Figure 29: Photograph following 1967 Apollo 1 accident
1 media/F28_thumb.png 2019-10-24T13:50:31+00:00 Gina Plumey c7bdb6b48ecbb34364302aeee300c6bd09f67510 1 3 Photograph of Apollo 1 disaster where a cabin fire took the lives of NASA astronauts, Gus Grissom, Edward White, and Roger Chaffee. This disaster highlighted the risk of spaceflight and affected the debate of whether or not manned spaceflight should be pursued. plain 2019-12-04T21:41:18+00:00 Gina Plumey c7bdb6b48ecbb34364302aeee300c6bd09f67510This page is referenced by:
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NASA: Visions of NASA and Reservations About the Space Program
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The earliest visions for NASA as presented to the American populace came as a result of the victory over communist nations by being the first to hit major milestones in space travel. This started off with difficulties as Soviet victories dominated the first years of the space race and carried a dual effect of instilling reservations in regards to the immense budget and providing motivational material in encouragement of consumer spending. The early missions, Mercury, Gemini and the Apollo project created a significant wave in space flight interest and subsequently inspired consumer products, space themed entertainment, and attractions.
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]
