwan help southern forces with its powerful air forces.

1982

The Soviet Union starts to build a Radio Telescope on the dark side of the moon. This is the first attempt to construct a telescope on the moon and the first stucture of any kind on the dark side.

America increase troop level to South Korea, Japan, and the Phillipines in response to Soviet troop increases along the border of China and Russia. They claim this is in response to the Chinese Civil War. Many believe the USSR may intervene on behalf of the Chinese Communists. It is the biggest flare-up of Cold War tensions since a Yom Kippur War.

The US Department of Education announces a shortage of students entering into law and business programs. However, graduation rates are nearly identical amounst the Nation's ethnic groups and science degree programs are thiving.

An American probe in the asteriod belt finds an asteroid made of mostly water. Plans to move the asteroid are formulated.

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The United States demostrates the ability to smelt ore under zero gravity condition, both Iron and Aluminium have been extracted from Luna ore. This ability it is believed will start a new industrial revolution in space.

The United States Space Acedemy graduates its first class with 1500 cadets graduating. A young african- american man named Barack Obama is the first Valedictorian during his speech he cites former Presidents Edward Brooke and Richard Nixon as his inspirations for entering into the sciences.

Iranian troops defeat the last Afghan forces in the 5 year war between their two countries.

Ithacus

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