What eveng most clearly prompted the us government to persue the space race

What event most clearly prompted the US government to pursue the Space Race? 1)the successful launch of Yuri Gagarin into space by the Soviet Union. 2)the Soviet Union's surprising launch of Sputnik into Earth's orbit. 3)the declaration by President Kennedy to land a man on the Moon.

Explanation:

(happy to help)

the answer is B the soviet union's suprising launch of sputnik into earth's orbit

Explanation:

i took the test