Part 2: Chapter 4, While Waiting for Technocracy: the ICBM and the First American Space Program Summary and Analysis

The U.S. rocketry program was limited by Truman's budget control. Truman allocated more funds to the domestic economy than to the rocket program. Even though the military had begun to develop satellite and ICBM missile programs, the funding wasn't there for them so the Soviets leaped ahead of the United States. Some programs involving missiles were cancelled because of the lack of fuel. The U.S. excelled in long-range bombers and was not too concerned with missiles.

There were several reasons for letting the ICBM program slide. Economic interests mean that funding should go for big bombers and jets, due to the American superiority in aviation and the preference of the Air Force as...