What did the early foundational work in NASA's history successfully prove regarding complex machinery?

Answer

That complex machinery could survive the violent forces of launch and the vacuum of space.

The initial efforts established the essential methodology for space deployment by demonstrating that manufactured equipment could withstand the stresses of launch and function correctly in the harsh environment of space to perform delicate tasks millions of miles away.

What did the early foundational work in NASA's history successfully prove regarding complex machinery?
AerospaceSpaceNASAexplorationrocketsMissionsspace launchlaunch