We like to view the 1962 space race as a straight line, but the archives reveal...

https://www.scribd.com/document/1051754228/Why-Do-Science-Headlines-Use-a-Punchline-Like-Don-t-Ask-It-to-Hurry-126701

We like to view the 1962 space race as a straight line, but the archives reveal a messy, human brawl. Engineers spent years fiercely debating nuclear, chemical, and electric propulsion long before anyone touched a launchpad