The glimpse we are given of the spacecraft reveals it to be from another Columbia release, Earth vs. the Flying Saucers. The scene was also used in an episode of The Twilight Zone.
When the Soviet General and Prof. Beckner launch the capsules the General gives the coordinates for Houston, Texas (29° 45' 26" N, 95° 21' W). Beckner gives the coordinates for Moscow (55° 45' 18" N, 37° 37' 14" E). Beckner is also heard giving partial coordinates for 45° 4' 23" N and 12' 12" E but the degrees are missing.