NASA: Visions of NASA and Reservations About the Space Program
However, despite the interest spurred on by mass marketing in support of NASAs efforts, their scientists and representatives were aware that there was a discrepancy between true space exploration and the public's hopes. The goals of those involved in the space program include the engineering achievement of developing the technology to safely launch and humans into space and return them to earth, discovering other life in the universe, and furthering scientific research.[1] Additionally, NASA hoped to expand interest in science and space research, whether through external marketing or through victories achieved on an international level.
NASA scientists were also aware of the shortfalls of their program, particularly with the spotlight on all their activities as a public branch. It was predicted that the public would not react well to a “chemical and biological contamination of other planets,” or that if “an attempt to put a man in space which resulted in his death would seriously disturb the public.”[2] Furthermore, there was an awareness in this post-McCarthyism period that the public would not easily accept a Big Brother watchdog figure as a result of space satellite technology. The reservations in regards to NASA, of course, all tie-in to the issue of sustained funding and justifying the expense of the program.[3]