the U.S.S.R. realizes that the Sputnik program is a huge propaganda tool. November 3: Sputnik 2 carries Laika, a female dog, into space. Although the satellite will remain in orbit for 162 days ...

Although outside his craft for only a little over 12 minutes (filmed in colour for maximum propaganda effect ... as often in the early days of the space race, playing catch-up.

USSR: Fierce rivals in the Space Race The USA and the USSR believed ... each other with false or exaggerated information (known as propaganda) and also with many, many nuclear weapons.