We like to view the 1962 space race as a straight line, but the archives reveal...

https://blogfreely.net/weyladikle/why-does-electric-propulsion-take-forever-to-speed-up

We like to view the 1962 space race as a straight line, but the archives reveal a messy, human brawl. Engineers spent years fiercely debating nuclear, chemical, and electric propulsion long before anyone touched a launchpad