[RightWhale]

pres kennedy wanted the ussr to be first so he could go to congress an ask for lots of money

That is BS. However, China is about 10 years ahead of the US in space hardware right now.

[camas]

someone sent a general to the cape from the pentagon to make sure there was not a satellite on a rocket that was setting on the launch. the general even climbed up on the rocket to make sure. sorry to long ago can't remember the names of the players