Skip to content
Is it ethical to circumvent safeguarding in order to increase efficiency?How safe is safe enough?What amount of governmental oversight in NASA is appropriate?How can public opinion of NASA be conserved?How can the US maintain its role as a global superpower through this race?How much funding is appropriate to invest into such programs?Who can decide how funding is allocated in NASA?
NASA
Agenda: Developing appropriate safety protocols during the Space Race
Chairperson’s Letter:
Meet Your Chairpersons!
Amrita
Dear Delegates,
A warm welcome to the Schoolhouse 2026 MUN! We’re so excited to have you here! A little about me; I was an adjudicator for the Schoolhouse 2025 Debate Tournament, as well, with nearly five years of Public Forum Debate experience, as well as the Head of Logistics of the nonprofit organization Asian Voices 4 Tomorrow! You’ll find me on Schoolhouse as a User Support Specialist. I’ve also conducted research on the effects of music therapy on older women with Alzheimer’s Disease, interviewing a music therapist at Johns Hopkins Medicine, published it on a student-run journal, and presented my research regarding the optimization of hemorrhagic stroke rehabilitation over current stroke prediction technology in two conferences!
I speak for Siddh when I say that we’re always happy to answer any questions that you have regarding MUN and the NASA Committee; it’s okay if you don’t have experience, we’re beginner-friendly and here to help you every step of the way! I’m so excited to see what amazing topics you’ll have to present to us, and we wish you the very best! :)
Siddh
Delegates,
Welcome to Schoolhouse 2026 MUN, I am so glad you chose to participate in the NASA Committee!
I am currently a senior in high school from Michigan, and I have been involved in Model UN since my freshman year. I am currently the president of my school’s club and am on the Junior Varsity All American Model UN team. I previously chaired the UNGA committee for last year’s Schoolhouse MUN and served as the Undersecretary General for De Tenebris MUN’s Organization of Turkic States. Outside of MUN, I am a stage manager for my school’s theatre company, an intern for the neurology research company ThinkNeuro, and serve on my local government youth council.
I am so excited to be pioneering the first specialized committee with you guys in Schoolhouse MUN history. This topic is complex and requires you to consider both safety regulation as well as government prioritization. I can’t wait to see how you use your debate, collaboration, and ingenuity to come with a unique solution. If you ever have any questions throughout the process, do not hesitate to reach out to Amrita or me. We’re here to help!
With that, let’s get ready for take off!
Background Guide
Context:
During the mid-20th century, the US and the Soviet Union had high tensions between each other due to the contrast present between their political, social, and economic ideologies. While these tensions mounted, the threat of a third World War captured the global stage. Neither nation wanted to create such a conflict that could result in mass destruction particularly with the advent of nuclear weaponry; however, each feared the other would. This resulted in accelerated military production in both nations in order to account for such a risk, putting many in and out of both nations in perpetual fear of a war, a period known as the Arms Race.
Around this time, space had become a key topic of interest for many scientists, and ideas regarding it being the next facilitator of war began to appear. This resulted in the Arms Race branching out into the Space Race. The first key inciter of this was on the 2nd of August in 1955 where the USSR responded to US officials’ plans of launching the first artificial satellite with their own. This ultimately led to the USSR launching this satellite before the US on the 4th of October in 1957 and following it up by sending a dog into space in the following month.
A year later, the US was able to follow suit with their own satellite and the establishment of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration. Through these initiatives, they were able to develop SCORE, a communication satellite, as well as Explorer 6, a weather satellite. However, during this time, the USSR successfully launched Luna 2 to the surface of the moon. Perhaps most crucially, they were able to return 2 dogs from space aboard Sputnik 5. This committee will be set in April of 1961, just after the USSR had a man complete orbit.
Politically, this puts the US in a challenging position. They are falling behind in this race, which seems to threaten democracy globally. Many politicians are desperate to push for some achievements to have further leverage in this ever-pressing issue. One primary goal for the nation was to send a man in-orbit similar to the USSR. This initiative was titled Project Mercury and was established in 1958 and had nearly $300 million invested in order to complete the project and at the time of the committee has not been completed yet. This project was considered essential to maintaining the US’s role in the Space Race.
The Problem:
Project Mercury is viewed as particularly important politically. By any means possible, nearly the entire nation is united in wanting it complete. However, this desire results in significant pressure for many individuals at NASA to complete this project. This brings in to question what safety protocols are needed to maintain the sanctity of the project and the life on the ship.
Such minimum qualities are often called safety thresholds, the bare minimum to be considered safe. These guidelines may be altered in times of crisis, and many consider the situation as crucial for the nation to the point of necessitating it. NASA needs to decide the necessary protocols for this project and what corners may be necessary to cut to ensure an appropriate level of efficiency.
Positions:
Naturally with any issue that requires significant investment and is politically relevant, there are a variety of positions within this issue.
Many officials on the political side are more interested in ensuring they have a faster response to the USSR to guarantee a political upper ground. They may want to expedite the process or invest more funding in order to move the country to a more advantageous position in the race. Members of this group also may be interested in imaging and presenting themselves in a way that can indicate progress to not only its citizens but other nations.
On other hand, many individuals are particularly concerned with the safety of any passenger who would board a space craft and request increased timelines in order to ensure this happens. Regardless of the nation’s position in the Space Race, safety remains a priority for these characters, and making sure appropriate safeguards are put into place is necessary for them. The discrediting of USSR’s space programs may be also a key point for some of these individuals as this can increase their favorability within the eyes of the American citizens.
A concern that both perspectives need to consider is the idea that space investments are not necessary of worth to the country. Whatever solution is being considered needs to be one that is able to convince the American people of its worth on a larger scale.
Timeline of Key Events:
1945: The beginning of the Cold War is widely considered to occur around this time. The US and the USSR disagree on how Europe should recover after World War II. At the same time, a fear of communism begins to spread in the US, known as the Red Scare.
1947: The Truman Doctrine is created by the US, supporting all democratic nations who may become communist. The USSR created ComInform, an alliance of communist nations.
1948: The Marshall Plan is created, further support countries that were considered “at-risk” at becoming communist. The USSR attempts to weaken West Germany by cutting off resources, resulting in the UK, France, and US using airlifts to deliver supplies
1949: The Arms Race begins as the USSR tests its first atomic bomb. Alliances including NATO and Comecon are developed by both nations in order to develop support for their forms of government.
1950: The Korean War serves as a means of showcasing the rivalry between the USSR and the US as the USSR supports the North in beginning an invasion while the US provides troops to the South.
1955: The US and USSR makes claims that they would launch satellites into space.
Oct. 1957: The USSR launches Sputnik 1. This satellite is the first Earth-orbiting satellite in history.
Nov. 1957: The USSR sends the first living organism into orbit: a dog named Laika aboard Sputnik 2.
Jan. 1958: Explorer 1, an Earth-orbiting satellite, is launched by the US. This serves as the beginning of the Space Race.
Oct. 1958: The US creates the National Aeronautics and Space Administration to increase their activity in developing space exploration technology.
Dec. 1958: SCORE is launched by the US, the first communication satellite in the world. This was commemorated through a Christmas message from the President Eisenhower being broadcasted from space.
Jan. 1959: The USSR launches the Luna 1 meant to reach the Moon, but it has too much speed. This results in it leaving the orbit of the Earth but instead entering the orbit of the Sun.
Aug. 1959: The first weather satellite is launched by the US, Explorer 6.
Sept. 1959: Luna 2 is the first spacecraft to reach the surface of the moon after being launched by the USSR.
Oct. 1959: The USSR launches Luna 3, successfully orbiting the Moon and capturing photos of the far side of the Moon.
Aug. 1960: Sputnik 5 is launched by the USSR and contains two dogs. These animals as well as a few plants are the first to be returned alive from space.
Jan. 1961: The US sends the first great ape, a chimpanzee, into space, and it successfully survives.
Apr. 1961: The first man completes a single orbit around the Earth: Yuri Gagarin from the Soviet Union.
Other Considerations:
As a specialized committee, you may be faced with updates or crises throughout the course of committee. These could involve updates from the USSR’s space program, public outcries, internal coups, and more. It’s important that delegates be prepared to handle unexpected situations like these during debate and think creatively and efficiently to address them in any resolutions.
Q. A. R. M. A:
These questions are just thought-starters for your initial debate. A resolution may answer all, some, or none of these questions as it sees fit.
Character Profiles
Portfolio
Title
Arnold W. Frutkin
Director of International Programs, NASA Headquarters
Paul G. Dembling
Director of NASA’s Office of General Counsel
Abraham Hyatt
Director of Program Planning and Evaluation
Hiden T. Cox
Director of Legislative Affairs, NASA
R. P. Young
Executive Assistant, NASA Headquarters
James E. Webb
Administrator of NASA
Marvin W. Robinson
Deputy Director of International Programs, NASA
Dr. T. Keith Glennen
Former NASA Administrator (1958–Jan 1961)
John A. Johnson
General Counsel, NASA
Dr. Brainerd Holmes
Director of Manned Space Flight
Robert Seamans
Associate Administrator, NASA
Edward Welsh
NASA Official (involved in external or public service; likely Public Affairs/Information)
Robert McNamara
Secretary of Defense (influential on DoD-NASA coordination)
Dr. Jerome Wiesner
Science Advisor to the President (influenced national science/space policy)
Homer E. Newell
Director of Space Sciences, NASA
Dean Rusk
U.S. Secretary of State (oversaw international space diplomacy)
Gordon Cooper
NASA Mercury Astronaut
Joseph Karth
U.S. Representative (member of Congressional space/appropriations committees)
Emilio Daddario
U.S. Representative (often involved in space policy oversight)
Victor Anfuso
U.S. Representative (involved in science/federal committees)
McGeorge Bundy
National Security Advisor (oversaw broader national space strategy)
Olin Teague
U.S. Representative (championed NASA funding & science)
Alan Shepard
NASA Mercury Astronaut
John Glenn
NASA Mercury Astronaut
Deke Slayton
NASA Astronaut & later Chief of the Astronaut Office
Gus Grissom
NASA Mercury Astronaut
Ken Hechler
U.S. Representative (supporter of space exploration funding)
Wally Schirra
NASA Mercury Astronaut
Scott Carpenter
NASA Mercury Astronaut
Joseph V. Charyk
Director of the National Reconnaissance Office (NRO) & Under Secretary of the Air Force
Robert Kerr
U.S. Senator (space & science policy ally)
David S. King
U.S. Representative (member space/science oversight committees)
Albert Thomas
U.S. Representative (Chair of Appropriations subcommittee relevant to NASA funding)
Barry Goldwater
U.S. Senator (leader on Senate space & defense matters)
Clinton P. Anderson
U.S. Senator (supported science & space funding)
Margaret Chase Smith
U.S. Senator (influential on committee oversight)
Styles Bridges
U.S. Senator (senior on Armed Services & space support)
Overton Brooks
U.S. Representative (on Defense/space related committees)
Stuart Symington
U.S. Senator (former Air Force leadership, big space advocate)
Thomas F. Dixon
Special Assistant (NASA Administrative office)
Boyd Myers II
Aerospace or NASA administrative official
Donald H. Heaton
NASA administrative/oversight role
John D. Young
NASA administrator or office director
Stephen J. Grillo
NASA technical or program official
William A. Fleming
Director of NASA’s Technical Resource Programs
Ira H. Abbott
Director of Advanced Research and Technology, NASA Research Division
Harold B. Finger
Manager of NASA’s Space Nuclear Propulsion Office (SNPO) / Assistant Director for Nuclear Applications
Gerald M. Treszynski
NASA administrative or program official
Hugh L. Dryden
Deputy Administrator of NASA
Franklyn W. Phillips
Assistant to the Administrator, NASA
James A. Hootman
Executive Secretary to the Administrator, NASA
Robert L. Lacklen
Director of Personnel, NASA Headquarters
H. R. Gross
U.S. Representative (R-IA)
William E. Lilly
NASA technical/administrative official
Robert L. Bell
NASA administrative or engineering role
Thomas E. Jenkins
NASA program support official
Morris Tepper
NASA administrative / sector coordinator
Leonard Jaffe
NASA aerospace support official
Thomas L.K. Smull
NASA administrative or operations official
There are no rows in this table
References and Resources
Want to print your doc?
This is not the way.
This is not the way.
Try clicking the ··· in the right corner or using a keyboard shortcut (
CtrlP
) instead.