Why did the US and USSR invest so much into the space race?

During the Cold War the United States and the Soviet Union engaged a competition to see who had the best technology in space. The Space Race was considered important because it showed the world which country had the best science, technology, and economic system.

Why is it important for countries to explore the moon and other planets?

A mission to our nearest planetary neighbor provides the best opportunity to demonstrate that humans can live for extended, even permanent, stays beyond low Earth orbit. The technology and space systems required to transport and sustain explorers will drive innovation and encourage creative ways to address challenges.

Why are countries exploring space?

Common rationales for exploring space include advancing scientific research, national prestige, uniting different nations, ensuring the future survival of humanity, and developing military and strategic advantages against other countries.

Which countries invest the most in space?

In 2020, the United States was by far the leading spender, with government space program spending amounting to over 47 billion U.S. dollars.

What country was America competing against in the Space Race?

the Soviet Union
The “space race” was a Cold War competition between the United States and the Soviet Union to develop aerospace capabilities, including artificial satellites, unmanned space probes, and human spaceflight.

How much money does China spend on space?

In terms of government spending on overall space activities, China ranked second globally in 2018 at $5.8 billion. This surpassed the offerings of Russia ($4.2 billion) and France ($3.2 billion), but significantly trailed the US.

How much does Russia spend on space?

2017 – Russian Government Space Budget – Snapshot Russia allocated 92.5 billion rubles (US$1.5 billion) for space activities . . .

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