Sputnik was quite real, though. As were lots of other things. For example the industrialisation of a big country that was in poor rural state before, while bein

Sputnik was quite real, though. As were lots of other things. For example the industrialisation of a big country that was in poor rural state before, while being blocked by the west. Not everyone in the sowjets was forced to be there. Idealism is a strong driving force, otherwise the sowjet empire would not have sustained itself for so long on propaganda alone.