The following pieces of correspondence between Kennedy and Khrushchev continue to make the point that the exploration of space should be for the benefit of all mankind and that their respective nations should engage in joint space efforts, though no specific ideas as to what these efforts should be are presented yet.

The people of the United States share with the people of the Soviet Union their satisfaction for the safe flight of the astronaut in man's first venture into space. We congratulate you and the Soviet scientists and engineers who made this feat possible. It is my sincere desire that in the continuing quest for knowledge of outer space our nations can work together to obtain the greatest benefit to mankind.

Telegram from President John F Kennedy to Chairman Nikita Khrushchev. 12 Apr. 1961. Source: "Kennedy-Khrushchev Exchanges." Online archives of the US Department of State.

I express the hope that the Soviet Union and the United States may work together on the matter of mastering the universe, considering the mastering of the universe as a part of the great task of creating peace without armaments and war.

Message from Chairman Nikita Khrushchev to President John F Kennedy. 30 Apr. 1961. Source: "Kennedy-Khrushchev Exchanges." Online archives of the US Department of State.

Recent outstanding achievements in man's conquest of the cosmos open up boundless possibilities for understanding nature, in the name of progress.

Telegram from Chairman Nikita Khrushchev to President John F Kennedy. 6 May 1961. Source: "Kennedy-Khrushchev Exchanges." Online archives of the US Department of State.

We believe that the peaceful exploration of space is a venture undertaken on behalf of mankind as a whole. In that spirit, each new step in the conquest and understanding of space, wherever made, will be an achievement in which all of us share. Source: "Kennedy-Khrushchev Exchanges." Online archives of the US Department of State.

Letter from President John F Kennedy to Chairman Nikita Khrushchev. Undated. Source: "Kennedy-Khrushchev Exchanges." Online archives of the US Department of State.

The successful launching of spaceships signalizing the conquest of new heights in science and technology inspire legitimate pride for the limitless potentialities of the human mind to serve the welfare of humanity. It is to be hoped that the genius of man, penetrating the depth of the universe, will be able to find ways to lasting peace and ensure the prosperity of all peoples on our planet earth which, in the space age, though it does not seem so large, is still dear to all of its inhabitants.

If our countries pooled their efforts--scientific, technical and material--to master the universe, this would be very beneficial for the advance of science and would be joyfully acclaimed by all peoples who would like to see scientific achievements benefit man and not be used for "cold war" purposes and the arms race.

Letter from Chairman Nikita Khrushchev to President John F Kennedy. 21 Feb. 1962. Source: "Kennedy-Khrushchev Exchanges." Online archives of the US Department of State.