It was clear from the beginning it was about beating the Soviets. The fear of the USSR achieving space superiority was very real at the time, especially after S

It was clear from the beginning it was about beating the Soviets. The fear of the USSR achieving space superiority was very real at the time, especially after Sputnik. JFK even said in his moon speech the US needed to establish "a position of pre-eminence" and would do so with the landing.