Final answer:
President Kennedy sought to contrast the U.S. space efforts with past Soviet achievements by setting a national goal of landing a man on the moon, thereby showcasing American superiority in technology and advancing military capabilities.
Step-by-step explanation:
President Kennedy connected the early attempts at the space race to the efforts he championed in 1961 by emphasizing the strategic importance of space exploration, both as a symbol of technological prowess and as a means to achieve practical military and economic benefits. Kennedy's response to the Soviet Union's early lead in space was to set a bold national goal: the United States would land a man on the moon by the end of the 1960s. This goal was not only aspirational but also a direct counter to Soviet successes, such as Yuri Gagarin's orbit around the Earth, and indicated a significant shift in Cold War strategy to showcase American power and innovation.
The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) was at the forefront of these efforts, with significant investments in infrastructure and technological advancement. Kennedy's vision paid off with the successful moon landing in 1969, which was a resounding message of U.S. capability and competitive edge against the Soviet Union.