Read the passage.The space race between the United States and the Soviet Union began in 1957 when the Soviets launched an intercontinental ballistic missile. Before the United States launched its first satellite, more than a year later, the USSR had already sent the first mammal, a dog named Laika, into space. It would be four years later, in 1961, when the United States would send its first mammal into space, a primate named Ham. It quickly became clear to government officials, particularly President John F. Kennedy, that the Soviets were outpacing the United States when it came to technology. This was concerning because technological advancements would have implications for the military. This was the main reason that President Kennedy pledged, in 1962, that the United States would put a man on the moon.