‘We Can Hit a Fly in Outer Space’, 1957–62

Abstract

The period covered by this chapter marks the high point of Khrushchev’s political power, between the successful defeat of his opponents in the Anti-Party Group affair and the debacle of the Cuban missile crisis. This was a time of enormous optimism about the vitality and superiority of Soviet socialism. Buoyed by Soviet successes in the space race and by his belief that nuclear missiles held the key to winning future wars, Khrushchev authorized considerable resources for the ABM research effort, which initially produced promising results.