Genesis Auger - End of Manned Capsule Worship?

Kim Keller wrote:
... The Constellation mission requirements will set the
design, not the failure of a Discovery-class low-budget unmanned
probe.


Agreed. But political forces can shape (and alter) the
mission requirements. I seem to recall that many in
Congress weren't initially happy with the idea of the space
shuttle, which in the minds of many serves as a symbol
of U.S. technological prowess and power, being replaced
by an "old-fashioned" capsule that seems derived from the
ideas of international competitors Russia and China.
Note that funding for the Constellation effort has not
flowed as freely as many would like. I'm just wondering
if the Genesis smashdown could provide leverage to those who
would rather not see U.S. astronauts returning to Earth in
an "undigified" "can" suspended beneath parachutes (that may
or may not open they can now say while playing back the
Genesis "splashdown" videos).

- Ed Kyle