[tjohns]

Factor in the PR impact on the entire space program given the public visibility.

We've never had an astronaut crew get stranded on the moon. though we got close with Apollo 13. If/when that happens for the first time, you'd better believe the entire planet will be paying attention.

Just the congressional inquiries alone will set the space program back by decades.

[esalman]

This. It seems average Americans, including average hn commenters, have their future outlook confined to the next fiscal quarter.