A country, let's say Nonsuch Republic, makes a political decision to make a global name for itself in a 'Space Race' context in the 1950's. So, it gathers its top scientists to make it happen. Fast forward for whatever reason it can't get its astronauts to a planet called Orange by the deadline. So it uses footage from some of its numerous training sessions simulating arriving on Orange.
Why wouldn't this country just push back their launch schedule so they can fly the mission for real? Why would this country continue to fake missions even after they could complete these missions for real for seven additional times?
In the 1960s the United States didn't make a global name for itself because of space exploration. We were famous for our industries, and vast middle-class, and space was just one aspect of who we were, and still are. Problem with your thesis is it has zero real-world application. The Apollo program was already two years behind schedule by the time 11 landed on the moon. Sure there was backdrop of fulfilling JFK's promise to land on the moon before 1970, but the fact is NASA was ready to do this at least a year earlier, maybe more.
And a few Apollo missions had their launches postponed for weather and technical issues.
This goes down very well and is deemed globally as highly successful. Over time all school children are taught the physics of walking on Orange, based on these videos (as imagined by Nonsuch Republic's top brains).
So this mythical country has zero scientists of any kind, and no science programs in schools based on centuries of research? In this world they just make stuff up, and pass it along to children as fact?
You are projecting.
In the US and elsewhere children were taught about the difference between the earth and lunar gravity decades before Sputnik. Again, you've overreached.
Educational institutions teach that what is seen in the 50's videos are 'real life' on Orange. So, centre of gravity is calculated on the basis of analysis of the video, likewise, how the astronauts walk and move. Ditto appearance of the sky and landscape.
Why would they teach it that way? How stupid are these people? And what kind scientists bases their gravity calculations bases on video? And I've never been to Io, but I'm pretty sure the sky is black when not facing Jupiter. Also, WE KNOW WHAT THE GRAVITY ON IO IS AND IT'S RATIO TO EARTH.
You say you read books, do they come with crayons, or do you buy those separately?
Here's your problem: are you able to assess the claims objectively, or will your education based on Nonsuch Republic's simulations take sovereignty?
Your problem is you are not objective. You approach each topic with your mind already made up, and shape your opinions by ignoring evidence that contradicts your beliefs. You are no better than the folks I used to deal with in the paranormal "research" crowd. Not interested in solid facts, always embracing fringe ideologs, all against a backdrop of a basic lack of general knowledge of science, and history. This is demonstrated constantly.
The United States didn't brainwash the world in 1969. We built the rockets, we designed and built all the technologies, we trained our men, and we went to the moon a bunch of times. Every step is documented. You can still talk to some of the surviving techs who worked on the Saturn V, and NASA will show you everything.
