During a pivotal press conference, NASA officials announced their selection of the lunar orbit rendezvous (LOR) method for accomplishing the mission to land astronauts on the Moon as part of the Apollo program. The LOR technique involved a spacecraft entering lunar orbit, where it would deploy a Lunar Module to descend to the Moon's surface. After completing their mission, the Lunar Module would ascend back to lunar orbit and rendezvous with the Command Module, allowing astronauts to return safely to Earth. This approach was innovative as it minimized the mass required to be launched from Earth while maximizing safety for crew members during their return journey.

The decision was influenced by the technological advancements and the need for a quick response to the Soviet Union’s initial lead in the space race, which had intensified following their launch of Sputnik. By establishing the LOR method, NASA aimed to achieve President John F. Kennedy’s ambitious goal of landing humans on the Moon before the end of the 1960s. The announcement was made by key figures in NASA, including Administrator James E. Webb and other agency scientists, and it underscored a commitment to exploring beyond Earth and placing the United States at the forefront of space exploration.

This decision represented a shift in operational strategy within the broader context of the Cold War, resulted in significant advancements in spacecraft design, and set the stage for the eventual manned Moon landing in 1969. Furthermore, the LOR approach emphasized the value of modular spacecraft design, which became essential in subsequent missions, and spurred a wave of technological innovation in aerospace engineering, computer science, and materials science needed to support lunar exploration.