I believe with 100% certainty that Sordland is capable of sending a man to the moon if not by the end of Rayne's 2nd term, then early on in the next president's term*

*UNDER VERY SPECIFIC CIRCUMSTANCES.

This is mostly RP but I do sincerely think it's possible if certain conditions are achieved

These circumstances are:

  • Increasing the Military and Education budgets, modernizing the military & reforming education.
  • Building the Conriat Industrial Zone
  • Receiving investment from ATO for the military industry.
  • Investing in electronics industry
  • Achieving the Sordish Economic Recovery
  • Joining either ATO or CSP.

Funding education is a no brainer since Sordland would need engineers and rocket scientists, but increasing the military budget plus investing in military industries would also be necessary. The reason for this is I imagine the military (especially Iosef) would be greatly interested in all of the new technologies coming from the space program, and so they would want to work closely with the scientists there and as such divert some resources from the military and its associated industries to supporting the program.

The Conriat Industrial Zone is very important because Sordland is going to want to build up its industrial base not just to support its economy, but to also contract out its manufacturing for all of the technologies it will need. Speaking of technologies, this is also why Sordland needs to invest in its electronics industry, as they are going to greatly need a source of radios, satellites, computers, etc. that wouldn't be considered a national security risk. This would also draw interest from private companies looking to commercialize whatever innovations from the space program, which could be leveraged with either cheaper contracts or outright investment into the program from those companies.

The Sordish Economic Recovery is a no brainer, no country with a weak economy could sustain a space program.

The most critical condition is joining a super power. The reason for this is that I imagine that both super powers would be greatly intimidated by a neutral power building a successful space program, and as such would make attempts to sabotage it, possibly even try to destabilize Sordland in an attempt to do so. Joining one of them, however, would grant Sordland some protection against this. It would still be vulnerable to espionage from one of the superpowers, but better to only have to worry about one looming beast than two. Not only that, but the Sordland aligned superpower would be very interested in cooperating with and investing in the space program, if only to beat the other side to sending someone to the moon first.

With all this I truly believe it's possible for Rayne to send a man to the moon late into his 2nd term. Hell I'd still give him credit if it happens after he leaves office