Any warning that I can get that I am about to meet my Maker would be appreciated. Same reason I would have told them. (To say nothing of last massages to family and loved ones).
I 100% agree. Not telling them was the wrong answer.
That was my thought too, they could have had a chance to make their peace and say their goodbyes at least. I guess what you think the kindest choice is may depend on whether you’re an atheist or not.
I think the crew should have been told. If they would have wanted to orbit longer, they might have felt better about being empowered to make that decision themselves than burning up in surprise, even if that burning only took several seconds.
Remember, some of the Challenger crew might have survived several minutes, even after hitting the ocean.
I think the information should’ve been made public, such that millions might have prayed for their safe return, though it might have seemed beyond all hope. All the more glory to God if through prayer, disaster might have been averted.
By coincidence, I’m a friend of one of McCool’s grandfathers, but I don’t believe that has influenced my opinion.
HF
Absolutely.
Anticipating a hard death would have been eased if that crew had known that their ground team were doing everything they could do to try to save them. It sounds like they didn't even respect the crew enough to consider allowing them to make the decision on whether to stay in orbit hoping for a miracle or going for re-entry and taking their chances.
Just a thought, how much would any one of us pay to have a last conversation with a dearly loved one?