You do realise that the US took a much more methodical approach?
The Soviet "firsts" were not only crude, the provuded very little actual knowledge advancement.
The US was slower at first, because it was validating certain key technological develoments.
Putting a man on the moon
That is clearly not rabies.
The fox is responsive, and displaying normal motor action.
End-stage rabies is terrifying.... you can see that there is something wrong with the animal. It will act in an almost robotic fashion.