In modern times, the central section of Florida's Atlantic Coast has come to be known as the Space Coast. Though the former Soviet Union won the "space race" by launching the first manned space flight, the U.S. base of operations was Cape Canaveral Air Force Base and its Kennedy Space Center was then home of NASA operations. In stark contrast to the "High Tech" space industry, the surrounding area is a wildlife preserve, and is a major breeding ground for many endangered seabirds.