The role of Nasa in desegregation
President John F Kennedy's ambition to put a man on the moon was a key part of his legacy, but less well known is how his administration used Nasa as an agent for social change during the civil rights movement.
It's a nearly forgotten history that authors Richard Paul and Steven Moss investigate in their new book, We Could Not Fail. It profiles some of the first African Americans in the US space programme and the lasting impact of their work.
Both authors joined the BBC's Katty Kay to talk about the book.
05 May 2015