National Space Club
The National Space Club is a non-profit corporation in the US which contains representatives of industry, government, educational institutions and private individuals in order to enhance the exchange of information on astronautics, and to relay this information to the public. It provides scholarships and internships to students, and encourages educational space based activities. The Club promotes space leadership by the United States, the advancement of space technology, and recognizes and honors people who have contributed significantly to the fields of rocketry and astronautics. The Club fulfills these objectives with scholarships, grants, internships, luncheons, the Goddard Memorial Dinner, and newsletters.
Origin
The National Space Club, originally established as the National Rocket Club, was conceived in 1957 by Erik Bergaust in response to the Soviet Union’s launch of Sputnik, which had sent shockwaves through the western world. Bergaust recognized that the United States needed an organization that could mobilize national efforts and accelerate the country’s involvement in the Space Race. He warned:"Until recently, top-level officials considered space flight a dirty word. These officials refused to listen to the scientists and engineers who predicted years ago that the nation which controlled space would control the world peace. These officials, I hope, will soon begin to see the light."
Erik Bergaust, a Norwegian-born U.S. citizen, was a leading authority on rocket and missile development and astronautics. As a member of President Eisenhower’s Information Advisory Group on Scientists and Engineers, he was a leader in national discussions on space exploration. He was the executive editor of the influential Missiles and Rockets magazine, president of the American Rocket Society, director of the Aviation Writers Association, and host of Defense Desk a radio show in Washington, D.C. He had authored several books and numerous articles on rockets and missiles as well as being the missile science editor for American Aviation.
Bergaust's close friend, Wernher von Braun, had also been searching for ways to promote the expansion of America’s space development. Von Braun, who had been brought to the United States after leading the development of the V-1 and V-2 rocket programs in World War II Germany, was increasingly alarmed by the slow pace of the U.S. space program. He feared that without urgent action, the United States would soon lag significantly behind the Soviet Union.
Another co-founder was Nelson P Jackson, a friend and collaborator of Bergaust and von Braun who shared their commitment to advancing the United States' role in the Space Race. At the time, he was an attorney specializing in space law and had written papers on “Education for the Space Age” and “The Law of Outer Space.” He was also a member of the American Rocket Society and the Institute of the Aeronautical Sciences. Bergaust and von Braun considered Jackson the ideal candidate to serve as the Club's first president due to his extensive experience and connections. He was a highly decorated Air Force colonel, involved in the military atomic energy program, had served with the Joint Chiefs of Staff., and was the D.C. manager for GE's Atomic Energy Division. His background positioned him as the ideal figure to bridge the interests of government, the military, private industry, and the public. Jackson would serve as the Club's president from January 1958 until his untimely death in a plane crash in November 1960.
One of Bergaust’s colleagues at Missiles and Rockets, Norman L. Baker, was also instrumental in founding the Club. He had previously been a Development Engineer at Boeing, contributing to the Bomarc Missile Program and was credited with the initial proposal for the development of a Space Shuttle vehicle back in October 1955. He had also founded Space Publications, a publishing company covering the defense and aerospace industry through newsletters, such as the Defense Daily and Soviet Aerospace.
Formation and History
Bergaust’s primary goal for the Club was to capture Washington’s attention on the urgency of the Space Race by staging high-profile events similar to those organized by the Air Force Association. He envisioned banquets filled with dignitaries, extensive media coverage, military color guards, and a grand spectacle designed to command the focus of political and scientific leaders in Washington. Beyond pushing for government action, Bergaust also saw the organization as a platform to honor America’s scientific pioneers—particularly Dr. Robert H. Goddard, whom he regarded as the true hero of spaceflight. He believed that by elevating Goddard’s legacy, the organization could foster national pride and propel the country forward in space exploration.Formation
Within days of conceiving the National Rocket Club, Bergaust reached out to two of his colleagues at Missiles and Rockets magazine, Norman L. Baker and Seabrook Hull, who were two of the most highly regarded space writers of the time, to inform them of the Club’s formation. He outlined plans for an inaugural luncheon within weeks, followed by the first Dr. Robert H. Goddard Memorial Dinner soon after. The highlight of this dinner would be the presentation of the first Dr. Robert H. Goddard Memorial Trophy to Wernher von Braun. The formation of the Club proved to be perfectly timed. In January 1958, just shortly after its establishment, von Braun’s Jupiter-C rocket successfully launched the satellite Explorer 1 into orbit, demonstrating that the United States now had the capability to launch a satellite. This breakthrough catapulted von Braun to national prominence. Time magazine rushed to assemble a cover story on him, while the White House prepared for President Eisenhower to award him the Distinguished Federal Civilian Service Award. With momentum on its side, the National Rocket Club officially launched in spectacular fashion. The first Dr. Robert H. Goddard Memorial Dinner was an immediate success, selling out as top military leaders, scientists, and political figures gathered in black-tie. David Brinkley served as the toastmaster, while Mrs. Esther C. Goddard, widow of Dr. Robert H. Goddard, presented the inaugural Dr. Robert H. Goddard Memorial Trophy to Wernher von Braun.History
Since its first Dr. Robert H. Goddard Memorial Dinner, the National Space Club has been a key gathering place for the space community, fostering discussions on the future of astronautics. The Club has played a significant role in the U.S. space program, uniting astronauts, engineers, scientists, policymakers, and industry leaders. Distinguished figures such as Robert R. Gilruth, William H. Pickering, James Van Allen, James E. Webb, George P. Miller, and Donald W. Douglas, along with many other pioneers of space exploration, have been frequent speakers at Club events. The Club has also had the privilege of hosting Presidents Lyndon B. Johnson, Richard Nixon, Gerald Ford, Jimmy Carter, and Ronald Reagan as honored speakers.Throughout its history, the National Space Club has consistently pursued its mission of fostering national pride among Americans by emphasizing that the United States is the true birthplace of rocket technology, through the pioneering work of Dr. Robert H. Goddard. At the time of the Club's formation, the country still believed that rocket technology originated primarily from German research with their V-1 and V-2 rockets during World War II. However, Wernher von Braun and the German rocket scientists had actually been building upon Goddard’s earlier American research from the early 20th century. Von Braun himself wished for Americans to understand this and often publicly emphasized that his team's achievements in Germany were directly based on Goddard’s prior innovations. The National Space Club, together with other groups, succeeded in making Goddard and his contributions much more widely known to the American public and played a crucial role in renaming the Beltsville Space Center as the Goddard Space Flight Center in his honor. The National Space Club was also directly responsible for Congress officially declaring March 16th 1965 as "Goddard Day," commemorating the date in 1926 that he successfully launched the world's first liquid-propelled rocket.
The Dr. Robert H. Goddard Memorial Dinner and awards
First celebrated in 1958, the Dr. Robert H. Goddard Memorial Dinner is the premier annual event on Washington’s space calendar. Held each year in late March or early April, the dinner coincides with the anniversary of Dr. Robert H. Goddard’s first successful flight of a liquid-fueled rocket. Nearly 2,000 members of the government, military, industry, and academic space community gather to honor significant contributions to space exploration. During the event, awards are presented to individuals for outstanding achievements in spaceflight, engineering, science, management, and education.The awards include:
Dr. Robert H. Goddard Memorial Trophy
The Goddard Memorial Trophy is the most prestigious award given by the National Space Club to honor either a lifetime of achievement or a breakthrough discovery or achievement within the calendar year.List of Dr. Robert H. Goddard Memorial Trophy winners
Nelson P. Jackson Aerospace Memorial Award
The Nelson P. Jackson Aerospace Memorial Award was established in 1960 to honor Nelson P. Jackson, a founder and the first President of the National Space Club. This award is the club’s second most prestigious honor and it recognizes outstanding contributions to advancements in the missile, aircraft, and space fields.List of Nelson P. Jackson Aerospace Memorial Award winners