I would say "nationalist ego" instead of military advantages. Edmund didn't bring back any new weapons from the Pole. And, for that matter, our 1960s-70s race w

I would say "nationalist ego" instead of military advantages. Edmund didn't bring back any new weapons from the Pole. And, for that matter, our 1960s-70s race was as much (or more) about oneupmanship than gaining real tactical advantage - although of course a lot of the experience gained supported ICBM development.