If we continue at this leisurly pace, we will have to pass Russian customs when we land on the moon.

Conquering the universe one has to solve two problems: gravity and red tape. We could have mastered gravity.

The first men who set out for Mars had better make sure they leave everything at home in apple-pie order. They won't get back to earth for more than two and a half years. The difficulties of a trip to mars are formidable. . . . What curious information will these first explorers carry back from Mars? Nobody knows-and its extremely doubtful that anyone now living will ever know. All that can be said with certainty today is this: the trip will be made, and will be made . . . someday.

I have learned to use the word 'impossible' with the greatest caution.

In order for us to use the very best judgment possible in spending the taxpayer's money intelligently, we just have to do a certain amount of this research and development work ourselves. We just have to keep our own hands dirty to command the professional respect of the contractor personnel engaged with actual design, shop and testing work.

The same forces of nature which enable us to fly to the stars, enable us also to destroy our star.

It takes sixty-five thousand errors before you are qualified to make a rocket.