The space program was a way to get photographic intel on Russia something America didn't have much of. By letting the Russians get into space first we were the

The space program was a way to get photographic intel on Russia something America didn't have much of. By letting the Russians get into space first we were then allowed to have photographic satellites that went over them without having legal issues which was worth the trade off of letting them get up their first. One of the features of the Shuttle was that it provided a way to carry large items to and from space while safe and hidden inside of the vehicle.