Korolev is key
Delay his death long enough to allow the N-1 to succeed at least somewhat, giving the USSR a usable launch vehicle for lunar flights and landings. If the USSR gets to the moon sooner (maybe on the 10th anniversary of the Sputnik launch?) then the US will have no choice but to catch up. Even if a Soviet lunar landing comes after Apollo 11 the race is still on and the chance to head for Mars is certainly up for grabs. Under just the wrong scenario maybe there are delays or even a failed landing or two culminating in a surprise live film of a Red man with a Red flag on the Red planet in 1999? Maybe playing Prince's 1999 during the landing process for extra taunting of the West?
Delay his death long enough to allow the N-1 to succeed at least somewhat, giving the USSR a usable launch vehicle for lunar flights and landings. If the USSR gets to the moon sooner (maybe on the 10th anniversary of the Sputnik launch?) then the US will have no choice but to catch up. Even if a Soviet lunar landing comes after Apollo 11 the race is still on and the chance to head for Mars is certainly up for grabs. Under just the wrong scenario maybe there are delays or even a failed landing or two culminating in a surprise live film of a Red man with a Red flag on the Red planet in 1999? Maybe playing Prince's 1999 during the landing process for extra taunting of the West?