In the late 1950s, a question loomed over every geopolitical decision: Would democracy or communism emerge victorious across the globe? The Cold War had the world on edge, with the specter of nuclear war hanging overhead. During this tense era, the U.S. found itself lagging behind the Soviet Union in the race for space superiority. The launch of Sputnik 1 in 1957 was a wake-up call for the U.S. government, who feared falling behind in this crucial contest.