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.

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.

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.