the space race
The Space Race was a competition between the US and USSR to see who could send something to space. This was a symbol for supremacy and ultimate power. The US ended up being the first, but the USSR followed soon after. The space race was a big thing in the public's eye.
The US was thrilled that they were the ones to make it to space first with Laika the dog. It was a symbol of being on top during the Cold War. Making a false sense of superiority.
The USSR was not happy about the US getting to space first. They became even more determined to achieve the goal of being in space.
The Space Race effected the war because it was like another battle to see who would have the one up. In the end the US did making it a win for capitalism.