I agree, and sending John Glenn back into space was the height of politicalization-no redeeming scientific/military value.
Why were there 7 on board? Surely all know after Challenger that these are extremely complex and dangerous craft? There is a place for pilots, but the space tourists?
None of the crew were "tourists". They were trained mission specialists carrying on experiments on board, IIRC there were over 80 separate experiments on this mission.