The Space Race!

Summary

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In October 1957, the United States is having a tour on a beach, and mentions his supreme power in both military and technology. But soon, the sky somehow gets dark, so the US uses a telescope to view the sky. He finds out that there is an artificial satellite in the sky, which covers up the sunlight (the satellite is supposed to be Sputnik 1 according to the time, but it is shown with a shape of the communist symbol). After quickly realizing that it was launched by the USSR into space, the US calls a conference with several government officials. He concludes that the satellite will be used for spying activities against him, and he is afraid that the USSR will replace his position in the world as the new superpower. He decides to send a spy to the USSR, in order to gather information about their space project. Then, another government official comes in and suggests the US to give a speech to the public. In the speech, the US announces the establishment of NASA, an government agency for space research. NASA appears in front of the public, gaining a lot of attention. The US also makes the decision to provide 25 billion dollars for NASA, in order to compete with the USSR.

The USSR government officials have finished watching the speech, and laugh at him, thinking that the US is unable to defeat the USSR in space exploration. The USSR announces a new space program to the officials, which is the program of sending the first animal to space. The animal is revealed to be a dog named Laika. It is owned by one of the officials there, but he passes out after acknowledging the project. After a while, the American spy (mentioned previously) comes in and provides cups of water for the officials. One of the officials suspect that he is an American spy, but his doubt is soon dispelled. The owner of Laika complains about the space program, and it is heard by the American spy. But the spy's eavesdropping device falls from his body, causing the USSR officials to suspect him again. He claims that it is his "lucky charm", successfully deceiving them. He then leaves the room quickly, telling them he is going to "look out for American spies". 

Back to the American perspective, the US is unsatisfied with the progress of the project, since it will take weeks to finish. He is interrupted by the sound of a spaceship outside, appearing to be a Soviet spaceship with Laika in it. He becomes more angry after the spy telling him about the Soviets' plan, and orders them to finish the project tomorrow. One day later, in another speech, the US announces that the project has been finished. The first American satellite, Explorer 1, is launched into space. But the TV displaying the launching is hacked by the USSR. He reveals another space program, this time, sending the first human astronaut into space. He introduces Soviet astronaut Yuri Gagarin to the public, and puts him into the spaceship after finishing the announcement. The US is very disappointed with the current progress of his own project, but then decides to cheer up the public after hearing a child ask about the project. In the end, he announces a grand new project to land on the Moon, cheering up the American people.