By the mid-1950s, the world was caught in the grip of the U.S.-Soviet Cold War. For the Americans, space exploration wasn’t just scientific curiosity; it was a manifestation of their tradition of exploration and a desire to demonstrate their prowess. The establishment of NASA and subsequent missions highlighted the United States’ commitment to assert its dominance beyond Earth’s confines. Drawing parallels to the Age of Exploration, space exploration now serves as a yardstick to measure a country’s mettle on the global stage. Contrary to claims of waging total war and being locked in a perpetual cold war, the reality for Pakistan is more complex.
