History Day – Space
Summary: Over the course of Dole’s political career, the United States was expanding into outer space, exploring its potential for military, scientific, and technological advancements. The expansion of the space program began during the Cold War, when the United States had competing military interests with the USSR. Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin landed on the moon in 1969, signaling US supremacy in space. Even after the USSR’s defeat, the space program continued to expand, with the International Space Station and Mars projects looming in the distance near the end of Dole’s career. Dole’s involvement with the Space Program is catalogued here.
Date Range: 1965 - 1996
Online materials: Correspondence, Booklets, Photographs, Newspaper Clippings, and Official Documentation
Additional materials: Photographs, Booklets, Objects, and additional materials
Viewing: Click a thumbnail to view the item - it will open in a new window.
Title: Sen. Bob Dole speaking with astronaut Sally Ride and Sen. Paula Hawkins
Date: July 1983
Citation: Dole Photograph Collection, 1900-2009, Box 40, Folder 10, Robert J. Dole Institute of Politics Archive and Special Collections, University of Kansas
Title: Elizabeth & Bob Dole with astronaut Sally Ride and Sen. Paula Hawkins
Date: July 1983
Citation: Dole Photograph Collection, 1900-2009, Box 40, Folder 10, Robert J. Dole Institute of Politics Archive and Special Collections, University of Kansas
Title: Rear-view Discovery photo
Date: 1985-09-06
Citation: Dole Photograph Collection, 1900-2009, Box 49, Folder 33, Robert J. Dole Institute of Politics Archive and Special Collections, University of Kansas
Title: Space Shuttle Orbiter Discovery Crew Members
Date: c. 1985
Citation: Dole Photograph Collection, 1900-2009, Box 49, Folder 33, Robert J. Dole Institute of Politics Archive and Special Collections, University of Kansas
Title: Senator Dole and the Discovery Spacecraft Crew
Date: 1984-09-27
Citation: Dole Photograph Collection, 1900-2009, Box 50, Folder 2, Robert J. Dole Institute of Politics Archive and Special Collections, University of Kansas
Title: Bob Dole and astronaut Ronald Evans
Date: c. 1972
Citation: Dole Photograph Collection, 1900-2009, Box 50, Folder 33, Robert J. Dole Institute of Politics Archive and Special Collections, University of Kansas
Title: Dole with Hubble Telescope Crew
Date: c. 1990
Citation: Dole Photograph Collection, 1900-2009, Box 51, Folder 26, Robert J. Dole Institute of Politics Archive and Special Collections, University of Kansas
Title: Memorandum - To: Secretary Rumsfeld - From: Dave Smith - Subject: Mars
Date: 1996-08-22
Citation: Robert J. Dole Presidential Campaign Papers, 1988-1996, Box 164, Folder 29, Robert J. Dole Institute of Politics Archive and Special Collections, University of Kansas
Title: North American Aviation Advertisement
Date: c. 1965-1966
Citation: Robert J. Dole House of Representatives Papers, 1960-1969, Box 61, Folder 7, Robert J. Dole Institute of Politics Archive and Special Collections, University of Kansas
Title: "Heavy Lift Delta"
Date: c. 1988
Citation: Robert J. Dole Republican Leadership Collection, 1985-1996, Box 286, Folder 13, Robert J. Dole Institute of Politics Archive and Special Collections, University of Kansas
Title: "NASA, Space Shuttle Mission STS-31 Press Kit"
Date: c. 1990-04
Citation: Robert J. Dole Republican Leadership Collection, 1985-1996, Box 286, Folder 16, Robert J. Dole Institute of Politics Archive and Special Collections, University of Kansas
Title: National Space Council: 1990 Report to the President
Date: 1991-02-08
Citation: Robert J. Dole Republican Leadership Collection, 1985-1996, Box 286, Folder 18, Robert J. Dole Institute of Politics Archive and Special Collections, University of Kansas
Title: "Space Station Freedom: A Foothold on the Future"
Date: c. 1989
Citation: Robert J. Dole Republican Leadership Collection, 1985-1996, Box 286, Folder 21, Robert J. Dole Institute of Politics Archive and Special Collections, University of Kansas
Title: “Our Men on the Moon - Full Story of Mankind's Greatest Adventure”
Date: c. 1969
Citation: Robert J. Dole Senate Papers-Constituent Relations, 1969-1996, Box 304, Folder 5, Robert J. Dole Institute of Politics Archive and Special Collections, University of Kansas
Title: Correspondence between Senator Dole and Eugene Keck, UFO Expert
Date: 1970-03-12
Citation: Robert J. Dole Senate Papers-Constituent Relations, 1969-1996, Box 304, Folder 6, Robert J. Dole Institute of Politics Archive and Special Collections, University of Kansas
Title: Correspondence between Senator Dole and S.H. Nelson, North American Rockwell
Date: 1972-06-14
Citation: Robert J. Dole Senate Papers-Constituent Relations, 1969-1996, Box 304, Folder 7, Robert J. Dole Institute of Politics Archive and Special Collections, University of Kansas
Title: "Blueprint for the Future"
Date: c. 1971
Citation: Robert J. Dole Senate Papers-Constituent Relations, 1969-1996, Box 304, Folder 7, Robert J. Dole Institute of Politics Archive and Special Collections, University of Kansas
Title: Advisor Coen to Senator Dole Regarding Summary of Presidential Commission's Challenger Report
Date: 1986-07-09
Citation: Robert J. Dole Senate Papers-Legislative Relations, 1969-1996, Box 179, Folder 1, Robert J. Dole Institute of Politics Archive and Special Collections, University of Kansas
Title: Office of Space Science & Applications - Congressional Staff Briefing
Date: 1989-02-08
Citation: Robert J. Dole Senate Papers-Legislative Relations, 1969-1996, Box 344, Folder 7, Robert J. Dole Institute of Politics Archive and Special Collections, University of Kansas
Title: Richard H. Truly NASA Packet
Date: c. 1989
Citation: Robert J. Dole Senate Papers-Legislative Relations, 1969-1996, Box 344, Folder 7, Robert J. Dole Institute of Politics Archive and Special Collections, University of Kansas
Title: “Space Station Freedom”
Date: 1989-02-08
Citation: Robert J. Dole Senate Papers-Legislative Relations, 1969-1996, Box 344, Folder 7, Robert J. Dole Institute of Politics Archive and Special Collections, University of Kansas
Title: “The Soviet Space Challenge”
Date: c. 1987-11
Citation: Robert J. Dole Senate Papers-Legislative Relations, 1969-1996, Box 344, Folder 8, Robert J. Dole Institute of Politics Archive and Special Collections, University of Kansas
Title: “Nothing Succeeds Like Success” McDonnell Douglass Advertisement
Date: c. 1989
Citation: Robert J. Dole Senate Papers-Legislative Relations, 1969-1996, Box 344, Folder 9, Robert J. Dole Institute of Politics Archive and Special Collections, University of Kansas
Title: Talking Points - U.S. Space Policy
Date: c. 1987-1988
Citation: Robert J. Dole Senate Papers-Personal/Political Files, 1969-1996, Box 82, Folder 5, Robert J. Dole Institute of Politics Archive and Special Collections, University of Kansas
Title: Buzz Aldrin's "Starcraft Worlds"
Date: c. 1987
Citation: Robert J. Dole Senate Papers-Personal/Political Files, 1969-1996, Box 82, Folder 5, Robert J. Dole Institute of Politics Archive and Special Collections, University of Kansas
Title: Dole wishes astronaut Sally Ride good luck
Date: 1983-06-17
Citation: Robert J. Dole Senate Papers-Press Related Materials, Box 26, Folder 2, Robert J. Dole Institute of Politics Archive and Special Collections, University of Kansas
Title: Correspondence between Senator Dole and Eldon Steuri
Date: 1965-03-10
Citation: Robert J. Dole House of Representatives Papers, 1960-1969, Box 61, Folder 7, Robert J. Dole Institute of Politics Archive and Special Collections, University of Kansas
Title: “That Great Junk Yard in the Sky”
Date: c. 1965-1966
Citation: Robert J. Dole House of Representatives Papers, 1960-1969, Box 61, Folder 7, Robert J. Dole Institute of Politics Archive and Special Collections, University of Kansas
Title: “Kansan Dreams of Being First Man on the Moon”
Date: 1967-08-20
Citation: Robert J. Dole House of Representatives Papers, 1960-1969, Box 89, Folder 4, Robert J. Dole Institute of Politics Archive and Special Collections, University of Kansas
Title: "The Exploration of Space" Landon Lecture Program
Date: 1990-12-12
Citation: Robert J. Dole Republican Leadership Collection, 1985-1996, Box 286, Folder 12, Robert J. Dole Institute of Politics Archive and Special Collections, University of Kansas
Title: Hutchinson Kansas Cosmosphere & Space Center Expansion, Open Letter
Date: 1992-10-09
Citation: Robert J. Dole Republican Leadership Collection, 1985-1996, Box 380, Folder 22, Robert J. Dole Institute of Politics Archive and Special Collections, University of Kansas
Title: Kansas Space Shuttle Sight [sic]
Date: c. 1971
Citation: Robert J. Dole Senate Papers-Constituent Relations, 1969-1996, Box 5, Folder 14, Robert J. Dole Institute of Politics Archive and Special Collections, University of Kansas
Title: State Called Top Shuttle Prospect
Date: 1971-09-12
Citation: Robert J. Dole Senate Papers-Constituent Relations, 1969-1996, Box 5, Folder 14, Robert J. Dole Institute of Politics Archive and Special Collections, University of Kansas
Title: Salina Wants Shuttle on Bomb Range
Date: 1971-08-21
Citation: Robert J. Dole Senate Papers-Constituent Relations, 1969-1996, Box 5, Folder 14, Robert J. Dole Institute of Politics Archive and Special Collections, University of Kansas
Title: Correspondence between Senator Dole and Chris Rone, Boy Scout
Date: 1975-06-02
Citation: Robert J. Dole Senate Papers-Constituent Relations, 1969-1996, Box 304, Folder 2, Robert J. Dole Institute of Politics Archive and Special Collections, University of Kansas
Title: Correspondence between Senator Dole and Clinton Bailey, 5th Grader
Date: 1969-11-11
Citation: Robert J. Dole Senate Papers-Constituent Relations, 1969-1996, Box 304, Folder 5, Robert J. Dole Institute of Politics Archive and Special Collections, University of Kansas
Title: Correspondence between Senator Dole and David E. Warren, Songwriter
Date: 1969-09-08
Citation: Robert J. Dole Senate Papers-Constituent Relations, 1969-1996, Box 304, Folder 5, Robert J. Dole Institute of Politics Archive and Special Collections, University of Kansas
Title: Correspondence between Senator Dole and Mrs. Ray Stevens
Date: 1969-08-22
Citation: Robert J. Dole Senate Papers-Constituent Relations, 1969-1996, Box 304, Folder 5, Robert J. Dole Institute of Politics Archive and Special Collections, University of Kansas
Title: Correspondence between Senator Dole and Uel C. Ramey, Architect
Date: 1969-07-25
Citation: Robert J. Dole Senate Papers-Constituent Relations, 1969-1996, Box 304, Folder 5, Robert J. Dole Institute of Politics Archive and Special Collections, University of Kansas
Title: Correspondence between Senator Dole and Dr. Lorman Hoopes
Date: 1969-07-29
Citation: Robert J. Dole Senate Papers-Constituent Relations, 1969-1996, Box 304, Folder 5, Robert J. Dole Institute of Politics Archive and Special Collections, University of Kansas
Title: Correspondence between Senator Dole and Dr. Miriam R. Anver
Date: 1969-06-23
Citation: Robert J. Dole Senate Papers-Constituent Relations, 1969-1996, Box 304, Folder 5, Robert J. Dole Institute of Politics Archive and Special Collections, University of Kansas
Title: Correspondence between Senator Dole and the Cadette Girl Scouts of Bird City KS, 1969-03-11
Citation: Robert J. Dole Senate Papers-Constituent Relations, 1969-1996, Box 304, Folder 5, Robert J. Dole Institute of Politics Archive and Special Collections, University of Kansas
Title: Correspondence between Senator Dole and Otis Smith, Boeing VP & GM
Date: 1972-11-29
Citation: Robert J. Dole Senate Papers-Constituent Relations, 1969-1996, Box 304, Folder 7, Robert J. Dole Institute of Politics Archive and Special Collections, University of Kansas
Title: Correspondence between Senator Dole and Rick Regorn, Eugene Russell
Date: 1971-04-22
Citation: Robert J. Dole Senate Papers-Constituent Relations, 1969-1996, Box 304, Folder 7, Robert J. Dole Institute of Politics Archive and Special Collections, University of Kansas
Title: Correspondence between Senator Dole and Dighton, KS 6th Graders
Date: 1972-04-19
Citation: Robert J. Dole Senate Papers-Constituent Relations, 1969-1996, Box 304, Folder 7, Robert J. Dole Institute of Politics Archive and Special Collections, University of Kansas
Title: Correspondence between Senator Dole and William G. White
Date: 1971-07-09
Citation: Robert J. Dole Senate Papers-Constituent Relations, 1969-1996, Box 304, Folder 7, Robert J. Dole Institute of Politics Archive and Special Collections, University of Kansas
Title: Correspondence between Senator Dole and Jon Josserand
Date: 1971-02-18
Citation: Robert J. Dole Senate Papers-Constituent Relations, 1969-1996, Box 304, Folder 7, Robert J. Dole Institute of Politics Archive and Special Collections, University of Kansas
Title: ”Learjet Receives $24.5 Million Contract from Martin Marietta for Space Shuttle”
Date: 1988-12-21
Citation: Robert J. Dole Senate Papers-Legislative Relations, 1969-1996, Box 344, Folder 9, Robert J. Dole Institute of Politics Archive and Special Collections, University of Kansas
Title: Dole Announces "Star Wars" Research Project to KU
Date: 1985-06-03
Citation: Robert J. Dole Senate Papers-Press Related Materials, Box 28, Folder 7, Robert J. Dole Institute of Politics Archive and Special Collections, University of Kansas
Title: Dole Applauds Grant Awarded to KU Space Technology Center
Date: 1985-06-21
Citation: Robert J. Dole Senate Papers-Press Related Materials, Box 28, Folder 7, Robert J. Dole Institute of Politics Archive and Special Collections, University of Kansas
Title: Washington Summit Meeting
Date: 1988-05-01
Citation: Dole Photograph Collection, 1900-2009, Box 34, Folder 45, Robert J. Dole Institute of Politics Archive and Special Collections, University of Kansas
Title: Bob Dole Speaking at Challenger Press Conference
Date: 1986-03-18
Citation: Dole Photograph Collection, 1900-2009, Box 61, Folder 20, Robert J. Dole Institute of Politics Archive and Special Collections, University of Kansas
Title: Bob Dole Speaking at Challenger Press Conference
Date: 1986-03-18
Citation: Dole Photograph Collection, 1900-2009, Box 61, Folder 20, Robert J. Dole Institute of Politics Archive and Special Collections, University of Kansas
Title: “Cooperation for Safety in Space” (and Attached Correspondence between Senator Dole and Harold Luskin)
Date: 1967-06-30
Citation: Robert J. Dole House of Representatives Papers, 1960-1969, Box 89, Folder 4, Robert J. Dole Institute of Politics Archive and Special Collections, University of Kansas
Title: Correspondence between Senator Dole and Laura Ruty, 9th Grader
Date: 1969-10-03
Citation: Robert J. Dole Senate Papers-Constituent Relations, 1969-1996, Box 304, Folder 5, Robert J. Dole Institute of Politics Archive and Special Collections, University of Kansas
Title: Correspondence between Senator Dole and Mercedes Rosebery
Date: 1970-02-27
Citation: Robert J. Dole Senate Papers-Constituent Relations, 1969-1996, Box 304, Folder 6, Robert J. Dole Institute of Politics Archive and Special Collections, University of Kansas
Title: Letter of Appreciation to Senator Dole from James Fletcher, NASA Administrator
Date: 1972-05-18
Citation: Robert J. Dole Senate Papers-Constituent Relations, 1969-1996, Box 304, Folder 7, Robert J. Dole Institute of Politics Archive and Special Collections, University of Kansas
Title: Correspondence between Senator Dole and S.H. Nelson, North American Rockwell
Date: 1971-05-28
Citation: Robert J. Dole Senate Papers-Constituent Relations, 1969-1996, Box 304, Folder 7, Robert J. Dole Institute of Politics Archive and Special Collections, University of Kansas
Title: “North American Rockwell”
Date: c. 1971
Citation: Robert J. Dole Senate Papers-Constituent Relations, 1969-1996, Box 304, Folder 7, Robert J. Dole Institute of Politics Archive and Special Collections, University of Kansas
Title: "We can afford to lead in space . . . can we afford not to?" booklet with letter briefing
Date: 1971-05-04
Citation: Robert J. Dole Senate Papers-Constituent Relations, 1969-1996, Box 304, Folder 7, Robert J. Dole Institute of Politics Archive and Special Collections, University of Kansas
Title: Suggested Talking Points for Senator Robert Dole for Trip to Huntsville, Alabama
Date: c. 1986
Citation: Robert J. Dole Senate Papers-Legislative Relations, 1969-1996, Box 179, Folder 1, Robert J. Dole Institute of Politics Archive and Special Collections, University of Kansas
Title: Advisor Coen to Senator Dole Regarding Challenger Talking Points, Huntsville
Date: 1986-05-26
Citation: Robert J. Dole Senate Papers-Legislative Relations, 1969-1996, Box 179, Folder 1, Robert J. Dole Institute of Politics Archive and Special Collections, University of Kansas
Title: The NASA Commercial Development of Space Program - Presentation to Congressional Staff
Date: 1989-02-08
Citation: Robert J. Dole Senate Papers-Legislative Relations, 1969-1996, Box 344, Folder 7, Robert J. Dole Institute of Politics Archive and Special Collections, University of Kansas
Title: NASA Commercial Programs - A Progress Report, 1988
Date: 1989-02-01
Citation: Robert J. Dole Senate Papers-Legislative Relations, 1969-1996, Box 344, Folder 7, Robert J. Dole Institute of Politics Archive and Special Collections, University of Kansas
Title: Talking Points - U.S. Space Policy
Date: c. 1988
Citation: Robert J. Dole Senate Papers-Legislative Relations, 1969-1996, Box 344, Folder 8, Robert J. Dole Institute of Politics Archive and Special Collections, University of Kansas
Title: Congressional Record - S. Res. 481, The Launch of the Discovery
Date: 1988-09-28
Citation: Robert J. Dole Senate Papers-Legislative Relations, 1969-1996, Box 344, Folder 8, Robert J. Dole Institute of Politics Archive and Special Collections, University of Kansas
Title: ”Space Station Plans Must Include Military Role”
Date: 1983-06-06
Citation: Robert J. Dole Senate Papers-Legislative Relations, 1969-1996, Box 396, Folder 13, Robert J. Dole Institute of Politics Archive and Special Collections, University of Kansas
Title: ”Military's Future in Space: A Matter of War or Peace”
Date: 1982-10-19
Citation: Robert J. Dole Senate Papers-Legislative Relations, 1969-1996, Box 396, Folder 13, Robert J. Dole Institute of Politics Archive and Special Collections, University of Kansas
Title: S. Con. Res. 45 – Religion & NASA
Date: 1969-11-04
Citation: Robert J. Dole Senate Papers-Legislative Relations, 1969-1996, Box 697, Folder 20, Robert J. Dole Institute of Politics Archive and Special Collections, University of Kansas
Title: Letter from Greg Schnacke to Senator Dole about Aldrin
Date: 1987-10-29
Citation: Robert J. Dole Senate Papers-Personal/Political Files, 1969-1996, Box 82, Folder 5, Robert J. Dole Institute of Politics Archive and Special Collections, University of Kansas
Title: Letter from Jake Garn to Senator Dole about S. 407
Date: 1987-03-30
Citation: Robert J. Dole Senate Papers-Personal/Political Files, 1969-1996, Box 361, Folder 5, Robert J. Dole Institute of Politics Archive and Special Collections, University of Kansas
Title: “Challenger – One Year Later”
Date: 1987-01-28
Citation: Robert J. Dole Senate Papers-Press Related Materials, Box 30, Folder 3, Robert J. Dole Institute of Politics Archive and Special Collections, University of Kansas
