EYEWITNESS TO HISTORY

Cape Canaveral During the Space Race

The first of several presentations in the Space Talks series, join Jeff Hessel as he recounts his incredible journey at Cape Canaveral - ground zero of our Space Program. After graduating with an engineering degree, he started his career at the Cape during the height of the Space Race and the time of the Apollo program. The presentation includes history of the Cape, why the location was selected, intense competition with the Soviet Union, rare archival footage of JFK’s last visit to the Cape - six days before his tragic trip to Dallas, witnessing the Apollo 11 launch and much more. The presentation combines history, some little-known facts and Jeff’s own experiences. His behind-the-scenes narrative about this unique time in our history is both educational and entertaining.
Ask about other presentations:
Facts vs. Fantasy: UFOs, Aliens, and Hoaxes
Space Spinoffs: Things We Use Everyday
Back to the Moon: Apollo to Artemis (Available May 2026)
Space Age and Influence on Popular Culture
Cape Canaveral: Past, Present and Future

Lecturer Jeff Hessel speaks of his time at Cape Canaveral during the Space Race, the time of the Apollo program, as well as the lunar landing. The presentation combines history, some little known facts, and Jeff's own experiences.
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About Jeff Hessel

Jeff Hessel, BS Mechanical Engineering, is a graduate of City College of New York. He continued his engineering studies at University of Michigan and New York University. Upon graduating in 1968, he began working at Cape Canaveral during the height of the Space Race and the time of the Apollo Program. He has presented Space Talks to numerous clubs, communities, organizations, colleges, professional societies, corporate events and STEM school programs. He was a keynote speaker at a major space conference and was recently selected by NASA to become an official Solar System Ambassador.

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TESTIMONIALS

  • Thank you so much on behalf of almost 200 of our Valencia Cay Mens Club members in attendance today. Your presentation was totally entertaining , educational and professional.  It kept our audience's attention throughout the entire event. I received nothing but compliments from everyone in attendance. We have an entire bus full for our trip to the Cape on 3/14 and as a result of your pitch, we will probably fill another. 

    Thank you again, you're a 100% class act.

    Mike Drahos

    President Valencia Cay Mens Club

  • The Valencia Fall’s Men’s Club invited Jeff Hessel to speak at their breakfast today and he did not disappoint.
    His presentation about his time at Cape Canaveral during the Cold War period was both informative and very entertaining. The crowd was very  pleased with his presentation.

    Paul Schwartz, Valencia Falls Men’s Club

  • As vice president of the Men's Club and Villa Borghese,  we had a very enjoyable experience with Jeff Hessel's presentation.

    The presentation was a professional presentation with amazing video and photographic images. We sat there listening to Jeff bring us back to a prior generation, and everyone was paying very careful attention to this wonderful presentation. We intend to invite Jeff back.

    Sam Miller, Villa Borghese Men’s Club

  • Your presentation to the Astronomical Society of the Palm Beaches really hit it out of the ballpark. The content is worthy of an academic course. Your delivery was impressive, and you had the members enthralled. It was quite a walk down memory lane. Your observation that Apollo 11 was only 66 years after the Wright Bros flight made an impact. Our sincere thanks.

    EH, Astronomical Society of the Palm Beaches

  • Thank you so much for the incredible job you did at our 40th Anniversary Celebration on January 28, 2026. Your presentations were truly outstanding and made a lasting impact on our students, staff, and community.

    Your presentation on Christa McAuliffe was especially meaningful and inspiring, and hearing firsthand about your time at NASA during the Apollo missions was an unforgettable experience for all of us. The Space Spinoffs presentation was equally engaging as students were amazed to learn how many everyday items we use today originated from space exploration.

    We are especially grateful for the time and energy you dedicated to presenting three grade-level assemblies, each thoughtfully tailored and engaging, as well as for sharing your expertise during our 40th Anniversary evening gala. Your passion, knowledge, and ability to connect with audiences of all ages truly brought these events to life.

    Thank you again for being such an important part of this milestone celebration. It was an honor to have you with us, and your contributions helped make the day both educational and unforgettable.

     Dwight R. Graydon II, Principal
    Christa McAuliffe Middle School

  • Jeff Hessel has been a featured speaker at Ponte Vecchio Homeowners Association on two separate occasions, presenting on different topics that consistently captivated our residents. His initial lecture on his experience at Cape Canaveral was met with overwhelming enthusiasm, generating exceptional feedback and strong attendance. Due to the high demand and resident interest, we were eager to invite him back for a second lecture. Jeff is engaging, knowledgeable, and has a unique ability to make complex subjects both accessible and fascinating. Our community thoroughly enjoyed his presentations, and we highly recommend him as a speaker.

    DAPHNIE MONTOYA
    Lifestyle Director, Ponte Vecchio HOA

  • On behalf of the VI Men’s Club, thank you for your informative and entertaining presentation on the topic of aliens and UFOs. Your depth of knowledge, thoughtful insights and engaging delivery made for a truly memorable program.  You sparked curiosity, lively discussion, and plenty of conversation that continued well after the presentation concluded.  It’s not every day that we get to explore such a fascinating subject with someone who can balance careful research, open-minded inquiry, and a great sense of humor. 

    We are grateful for the time and effort you put into preparing and sharing your expertise with us.  Programs like yours are what make our gatherings both educational and enjoyable. Thank you again for a terrific presentation.  We hope to welcome you back again in the future.

    Ira Margolis, President, VI Men’s  Club

  • Jeff Hessel’s presentation on Cape Canaveral was outstanding, bringing the history of the Space Race and Apollo program to life through his firsthand experiences and rare archival footage. His storytelling was both educational and entertaining, offering fascinating behind-the-scenes insights that captivated the audience. Attendees remained fully engaged throughout the talk, listening intently and eager to learn more. The audience asked many thoughtful questions, which Jeff answered warmly. His passion and personal connection to this pivotal moment in history made the presentation truly memorable and inspiring.

    Jodi Cutler, Arts & Culture Director
    Palm Beach JCC