[aeroman]

The PR part also applies to Earth Observation Satellites (ESA and EUMETSAT). (Almost) any time you see a wide area picture of the Earth from Space (particularly around a weather event), it comes from NASA's MODIS instrument [e.g. 0].

The European (approximate) equivalent, AATSR, had a lot of really nice scientific qualities, but it was missing a blue channel, meaning that the 'true-colour' images it produced always had a blue tint to the clouds. There was a similar problem with the European geostationary satellite imager (SEVIRI) [1].

Scientifically, SEVIRI was incredibly useful (and far in advance of the American equivalent at the time), but the lack of a blue channel meant that it was never really used for those shots that made it onto the news (and neither was AATSR). When you have spent multiple billions on a satellite programme, you generally want the public to see it.

I remember being told at one point that this was considered such an issue that the Europeans would 'never launch a satellite without a blue channel again' - although that might be overstating it a little.

[0] - https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-11901718

[1] - https://www.cloudsandclimate.com/blog/got_the_blues/

[dougmwne]

It’s funny how well that fits in with cultural stereotypes. The US had an insane culture of self promotion and salesmanship. Europe has a culture of intense elitism. ESA designed an excellent satellite that focused on the “right” goals, and promptly forgot the dirty peasants whose money they were really spending.

[ekianjo]

Its more private companies vs public agencies. Compare SpaceX to NASA and you will see the exact same thing.

[gessha]

Few things can beat the Saturn V launch video [1] with the enhanced audio in terms of sheer US domination propaganda and I don’t mean it in a bad way.

Those close up shots of the rocket and the massive letters USA plastered everywhere is a textbook example of how to market space related projects.

[1] - https://youtu.be/ViNcBQ8cDA0

[samstave]

James Burk Connections Launch:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cCJh5D0FCZk

[Dalewyn]

Similarly, the Hubble Space Telescope has done more to raise and advance interest in space among the commons than anything else in unmanned space exploration.

[kortilla]

It shouldn’t be surprising. Unless you’re operating outside of a regime of democracy, you have to convince the majority (i.e. very dumb people by academic standards) that it’s worth it.

7th graders control your budget.

[raverbashing]

True

Remember Juno was also almost launched without a camera as well