Final answer:
The competition between the United States and the Soviet Union in the Space Race was due to their desire to showcase superiority in space technology and exploration. The Soviet Union's launch of Sputnik intensified this rivalry, pushing the U.S. to establish NASA and advance its own space achievements.
Step-by-step explanation:
The United States and the Soviet Union were in competition due to the desire of both countries to assert their dominance in the field of space exploration and technology. During the Space Race, the Soviet Union's launching of Sputnik in 1957 was a major event that spurred the United States to accelerate its own space program. This competition was fueled by the geopolitical rivalry of the Cold War, as each nation sought to prove the superiority of their technology and political systems. The best bit of information from 'You Should Meet Katherine Johnson' that helps answer this question is D. Each of the two most powerful countries in the world wanted to be number one in space exploration and technology.