re: Motives
I try not to get political here as well, but will do so when the
situation warrants it. It is unrealistic to act and assume like the
space program operates in isolation from the governments, especially
when they are footing the bill as with a spy sat.
Funny how these so-called reporters missed harping on the crashing
of Cosmos 954 over Canada in 1978 (maybe most of them weren't
even born then, though that doesn't quite explain Skylab), and
that was a nuclear-powered craft that spewed radiation all over
the Great White North.
Bet it will start getting some mention now.
Cosmos 1900 was another nuclear space "threat" but as I recall
it came down over an ocean.