In the 1960s, Ranger, Surveyor and Lunar Orbiter spacecraft collected data on the Moon by orbiting, landing on, and crashing into our nearest celestial neighbor. During these programs, thirteen robotic spacecraft transmitted detailed images of the Moon, probed the strength and composition of the lunar surface, and searched for landing sites for the first human explorers. These missions were set as a corner stone experiments in progress for the great achievement. By having the multiple missions before Apollo, the United States were able to show progress to their nation and the world showing that they were not far behind in the space race. This gave the impression that the United States was soon to be able to conquer the feat in which no man has ever accomplished before. Collecting the intel from the previous missions made the progress of landing a man on the moon successful. Although not mentioned in Kennedys speech, they were able to play an important part as the costs that were to be applied in order to reach the vision that Kennedy had when stating the goal of landing a man on the moon. This created future destinations in which modern day exploration is still impacted by his influence till this day.
Concurrent with the scientific study of the Moon, human exploration of space began. Project Mercury, spearheaded by astronaut Alan