It is an epic simile. This is because the comparisons are "long and involved". The main difference between an epic simile (also known as Homeric simile) and an ordinary simile is than an epic simile is very detailed and can span over many lines. Where as a normal simile usually is contained within one or two lines.
Example of epic simile:
But swift Aias the son of Oïleus would not at all now take his stand apart from Telamonian Aias, not even a little; but as two wine-coloured oxen straining with even force drag the compacted plough through the fallow land, and for both of them at the base of the horns the dense sweat gushes; only the width of the polished yoke keeps a space between them as they toil down the furrow till the share cuts the edge of the ploughland; so these took their stand in battle, close to each other.
Kennedy appeals to the audience's curiosity with his claim that the exploration of space is an adventure. Kennedy appeals to the audience's competitive spirit with his claim that the exploration of space will go on with or without the United States.
