The decision was harshly criticized by former NASA astronauts, including Neil Armstrong, saying it would sideline the American space program.

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His decision-making may have prematurely ended the mission, but it saved his life, co-pilot David Scott's life, and possibly the whole American space program.

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So why is the American space program stuck?

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Sadly, in 2006 it is painful to contemplate the state of the American space program, to look back and remember how far and fast it progressed in the 1960s, only to slow down abruptly, as if slamming into a meteor field.

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The Aerospace Industries Association has both cultural and very practical reasons for improving that public awareness, so it's taking the unusual step of crowdfunding an ad purchase to get the American space program in front of as many eyes as possible.

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No American commercial space program has yet proven it has the chops to handle the duty.

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Until NASA can garner the vocal support of the American public again our manned space program will be lethargic and uninspiring.

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The problem NASA has faced is that since the Eagle landed on the moon and Apollo 11 returned safely to the earth the American people lost interest in our manned space program.

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This plan extended the space shuttle program, put in place a robust commercial space initiative and has put us on track to send American astronauts further into space than ever before.

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