“A lot of that view is born of the lie that technology made the American economy more efficient”
The political pundits have been losing their bet against space travel advancement since 2013.
"I believe number two was the Soviet Moon rocket that blew up a few hundred feet after liftoff, guaranteeing the US would win the space race."
N-1 rocket. 30 NK-15 kerolox staged combustion engines with expendable explosive bolt operated valves (that means they couldn't do static fire tests easily, because the valves had to be replaced after a firing).