USA was behind in Science and Math. So the federal government dumped massive amounts of money at the high school and college level. Americans so the Cold War heat up in Space. Very far behind.
The first space shuttle had enough capablities to go to Mars. Mars was the orginal goal! Moon became the target because USA moved it to so.
Watch Hidden Figures and October Sky for some inspiration.
The fourth part of the Declaration of Independence states that the 13 colonies are free and independent states. They are no longer controlled by Great Britain. The 13 states can do everything free countries can do.
