In 1962, the race to the moon was less of a straight line and more of a brawl....

https://www.adirs-bookmarks.win/in-1962-nasa-engineers-didn-t-just-debate-physics-they-bickered-over-rocket

In 1962, the race to the moon was less of a straight line and more of a brawl. While the public cheered for Saturn V, internal memos show engineers clashing over nuclear, electric, and chemical propulsion