This doesn&#x27;t seem all that different than the Mercury program.  There were two side to the race.  Look closely at either and you will find safety being pushed.<p>It is also a little disingenuous to characterize the russian effort as &quot;military&quot; and the american effort as not.  It wasn&#x27;t Mr. John Glen first american in orbit.  He remained an military officer while at Nasa and was awarded military honors for his flight (DFC).  Smack whatever label you want, both programs had heavy military involvement.