Besides technical considerations, I believe spatial conquest made a lot for nations unity, and for a global citizen support to the governments.....
Gagarin's first venture in space made every Soviet citizen proud to be a part of this dream. Remember, this was Soviet Union, not Russia. People were suffering in their daily lives, space conquest provided a relief, and helped national feeling and unity.
1961 Kennedy speech where he promised the US would land a man on the moon before the end of the decade made a lot to unite the US. This was the time of Vietnam war, the space conquest was useful to make Americans proud.
Now???? We hardly pay any attention when the Space Shuttle or the Ariane rockets go up and down....
Maybe the only place where spatial conquest is used for national unity building is where the Long March Rockets are sent.....
Marseil.
|