I think this is a change of the line between respect and approachability. By personalising the astronauts we make it easier for someone to aspire to be like these other, fellow human beings.

From what I've read and watched of the modern-era astronauts they are very keen to be inspirational to their successors and seem to have a more personable demeanour. I think this is a positive change and not so much a disrespect.

What really grinds my gears is science fiction that puts a group of people onboard some long space-faring mission where nobody is at all respectable, professional or suitable. I can believe warp drive, green aliens and Dyson spheres but not psychopaths and 18-year old children being put out to space to work. I have near-yelled at my screen more than once saying "You don't deserve to be there, you are a discredit!" :-)

I have you know Bob and Doug are important people up here in Canada, they showed us how to get a case of beer for free.

NASA hosted a (remote) movie night as a sendoff for Bob and Doug last week; the movie selected by the pair, of course, was Strange Brew.

Which part of it was historic? The part that we'd already done before, or all of the other parts that we'd already done before?

I guess if you consider funding coming from a source other than the government historic, then the launch was borderline mind boggling.

Agreed about "Bob and Doug". But then again the bravery, training, and talent of the astronauts weren't the focus of this launch. This was all about Elon and SpaceX.

> brown-nosing speech towards the end of broadcast

Was there any truth to the claims made that Trump has been exceptional in space support?

What does exceptional mean in this context? The Trump Admin has pushed for increasing NASA funding. Their funding had barely budged for the better part of a decade until Trump became president.

From $19.2b the last Obama year (they got $18.7b in 2010, to show how little increase they received) to a requested $25.2b for 2021 (typically they get more than is requested). If that request sum comes through, much less higher, it'll be the single largest funding increase year to year in decades.

This is nothing compared to increases under Kennedy administration.

He certainly isn't compared to mid-century administrations.