Recon mission with 90%+ chance of failure
The mission was never expected to be 100% successful with both crews intact. Why would you send the very best of the best to their deaths? All the best people for the job will only increase the success rate 1% or 2%.
Wouldn't you rather send the young, expendable geniuses and save the best for later missions? If you have ever seen the anime "Majestic Prince", you would understand what I'm talking about.