Let's say that the US space programme was beset by so many problems--lack of funds, technology, etc--and the Soviet programme on the other hand went from strength to strength (perhaps a POD here could be Von Braun and other Nazi scientists being grubbed up by the reds ahead of the US, or early Soviet economic plans being successful enough for it having the capital strength to do all this), doing its OTL triumphs, US triumphs, and more. How would this affect things?