The mysterious first Cosmonaut?

[MG1962A]

Just curious... For many years there was a claim that before the first successful manned launch by the Soviets, there had been a previous failed flight.

I am sure this has been debunked, but just double checking my facts.

Thanks in advance

[PhantomWolf]

try here

edited to put right link in.

[AGN Fuel]

try here

edited to put right link in.

Did you read this bio among the 'phantom astronauts'?

Anthony (Tony) Nelson

[Sigma_Orionis]

Ah yes, he was launched from the secret Cocoa Beach facility.......

[ktesibios]

And let's not forget Major Healey.

[Obviousman]

Or Randy Claggett (from Michener's SPACE).

[MG1962A]

Thanks for the link and comments guys. What troubles me, this story came up in a Nat Geo documentary. I wanted to check my facts, because the thought that Nat Geo was getting sloppy was too much to bare

Sadly looks like it was sloppy research

[Nicolas]

NGC, Discovery, they're all appearing to go down the ladder...

It's sad, NGC used to be really nice.

[SpitfireIX]

NGC, Discovery, they're all appearing to go down the ladder...

It's sad, NGC used to be really nice.

It's the proliferation of cable channels, plus competition from other entertainment (infotainment?) sources, particularly the Internet. Ratings are declining, which means less money to spend on programming, and more desire to "sex up" (both literally and figuratively) and "dumb down" content in an attempt to increase ratings. At least in the US we still have PBS, which is (mostly) immune to such pressures, being not-for-profit.

[GDwarf]

NGC, Discovery, they're all appearing to go down the ladder...

It's sad, NGC used to be really nice.

It's the proliferation of cable channels, plus competition from other entertainment (infotainment?) sources, particularly the Internet. Ratings are declining, which means less money to spend on programming, and more desire to "sex up" (both literally and figuratively) and "dumb down" content in an attempt to increase ratings. At least in the US we still have PBS, which is (mostly) immune to such pressures, being not-for-profit.

Unfortunatly the only PBS station I get here is in serious financial trouble, going on donation drives about twice a year. Now, they may just be greedy, but I doubt it.

[SpitfireIX]

Unfortunatly the only PBS station I get here is in serious financial trouble, going on donation drives about twice a year. Now, they may just be greedy, but I doubt it.

No, that's normal--PBS has nationwide pledge drives every year.

Here is a revenue breakdown from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting's web site, in US dollars.

CPB

Public Broadcasting Revenue for FY2003

Total Revenue
$2,333,498,000

Total Non-federal Revenue
$1,878,848,000 80.5%

26.1% $609,210,000
Membership contributions

15.5% $362,809,000
CPB*

15.1% $351,398,000
Business

13.6% $317,482,000
State Governments

7.9% $184,493,000
State Colleges

6.7% $155,493,000
Foundations

5.6% $131,055,000
All Other**

3.9% $91,841,000
Federal Grants and Contracts

2.4% $56,263,000
Local Governments

1.6% $36,988,000
Private Colleges and Universities

1.1% $25,112,000
Other Public Colleges and Universities

0.5% $11,354,000
Auction


*Does not include separate appropriation for Digital and Interconnection.
**I.e. major gifts, bequests, and endowment.