Firstly, thanks for everyone that has responded to this thread, the subject is intriguing.
I know that this is 'pie in the sky' thinking, but surely now the Cold War is consigned to the history books, it would benefit both the US and Russia, as well as the ESA, if all relevant facts about past missions were shared, to make the exploration of space a lot safer, as one side would no doubt learn from another's mistakes.
I am sure that this step would actually save lives over time, but no doubt because of the ingrained thinking of those in charge of these programmes, this will never come to pass, old habits die hard as they say, and I am sure that there are likely a few old stagers that think if one of the other country's astro/cosmonauts dies in a space accident, then that is some sort of perverted 'win' for their system.
I am sure that the Soviet Union's coverup of these early deaths was purely for propoganda, but for example, if these facts were shared, then perhaps for example the three Apollo 1 astronauts would not have been in the dangerous situation of an all-oxygen atmosphere in the cabin, having learned about the dangers from elsewhere. Three lives could have been saved that day if people had been more honest.
As one race on this planet, we should all pull together to make the exploration of space safer, as in the long run it will benefit all of us, never mind political points scoring on one side or the other.
Perhaps some day some people wil see the sense of this, but I am not holding my breath!

Originally posted by Illustronic
Apologies to Mr. Oberg should linking his research without permission is overstepping proper etiquette or for my lack of a thorough examination to provide the most pertinent direct links. Apologies to everyone for the uncalled for emotional outburst, something I need much better control of.

Just the opposite, it's an indication of excellent scholarship and top-flight manners. I'm gratified that when this subject revives, as it does periodically, it's not long before a skilled and insightful contributor locates and links to my studies of the old, old myth, and offers them to the discussion group for debate.

I think my material offers unique insights into the stories and their sources.

This is the very 'space mystery' that started me on my lifelong dedication to digging into the 'inner secrets of outer space', to separate myth and misinformation from amazing mysteries. It was a serious speculative theme in the 1960s that took decades to unravel.

Kudos, illustronic. And 'spasibo'.

Originally posted by royspeed
Firstly, thanks for everyone that has responded to this thread, the subject is intriguing.
I know that this is 'pie in the sky' thinking, but surely now the Cold War is consigned to the history books, it would benefit both the US and Russia, as well as the ESA, if all relevant facts about past missions were shared, to make the exploration of space a lot safer, as one side would no doubt learn from another's mistakes.

This is EXACTLY what Khrushchev wrote in his memoirs about the harmful secrecy surrounding the death of cosmonaut-trainee Bondarenko just weeks before the Gagarin mission. Spot on, royspeed, bull's eye.

Knowledge of the fiery death of that young man. whose widow I later exchanged letters with, MIGHT have pre-warned NASA enough so they could have avoided killing three Apollo astronauts in a very similar way six years later.

Originally posted by JimOberg

Originally posted by royspeed
Firstly, thanks for everyone that has responded to this thread, the subject is intriguing.
I know that this is 'pie in the sky' thinking, but surely now the Cold War is consigned to the history books, it would benefit both the US and Russia, as well as the ESA, if all relevant facts about past missions were shared, to make the exploration of space a lot safer, as one side would no doubt learn from another's mistakes.

This is EXACTLY what Khrushchev wrote in his memoirs about the harmful secrecy surrounding the death of cosmonaut-trainee Bondarenko just weeks before the Gagarin mission. Spot on, royspeed, bull's eye.

Knowledge of the fiery death of that young man. whose widow I later exchanged letters with, MIGHT have pre-warned NASA enough so they could have avoided killing three Apollo astronauts in a very similar way six years later.

There is also the aspect that those brave pioneers whose lives were sacrificed in the infancy of space flight...perhaps Man's most momentous endeavour...ought to be immortalised.