Comments on: Ep. 124: Space Capsules, Part 1 – Vostok, Mercury and Gemini http://www.astronomycast.com/astronomy/ep-124-space-capsules-part-1-vostok-mercury-and-gemini/ Take a weekly facts-based journey through the cosmos with Astronomy Cast. Tue, 09 Mar 2010 17:33:19 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.1 hourly 1 By: Andy S http://www.astronomycast.com/astronomy/ep-124-space-capsules-part-1-vostok-mercury-and-gemini/comment-page-1/#comment-1710 Andy S Fri, 17 Apr 2009 20:00:42 +0000 http://www.astronomycast.com/?p=538#comment-1710 I have to say I was very disappointed with this episode. It was 99% from an American perspective - in fact most of the references to missions were from a "we" point of view. When there was an attempt to address that balance, the response was a curt "well I don't see any Canadian manned capsules." I would have loved to hear about the Vostok mission, Gagarin, and subsequent Russian manned space flight as well. I would hope that Astronomy Cast would try to bring a balanced perspective to its shows, and avoid political bias. I have to say I was very disappointed with this episode. It was 99% from an American perspective – in fact most of the references to missions were from a "we" point of view. When there was an attempt to address that balance, the response was a curt "well I don't see any Canadian manned capsules." I would have loved to hear about the Vostok mission, Gagarin, and subsequent Russian manned space flight as well.

I would hope that Astronomy Cast would try to bring a balanced perspective to its shows, and avoid political bias.

]]> By: Val Parks http://www.astronomycast.com/astronomy/ep-124-space-capsules-part-1-vostok-mercury-and-gemini/comment-page-1/#comment-1512 Val Parks Wed, 04 Feb 2009 08:17:28 +0000 http://www.astronomycast.com/?p=538#comment-1512 I think any discussion of the Gemini program should include the close call involving Niel Armstrong and the docking incident with the Agena module. We almost lost 2 men in space. If it wasn't for Neil's cool head and quick thinking, the mission could have significantly impacted the Lunar Program. I believe it was this incident (and another training incident) that convinced NASA to make Neil the first man on the moon. As it turns out, a very good decision. He made a landing on the moon under conditions that would un-nerve almost everone. He is a true Hero and I think the magnitude of his personal fortitude and accomplishments are not fully appreciated. I think any discussion of the Gemini program should include the close call involving Niel Armstrong and the docking incident with the Agena module. We almost lost 2 men in space. If it wasn't for Neil's cool head and quick thinking, the mission could have significantly impacted the Lunar Program. I believe it was this incident (and another training incident) that convinced NASA to make Neil the first man on the moon. As it turns out, a very good decision. He made a landing on the moon under conditions that would un-nerve almost everone. He is a true Hero and I think the magnitude of his personal fortitude and accomplishments are not fully appreciated.

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