 What reason would the Russians have to drive the Americans off?
General Finogenov notified Major Winship that the underground blast was scheduled for the following morning. Major Winship, after receiving the message, discussed precautions with the three other Americans. Next morning, before the sunlight exploded, the four of them donned their space suits and went and sat outside the dome, waiting. Major Winship attempted unsuccessfully to communicate with Base Gagarin. "Help?" " Nyet ," said Major Winship, exhausting his Russian. "When?" "Boom—boom!" said Pinov. "Ah, it's all Russian. "Base Gagarin? Air currents whisked it away and plastered it against a riveted seam of the dome. It's on your right side, midway up. Major Winship said, "they should have made these things more flexible."
 They want the sole ability to conduct research on the moon.
 The two stations are much too close to one another.  They want the sole ability to conduct research on the moon.  They know the Americans are ahead of them technology-wise.  They don't trust the Americans, the same way Winship distrusts them.