This unit provides an introduction to Florida’s involvement in the Space Age through photographs, lesson plans, and exercises. It connects teachers and students to resources from the State Library and Archives, as well as other sites that help foster a deeper understanding of the changes NASA brought to Florida's landscape.
Cape Canaveral, Florida, was geographically very well suited as the location for America’s spaceport. It was a sparsely populated strip of flat land facing the ocean. Railroads and ships could bring in the materials to build the launch pad and space station. The Caribbean islands were near enough for monitoring and communication stations.
This film starts with a wonderful Mercury launch sequence. It shows a thriving aerospace industry in its prime. Viewers see an unsuccessful launch, lots of technology of the day (including transistor pocket radios) and 12 gallons of gas for $3.60. The film shows recreation, educational centers, and corporations and their space-related products. It describes the economic, cultural and population boom. Viewers see tactical missile launches and astronaut medical test equipment.
