The space race between the USSR and the USA in the pages of the Soviet press (1957-1963)

Research Article

Abstract

This article examines the representation of the space race between the USSR and the USA in the Soviet press from 1957 to 1963. The study focuses not only on the factual coverage of events but also on the strategic approaches employed to shape public perceptions of the scientific and technological rivalry between the two superpowers. The primary objective is to identify the key directions of propaganda, to assess the role of print media in reinforcing national identity and the international prestige of the Soviet Union, and to demonstrate how the theme of space was transformed into an instrument of ideological struggle within the broader context of the Cold War. The methodological framework of the research is based on the principles of historicism and objectivity, complemented by content analysis, which enables the systematization of press materials and the identification of recurring motifs and stylistic features. The findings reveal that the Soviet press actively constructed a heroic image of cosmonauts and engineers, presenting them as symbols of scientific progress and patriotic virtue. Achievements in Soviet space exploration were consistently portrayed as evidence of the technical and moral superiority of the socialist system, with each new step in space exploration depicted as a collective triumph of the nation. By contrast, American initiatives were covered predominantly in an ironic or critical manner. Failures, delays, and contradictions in the U.S. program were emphasized, serving as a means of internal mobilization and reinforcing confidence in the legitimacy of the Soviet path. In this way, space was represented not only as a domain of scientific discovery but also as a symbolic arena of ideological rivalry, with the USSR positioned as the leader of global science and technology and the USA depicted as a competitor whose efforts were frequently cast in a negative light. Particular attention is paid to the political motivation underlying propaganda: space achievements were utilized both to consolidate the regime domestically and to project power internationally. The Soviet press adapted its communicative strategies to the rapidly changing international environment, transforming the space theme into a universal instrument for shaping mass consciousness. In conclusion, the study demonstrates that during 1957–1963, the Soviet press fulfilled a complex informational and propagandistic function, constructing a positive image of the USSR as a leading space power and fostering collective identity. The space race became a central element of the ideological agenda, exerting a lasting influence on the development of Soviet scientific and propagandistic culture and on the international image of the country.