Was Kennedy's commitment to the space program an extension to the cold war?

Yes, Kennedy's commitment to the space program was indeed an extension of the Cold War. It was driven by the desire to demonstrate technological and ideological superiority over the Soviet Union, particularly after the launch of Sputnik in 1957. By prioritizing the Apollo program and aiming for a moon landing, Kennedy sought to assert American dominance in space exploration as a means of bolstering national pride and countering Soviet influence. This focus on space was thus intertwined with the broader geopolitical rivalry of the era.