NASA (National Aeronautics and Space Administration) was established on July 29, 1958. This event did not occur in the text, however, it is worth mentioning because JPL was integrated into NASA later in December. Because of the connection with Parsons' legacy this date is important.

John Whiteside Parsons died on June 17, 1952, at the age of 37, in a home laboratory explosion in Pasadena, California. The death was officially ruled an accident, but many of his associates suspected suicide or murder. This event marked the end of Parsons' life and career, though his contributions to rocketry and occultism continue to be recognized.