Why was the space race so important to the us

Measurable success of the Cold War.

The events of the Space Race was a way to demonstrate whether the US or the USSR was "winning" the Cold War.

The Cold War became a competition over capitalism and democracy versus communism. Since both sides knew the danger in going to war, the Space Race was a way to show who would win if war took place without the danger of atomic warfare. The USSR launch of Sputnik in 1957 put the US on notice and they responded with the Mercury and Apollo programs. The US landing on the moon in 1969 marked a major win for the US.

They had strained relationships with colonists but good relationships with american indians