This was something that set the US Space Program apart from the Soviet space program. The Soviets only announced program successes after they were fait accompli.
The U.S. Program survived many years of negative press over rocket failures, near disasters, and actual catastrophes. Throughout it all and even to today, the program is transparent. Our failures are out there for the world to see so that can improve. The world press listened to every capsule ground-communication, and every problem and every glitch
There are some that criticize this as being a high-tech NASCAR race where we wait for the crash. However, if you read the memoirs of those involved, it becomes apparent, this was done because they felt they owed it to the American people to be open.
As well, they had a commitment more than the program but to the astronauts. We are only beginning to learn of the fatalities of the cosmonauts in the Soviet program. These were mostly hidden from public view. The eyes of the American public provide the greatest oversight in the world.
While we've had our accidents and losses of life and NASA has made mistakes, imagine how much worse it could be if there were 'no public to answer to'. Despite the replication of the feat, it was the courage to do it plain sight that makes the accomplishment what it was and is.
Slashdot Mirror
This was something that set the US Space Program apart from the Soviet space program. The Soviets only announced program successes after they were fait accompli. The U.S. Program survived many years of negative press over rocket failures, near disasters, and actual catastrophes. Throughout it all and even to today, the program is transparent. Our failures are out there for the world to see so that can improve. The world press listened to every capsule ground-communication, and every problem and every glitch There are some that criticize this as being a high-tech NASCAR race where we wait for the crash. However, if you read the memoirs of those involved, it becomes apparent, this was done because they felt they owed it to the American people to be open. As well, they had a commitment more than the program but to the astronauts. We are only beginning to learn of the fatalities of the cosmonauts in the Soviet program. These were mostly hidden from public view. The eyes of the American public provide the greatest oversight in the world. While we've had our accidents and losses of life and NASA has made mistakes, imagine how much worse it could be if there were 'no public to answer to'. Despite the replication of the feat, it was the courage to do it plain sight that makes the accomplishment what it was and is.