It was revealed in 1989 that the Soviets had tried to send people to the Moon, but were unable due to technological difficulties.
ɪt wʌz ɹᵻvˈiːld ɪn nˈaɪntiːnhˈʌndɹɪd ˈeɪɾi nˈaɪn ðætðə sˈoʊviəts hæd tɹˈaɪd tə sˈɛnd pˈiːpəl tə ðə mˈuːn, bˌʌt wɜːɹ ʌnˈeɪbəl dˈuː tə tˌɛknəlˈɑːdʒɪkəl dˈɪfɪkˌʌltiz.