Rising Tensions.......in Space?

The tension between America, or the USA, whichever you prefer to call it and the Soviet Union, or Russia (once again a country with too many names, so pick whichever one you wish to call it :-D) began to rise. Their ongoing competitive spirits clashed. This can be compared to a pimple. At first, it's sore, but you don't really do anything about it. Next, with the skin rises and forms a bump. Finally, it comes to a head....and all the nasty white stuffs just busts all over everything creating an atmosphere of YUCK!! ( maybe it's not that graphic, but I thought I should add a little drama to make it more realistic). Well, the "tension pimple" came to a head when Russia became the first country to successfully launch a satellite into space. They named it Sputnik (1951). America tried desperately to duplicate this, but of couse......failed!