NEWS RELEASE LO_,

f" ASE

.UMBER TITLE ] _; TE
_,_._.

65-1 _ AstronaUtHawaiigeological field tr_in'__'_._l_

_ _:"_' _ _-65
Modification of Titan launch complex at Cape _ Cape
65-2 at saving of $5 million 1-10-65 Dateline

65-3 Addi_onal parasail tests scheduled this month 1-11-6_

65-4 MSC o_en house for employee families on 1-16 1-11-65

65-5 Speech in Bi S Sprin_, Texas _-13-65_(AP4)

65-6 v_ CSD usin_ x-rays to take "inside'look" at

pressure suit mobility and comfort 1-20-65

Lectures planned under sponsbrship of Gulf
65-7 Coast Science Foundation 1-15-65 (AP4)

65-8 Wardell to s_eak Nat'l Electrical Manf. Assoc 1-15-65 (AP4)

35 members of Flight Acceleration Branch of
55-9 CSD moving into Bldg. _29 on 1-19-65 1-1_-65
-_ Results on GT-2 attempt on December 9, 1964
_5-10 (Cape dateline) .-1_-65

GLV-3 shipped to Cape Kennedy today from

65-12 Martin Co. at Baltimore (Cape dateline) _-_1-65

Results on Mission Control Center operation

65-14 durin_ GT-2 mission 1-19-65
Results on 3 tests of Gemini spacecraft esca
65-15 & recovery systems at E1 Centro, Calif. 1-2_-65

NOTE TO EDITORS-GT-3 crews available for intel 1-28-65

,iews 2-1 through 2-5-65.

3 Gemini astronaut's personal parachute tests
65-]6 completed successfully at E1 Centro, Calif. 2-2-65
MSC ask for proposals on head-and-shoulders
65-17 _ dummy capable of hearing & speaking electronically 2-11-65
 NEWS RELEASE LOG

_LEASE

NUMBER TITLE DATE

Shakedown test at WSO of 1st major piece of

65-18 of Apollo flight type hardware -Las Cruces 2-5-65
Gemini spacecraft 3 being prepared for series
65-19 of tests before being mated to launch vehicle 2-5-65

:Eighth test of gemini spacecraft recovery sys-

65-20 tem conducted successfully at E1 Centro, Calif_ 2-5-65
Foreign scientist invited to conference on
65-21(DC) Apollo experiments 2-8-65

65-22 Average Astronaut 2-10-65

Transfer of 41 engineers and matehematicians
65-23 from KSC to MSC 2-12-65
Astronauts continue series of geological field
65-24 trips in AR_'s N_v_ Test Site beain 2-16 2-12-65
Two men from MSC winners of _65 Arthur S.
65-25 Fleming award 2-12-65
(china Lake) Qualification seat ejection escape system test
65-26 successful 2-12-65

- 65-27 %stronauts assignments 2-16-65

65-28 "In the barrel" Astronauts 2-16-65

65-29 Dr. Reynolds named Asst. Mgr. of ASPO 2-16-65

Shea to speak
65-30 Gulf Coast Science Lecture Series 2-16-65
|
65-31 Gemini Spacecraft No. 3 _oined to launch vehicle 2-18-65
Parasail system land test as water drop in
65-32 galveston bay on 2-24 _ 2-23-65
AC Spark Plug signed 5 yr contract for guidance
65-33 and navigation systems(S235 million contract / 3-3-65

65-34 William Lee named Asst Apollo Program Mgr. 2-26-65

65-35 Problems 3-1-65

65-36 Gemini Mission Profile no date

65-37 _anding rocket system test scheduldd EAFB 3-5 3-4-65

65-38 Pressure suit qualification test program comp 3-5-65

 NEWS RELEASE LOG

_-_LEASE
NUMBER TITLE DATE

65-39 Eolar telescope to be installed at MSC 3-8-65

65-40 Mission Control Center-Houston 3-12-65

Dr. Walter C. Randall, Chairman of Dept. of
65-41 Physiology, Loyola University, to speak 3-8-65

65-42 v Simulated landings on lunar surface made 3-11-65

65-43 Bad weather could delay GT-3 3-15-65

65-44 Flight controllers

Dr. Lewis F. Hatch, Graduate Professor of
65-45 Chemistry, Univeristy of Texas, to speak 3-31-65

65-46 Summer Faculty Fellowship Program 3-31-65

65-47 Regional finals of a science congress at MSC 4-6-65

HQS. REL. GT-4 to be controlled from MCC-H 4-9-65
65-48 Art exhibit in auditorium 4-9-65
Editors Announcement of parasail-landing rocket
Note developmental system at Fort Hood 4-12-65
Announcement of parasail-landing rocket
65-49 at Fort Hood 4-13-65

65-50 _ Chamber "A" passes structural integrity test 4-15-65

65-51 Press conference with McDivitt & White sched. 4-21-65

Memo to Series of briefings and demonstrations showin,
press astronaut training devices and facilities 4-21-65
Operation on Aldrin's right knee successful
65-52 4-23-65

65-53 Ast. Aldrin to undergo surgery tomorrow. 4-22-65

65-54 MSC/U of H Graduate Education Center 4-29-65

C. W. Mathews' Notes for Press Briefing -

65-55 Prefliqht activities no date

65-56 , Transcript of Mathews' press briefing on GT-3 } 5-3-65
Development of landing rocket system for Apollo
65-57 test to take place Tues., May 11, 1965 | 5-7-65
 NEWS RELEASE LOG

NUMBER TITLE DATE

Dr. Piccard to be principal speker at awards

65-58 ceremony at Hiqh School Sciences Seminar 5-8 5-8-65

65-59 Apollo space suit 5-12-65

65-60 SPARC PAOE Release 5-24-65

65-61 LSEpLproposals being sought 6-10-65

Office
65-62 Piland named manager of Experiments Program 6-10-65

65-63 Six scientist-astronauts named w/pix Released 2pm 6-28

Hqs.
Release Thompson appointed mission director 6-26-65
Rendezvous attempt to De made Dy Guidance
65-64 and Control 7-1-65

NASA to negotiate with Federal Electric

-65-65 COrD for MSC support services 7-1-65

65-66 Gemini VII group named 7-1-65

Hqs.
65-228 NASA Equips Pegasus C with detachable panels

65-67 MSC presents vaudeville Revisited 7-8-65 _

65-68 PLSS delivered to the Crew Systems Division 8-2-65

Contract to
65-69 Dynalectro D maintenance support for aircraft 8-2-65

65-70 Helicopter damaqed durinq traininq 7-21-65

constructior
65-71 Three story office & lab for CSD under 8-4-65
surface package
Hqs. 260 Three fi_s selected to desiqn Apollo lunar 8-4-65

6_-72 200 personnel to be transferred from MSFC 8-4-65

MSC/HQS.
65-73 128 AF Officers assiqneQ to NASA's MSC 8-13-65

--_ .74 . NASA slects Lockheed for support svcs at Hou. 8-13-65

7_ Gemini 5 crew. to undergo 11 days of debriefin![ 8-13-65

 NEWS RELEASE LOG

- _F_LEASE
NUMBER TITLE DATE

Science fair winners to view Gemini 5 from

65-76 MSC 8-16-65

Manned paraglider testing at Edwards AFB

65-77 resumed 9-2-65
Retrieval of lost Mercury boilerplate, lost
65-78 since 5-31-_ 9-15-65
65-79
HQS& MSC NASA to select additional pilot astronauts 9-10-65

Westinghouse engineers begin tests on centrift e

65-80 fawilitv 9-13-65

1
 NEWS RELEASE LOG

- -- ' _-_LEASE
NUMBER TITLE DATE

65-81 Flight hardware for Apollo 9-17-65

Gemini 7 spacecraft successfully completes

65-82 altitude chamber tests 9-20-65
Ling Timco Vought selected as contractor for 9-22-65
65-83 enqineerinq support services at White S_nds Te_t Facility
Radiation contract signed with
65-84 Tracerlab 9-24-65

65-85 _T-6 launch date announced 9-25-65

three contracts awarded foranalytical studies
65-86 Df parasail 10-7-65

65-87 Photography in space flight 10-8-65

65-88 Chop to address officials in San Antonio 10-8-65

6=-89 5ightweight Gemini space suit undergoing _ests 10-11-65

65-90 9chultse and members of Bureau of Budged to 10-11-65

_isit MSC
P

65-91 NATO college to visit MSC 10-12-65

stations
65-92 Remote flight controllers on way to tracking 10-14-65

65-93 NASA TO negotiate with Lockheed for computer 10-15-65

programming support

65-94 Test series on extravehicular activity comp_t_

by engineers of Crew Systems 10-18-65

' 10-19-65

65-95 Berry to receive exception service medal

 NEWS RELEASE LOG

- _F_LEAS E
NUMBER TITLE DATE

65-96 New bubble helmet 10-21-65

65-97 Contract extension for support of Real-time 10'21-65

Computer Complex

65-98 Meteorite finds in Texas increasing 10-28-65

65-99 Agena Review Bpard NAMED 10-27-65

65-100 Test scheduled of paraglider recovery system 10-28-65

65-101 LCU undergoes face lifting(Retriever) 11-5-65

65-102 International Latex and Ham Standard to engag

in research & development work on Apollo spac suits and

portable life support system. 11-5-65

65-103 NASA announces launch of Gemini 7 on Dec. 4 11-9-65

65-104 Qual_ication test scheduled for Chamber B 11-12-65 ,

Life
65-105 Extravehicular/Support System & Extravehicu] _r

Support Pack qualification tests scheduled 11-18-65

65-106 Solar Particle Alert Network to study radiation

coming from sun 11-22-65

65-107 FY 65 procurements at MSC totals $1,487.4 mil lion 11-22-65

65-108 Four companies, Lockheed, McDonnell, Mar{in _d

Northrop, to perform 4-month design studies

I

Experiments pallet for Apollo 11-22-65

64-1D9 Flight Controllers deploy for locations

- Fn_ _m 7/6 _n_n t ll-2_-_

65-110 Ice cream being studied as space food 11-23-65

 NEWS RELEASE LOG

-- __LEASE
NUMBER TITLE DATE

65-111 Medical report on results of medical tests 12-21-65

of Gemini 7 astronauts.
NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION

MANNED
SPACECRAFT IHouson
· ENTE . Texas
HO 3-4231 MSC 65-1
January 4, 1965

HOUSTON, TEXAS -- U.S. astronauts will continue their geology

field training in January when they go to the Hawaiian Islands for

a close-up look at active volcanoes.

The geology sessions will be held starting January 11 on the

island of Hawaii. The astronauts will ascend the twin peaks of

Mauna Loa and Mauna Kea, and also examine the Kilauea Crater. The

astronauts will go to Hawaii in two groups. Each group will spend

five days in geological exploration of the island.

On Mauna Loa, the astronaut groups will be given field problems

dealing with mapping and relative age of the lava flows. They will

also study problems of rock sample collection.

On one of the days, the astronauts will be flown by charter

plane around the imland to get an overall view of its geological

features. Later in the day, they will go to the Volcano Observatory

for a lecture on geophysics and a look at the seismographs which

record the tremblings of the volcanic island.

The island of Hawaii is one of the world's best examples of

shield volcanoes. Geologists believe some of the features on the

moon may be caused by shield volcanoes. The astronauts will also

--more--
Add 1
MSC 65-1

study olivine basalt, a dark lava which may also be found on the

maria or "seas", dark areas on the moon. They will also examine

cinder cones and other volcanic features which may be similar on

the lunar surface.

The Hawaiian names for the lava flows which the astronauts

will study are more exotic. The blocky, rough basalt is known as

a a (ah-ah) and the ropey-surfaced lava is called phoehoe (pahoyhoy).

Dr. Howard Powers, director of the Volcano Observatory, will

be chief lecturer for the astronauts on this field trip. He will

be assisted by Dr. A1 Chidester of the U.S. Geological Survey, and

Dr. Ted Foss, head of MSC's Geology and Geochemistry Section.

"We hope there may be a volcanic eruption while we are on the

field trip," Dr. Foss stated, "Hawaiian eruptions are not violent,

and it would give the astronauts valuable first hand information on

the behavio_ of shield volcanoes in action."

The astronauts day by day schedule is:

First day -- Arrive at Hilo Airport and travel to Volcano House,

base of operations for the field trip.

Second day -- Field trip begins. Examine rim of Kitauea crater

and lava flow from Kilauea south of Hilo.

Third day -- Visit Kilauea Iki crater. Walk down to floor of

Kilauea crater to Halemaumau (Smoking Pit) then take automobiles

down Chain of Craters Road.

--more--
Add 2
MSC 65-1

Fourth day -- Air tour of the island by chartered plane.

Second part of the day will be spent at Volcano Observatory for

geophysics lecture.

Fifth day -- Ascend Mauna Kea, Hawaii's highest volcano.

Observe cinder cones on volcano's peak. Spend night at Pahaka

Loa State Park.

Sixth day -- Ascend Mauna Loa, Hawaii's second highest vol-

cano. Descend to Kailua on West Coast, where trip ends.

· _ _ _ _ _ _ _ L_ _ L_ _ _ _

NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND $PAOF ADM NISTRATION

'"AliNED SPACECRA
EN
HU 3-4231 MSC 65-2
3anuary 10, 1965

CAPE KENNEDY, FLA, -- The National Aeronautics and Space Administra-

tion will modify a Titan launch complex at Cape Kennedy this month,

and put it to use for preflight testing of Apollo spacecraft, saving

NASA $5 million.

The $2 million modification nF an existing launch complex re-

places a proposed $7 million static test facility originally planned

for construction at the Cape's Merritt Island Launch Area (MILA).

First tests of the Apollo service module are expected to begin

in mid-1965. Later, in 1966, static tests of the lunar excursion

module (LEM) will begin at the modified Launch Complex 16. Work to

convert the launch pad will begin January 20, and is expected to be

completed in May.

Titan launch complexes are designed to test separately the

first and second stages of Titan I and II missiles. First stage

positions Will be converted to tes_ service modules; second stage

positions will be used to test the LEMs.

--more--
Add 1
MSC 65-2

Spacecraft modules will undergo complete preflight checkout,

including leak tests, systems tests, hot firings and gimballing.

Static tests will also be useful to checkout ground servicing equip-

ment and to fam[liarize personnel with pad procedureS.

Since Titan l_unch vehicles use the same hypergolic propellants

as the two Apollo mooh_es, propellant storage, transfer and loading

facilities at Pad 16 will be retained. The modification will be

mechanical, electrical and structural.

Three Titan launch complexes will remain operational at the

Cape.
 ·
NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION

HIIlILU OrHOLUIIH//_'m"_-- . ._'_--;:'ri',: _'_

CENTFR T e x a s
HUnter 3-4231 MSC 65-3
January 11, 1965

HOUSTON, TEXAS -- Additional parasail tests have been scheduled

in Trinity Bay this month by the Manned Spacecraft Center engineers

and technicians.

Two water drops are scheduled to precede the first earth landing

test at Fort Hood, Texas. The parasail will be the smaller version,

69.7 feet in diameter, and it will not carry landing rockets in the

water drops. In previous tests, an 80-foot parasail was used.

Project engineers want to re-evaluate the turn motor rigging

_lines on the new chute and gain more experience in remote control

guidance of the smaller parasail.

The boilerplate spacecraft will be dropped from a C-119 aircraft

at 11,200 feet. It will be radio-controlled by a project engineer

aboard the motor vessel Retriever, and will be recovered after the

drop.

In another phase of preparation for the land tests, landing gear

deployment is being qualified on a boilerplate vehicle at a test rig

at Ellington AFB. The first test in a series of three was conducted

January 5.

--more--
Add 1
MSC 65-3

The landing gear will be identical to that originally proposeC

for use with the paraglider on Gemini. Both _he parasail and the

paraglider are developmental programs and are not scheduled for use

as landing equipment for any Gemini flights. A standard 84 ft. ring-

sail parachute will be used for all Gemini recoveries.

The parasail landing gear consists of tricycle, skid-type land-

ing struts. The nose gear is a telescoping type and is deployed by

the thrust of compressed nitrogen gas. The two main gear are posi-

tioned beneath the cabin of the spacecraft. They are deployed by

small solid propellant actuators, and lock into place by means of

angle braces. The skids, metal shoes on the end of the gear, are

automatically trimmed by cable mechanism at full gear extension.

The pyrotechnic actuators which deploy the gear have been

tested with simulated laods by the McDonnell Aircraft Corp. The

MSC tests combine the actuators and the landing gear for the first

time.

HI;;J
,_1/ vA'
i _TIONAL AERONAUTICS
:4 q q
AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION
,--
MANNED SPACECRAFT ,.._._Hous41:on
_IIIIC ENTE RilIIMM______ _t. Texa S
HU 3-4231 MSC 65-4
January 11, 1965

HOUSTON, TEXAS -- Manned Spacecraft Center will hold an

open house for employee and on-site contractor families only

from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, January 16.

i;/lll
I____mat_on irsm the

KATIC_L AF_RO.NAL_flCS_lq3 SPAC_ AD_N_STRATIuN

}tA_NhT_D
SPACECRAFT CEN'z_
HOU_TOh_ TEY_S 77058

January 13, 1965

Don J. 3-4432
RXlnter Green _'
t[_t__
Area Code 713 · ,!,
t

65-5 (4) _ _ ._(

c Q

HOUSTON_ TEXAS -- Don J. Green_ a spaceflight information specialist

at the Manned Spacecraft Center, will address prominent civic leaders and

students in Big Spring during a community services program January 18 and 19.

He will speak to the Air Force Association and to members of the high

school during the two day visit.

In a speech describing the impact of the space program_ Mr. Green will

discuss current progress and planned activities of the mmnmed space flight

program. His speeches are entitled_ "Gemini: Twins in Space_" and

"Footprints on the Moon."

-more-
 -2-

Both the opportunities and da_ers of these _merica_n space projects

will occupy the speaker in his talks. _an will launch his greatest voyage

of discovery before 1970_ Green will tell the audience. The pitfalls of

space flight will be navigated and there will be footprints in the lunar

dust.

The speaker's background includes many years as a newsman. Prior to

joining the space agency_ Green served nine years as an aerospace writer

for a news service in Chicago. His articles on related subjects have

appeared in technical journals and national magazines.

Green covered space probes frm Cape Canaveral as early as 1958_

including the flights made by John Glenm_ Jr. and other astronauts. The

speaker is a member of the Aviation/Space Writers Association_ a professional

organization of newsmen who cover the space program.

Green holds a Rese_e comm_ ssion in the United States Air Force. His

current assisnment in the event of mobilization is as the Information Staff

Officer with the 12th Air Force_ Tactical Air Comm_ad, Waco_ Texas. He has

previously held a staff position as Intelligence Officer with the Air Defense

CommRnd_ _dison_ Wisconsin_ and is a veteran of World War II.

The speaker received a Bachelor of Arts degree from Hasting College

in Nebraska and worked on a Master of Science degree in journalism at

Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois.

In his present position with the National Aeronautics and Space Administration

in Houston_ Green works in a speakers bureau in the Public Affairs Office.

Previously his speciality was covering the fields of flight operations

and training. He Joinea NASA in january_ 1963.

 ...... _ u -'a u'
IN IONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION

,_iANNED SPACECRAF
=_'=:- _'_"' ' . _THous_on
.........
........... _.T_L:C
ENTE -'=_- ' >,-.,_._._,_.,,__,_..f,
"_":"":_=>:"_'
._'Il. 1'_ _ _a.
HUnter 3-4231 MSC 65-6
January 20, 1965

HOUSTON, TEXAS -- Manned Spacecraft engineers and medical per-

sonnel in Crew Systems Division are using x-rays to take an "inside

look" at pressure suit mobility and comfort.

Through the use of x-ray still photographs and 16mm motion

pictures, suit engineers, and design and medical personnel are able

to determine what parts of the,suits may be hampering mobility and

_ow the situation can be corrected.

Since the astronaut must be able to move outside his vehicle

in later Gemini flights, and walk and work on the surface of the

moon after the Apollo lunar landing, the pressure suit must allow

the subject to move as freely as possible.

The x-ray studies are carried out at the Baylor University

School of Medicine in Houston under the direction of Dr. V. P.

Collins and Dr. Zoltan Petrany. Test subjects are filmed both

unsuited and suited for mobility comparisons, and Atomic Energy

Commission standards are followed for x-ray exposure of all sub-

jects. Subjects are volunteer NASA employees who fit the suit

)eing tested and Army officers from a local reserve unit,

--more--
Add 1
MSC 65-6

Such factors as determination of the eye-heart angle are impor-

tant in controlling the effects of acceleration. Also, the angular

ranges of joint mobility, the suit restrictions on mobility and com-

parisons between Gemini and Apollo suit mobility are being studied.

Movements which the subjects perform include head nodding and

rotation, movements of shoulder, elbow, wrist, hand and thumb-finger

opposition. Leg movements concentrate on the hip, knee and ankle.

"A valuable feature of the tests is the immediate feedback it

provides to the suit contractor and NASA suit engineers," said Dr.

Robert Jones, MSC project director. "Re can x-ray the suit in the

morning, examine the results, modify the suit, and x-ray it again

on the same day to evaluate the modification."

L_
C0

_9
Infcrmation from the

NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION

MANNED SPACECRAF_ CE_
HOUSTON, TEXAS 77058
January 15, 1965
Don J. Green
HUnter 3-4432
Area Code

65-7 (5)

f(

HOUSTON_ TEXAs -- A series of lectures by distinguished scientists

are planned for high school students and science teachers in the Gulf

Coast area. The talks are under the _ponsorship of the Gulf Coast Science

Foundation with assistance from the NASA Manned Spacecraft Center.

A total of four Saturday evening programs are pl-nmmd. They will begin

in January and continue through April. The first am_ fourth lectures will

be held at Clear Creek High School with the other two scheduled for _SC.

-more-
 -2-

Colonel John E. Pickering_ USAFj Deputy for Research and Development,

Aerospace Medical Division_ Brooks Air Force Bas% Texas_ will open the

series on J_nuary 30.

His subject will be "The Biological Effect of Atomic Radiation."

Purpose of the series is to stimulate interest in the fields of

science among students_ teachers and adults of the area.

MSC personnel associated with the Gulf Coast Science Foundation

include Dr. Robert R. Gilruth_ Director; Max Faget_ Assistant Director for

Engineering and Development; Charles A. Berryj M.D._ Chief of Center Medical

Programs; Edward L. H_ys_ Assistant Chief for Engineering in the Crew

Systems Division_ and Dr. Donald E. Stullken_ He_d of the Recovery Operations

Branch of the Landing and Recovery Division.

II I! ;1 Il II
_/i it# tiii
in rma:_i : ir m %ke

PJ_UiCi_A AERSi_L_iCS A2_ SPA_ AD_XiSST_3-TICX

}_D SPACECP32T ENTER
HOUSTON_ TEllS 77015
januar_ ip, iau_
D_n J. Green
HUnter 3-4_32
Area Code 71}
_rg_v _P

HOUSTON_ ?EX_S -- Anvh.,n_/ W. Wardell_ of the Reliabilit ama Quality

0ffi e at the 5_aP_r_edSpace-raft Center_ will be the prin;ipal speaker

at a tw_ ds(,'meeting f the Nati..nal Electrical Y_nufacturers Azscciatz n

in New Orleans; Louisiana on January i_ ama i_.

P,epresen_ir_g the National Aez'_nautis:: ana 2_'a e Ad-min' _rati .n_

Was'dell will :_zmm_rize pez-f_rmam e 'equirement. ,..tabli Ired in th_ _pa _-

craft's eie:trical system. Hi_ audien:e will :on, i t _i' appr_x±mate/_

pr_ silents ar.a top exetuSives of wire manufa_turir. _! 'm..

-_lsre-
 -2-

"_pia Zazisnal g_al f a _unay la_,iiz~_a£_d :ale z'_,tu:'n

vc ca:'th

de._mac ultra-high reiiabilit[,%" Waraazl will tell the ale:tri2al

_anuf acturer s.

There is n racm for errcr_ ac%rding tz _,[ardell. Electrical wiring

czula _._ke the differen e bevwean uccess and failure.

?foe _pea_er_z bac_r_ur_a in iudes mar_; _,-ear_ag a mecha_ni_ai engi;_eer

with industrial firms. He vas an aircrafz hydraulic and flight _.ntr_ls

zyttems reiia:_iiity engineer with L ck_eed C _:raticn_ 'k,_-'i

tta_ _orgia

[_r three _ears_ a_nd has al_ seen employed _'ith an er_gineering :'irm in

Huntavill% Alabama eana with the Chrysler Cc_poraticn. Detr it.

Wardell "eaeived a Bachel_r f M_chanical Er_ineecic_; degree _rcm

Georgia Tach and a ;._ster f Autcm tire Engineering ccgree frm the

Chrysler Institute f E,_.gine£rir_.

Hi:_ research efforts ha,'e been limited t the fields _f mezallic

mate:-ials and h_w thej a_fe:t -_aw safezy in space flight.

in his present p _:it- n with ]_A_ in HouzT,_,n. Wad"deli w_rks as a

flight safety speziaiist _n environmental ;ants' i systems. He Ocined

_ASA in Janua_?_ 19'_f.

He is a member cf the f il,wir_g h noraz? engineering f'raternitie::

Tau '_ta Pi, and Pi Tau Sig_a.

Wardell was barn in Br_i'n, New Z_rk n Janus:i- ii, 19_2.

'NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION

'.4ANNEDSPACERAFI ?
/IiIC H°ust°n
HUnter 3-4231 MSC 65-9
January 18, 1965

HOUSTON, TEXAS -- Thirty five members of the Flight Acceleration

Branch of Crew Systems Division will be moving into their new quarters

in Bldg. #29 Tuesday.

The administrative wing of the two storey building, containing

17,000 square feet, has been accepted for occupancy by the Manned

Spacecraft Center. The centrifuge, which is housed in the circular

portion of the building, is 75 per cent complete. Acceptance tests

on the centrifuge arm, gondola, and motor assembly are scheduled to

begin in several months.

The centrifuge is designed to produce the effects of high ac-

celeration on test subjects, who ride in the gondola on the end of

a 50 ft. rotating arm. The forces which build up during launch and

reentry of a spacecraft can be simulated inside the facility. The

MSC centrifuge gondola can carry three men, effectively simulating

the environment of an Apollo lunar mission.

The Flight Acceleration Branch has been located on the 2nd

floor of Bldg. #4, prior to the move. The General Accounting Office,

now located at Ellington AFB, are scheduled to move into the vacated

office space in Bldg. _ 4.

NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION

MAHHEDSPACECRAFT
,Houson
CENTER Taxa S
HUnter 3-4231 MSC 65-10
January 18, 1965

CAPE KENNEDY, FLORIDA -- On December 9, 1964, an attempt to

launch GT-2 was aborted when a hydraulic system failure caused the

launch vehicle's first stage engines to shut down automatically

1.0021 seconds after ignition.

At that time, indications were that the hydraulic failure ini-

tiated a series of events which included abrupt engine gimbaling

and switchover to the backup guidance and control system, which

caused engine shutdown. In a case like that, the circuitry is such

that the booster automatically shuts down and lift off can not occur

on backup guidance.

Investigation showed that the failure resulted from high back

pressure in a hydraulic line which broke the aluminum housing of a

servovalve. The valve is part of an actuator which regulates the

movement of an engine thrust chamber. The actuator is part of the

booster's steering devices.

Engineering film revealed that the engine did not gimbal. How-

ever, such a signal was produced. The thrust chamber position sensor,

which transmits thrust chamber movement signals, is located in a cavity

near a tapered extension of the actuator piston rod, which controls

thrust chamber movement. When the rod moves, a plunger is depressed,

--more--
 • i

Add 1
MSC 65-10

_ and thrust chamber movement is recorded.

When the servovalve failed, hydraulic fluid filled the cavity,

creating high pressure which depressed the plunger and created an

erroneous signal that the thrust chambers had moved. The loss of

hydraulic pressure caused the switchover to backup guidance and

the resultant automatic engine shutdown. The backup guidance system

: has a completely independent hydraulic system.

Modifications to prevent a recurrence of such a failure include

i

increasing the thickness of the servovalve housing from 3/16 to 3/8

of an inch and changing part of the hydraulic system.

To insure against the creation of high back pressure, a force

limiter in the hydraulic line has been modified to permit increased

fluid flow. _%e hydraulic line has been rerouted to bypass another

device which limits flow for other functions, but is not required

for servovalve operation during engine starting. The force limiter

serves as a shock absorber.

The modifications are being included in all Gemini launch ve-

hicles.

A small leak in one of the regenerative fuel coolant tubes in

the thrust char_er of the booster's No. 2 engine has been repaired

and the tube has been tested successfully. The tube was damaged

slightly by rapid heating, then cooling during ignition and shutdown.

 · .___ L__. ?f

NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION

.f

HUnter 3-4231 MSC 65-11

January 30, 1965

HOUSTON, TEXAS -- A new device for simulating some of the motion

problems experienced in zero and lunar gravity is undergoing checkout

in the Manned Spacecraft Center's Crew Systems Division.

Called the six degree of operational freedom simulator, the

device consists of two 12 ft. booms with ballast buckets, and a

-ersonnel cradle. Through the use of ball bearing joints and a gim-

hal system, a test subject can achieve 360 degrees rotation in roll

pitch and yaw. He can move nine feet vertically, and has a horizon-

tal range 24 feet in diameter.

The feeling of weightlessness comes from balancing the man's

weight exactly with lead weights in the ballast bucket. Since his

body has no "weigh%", he has full freedom of motion. However, it

is a suspended type of weightlessness rather than the free fall

weightlessness of outer space. The test subject will only have

total body weightlessness.

The simulator will be used for evaluating such items as space

%ool concepts and spacecraft tethering lines. It can give a

--more--
Add 1
MSC 65-11

continuous and long term weightless simulation. An aircraft only

attains 20-30 seconds flying gravity cancelling parabolas. Special

problems arising from simulator work can be validated by the Air

Force C-135 aircraft.

In zero "g" simulations, the subject is strapped firmly in

the personnel cradle. He cannot move his legs or torso. His arms

are free to provide torque by pushing away from a spacecraft, pulling

a tethering line, or using a tool.

When the device is balanced to provide one sixth gravity, a

bicycle seat is substituted for the lower half of the personnel

cradle. The suited man is then able to practice walking under the

reduced gravity conditions.

A ventilation and breathing line runs through the simulator

to the personnel cradle, where it can be attached to the man's

pressure suit.

Project engineer for the simulator is Earl LaFevers and Jack

Slight is principal test subject for the device.

?
_z

L'x3
NATIONAL AERONAUT;CS AND SPACE ADMiNtSTRAi-iO,'".

HUnter 3-4231 MSC 65-12

January 21, 1965

CAPE KENNEDY, FLORIDA -- The second stage of Gemini Launch

Vehicle No. 3, scheduled to place two men into orbzt this sprlng

was shipped to Cape Kennedy today from the Martzn Company pa-._t

at Baitzmore.

The first stage of _he vehicle, a modzfied Air Force Titan II,

zs scnecuied to be shipped Saturday.

Erectzon of GLV-3 on Pad 19 zs expected to be completed some-

time Monday. _ais is the pad from which an unmanned, suborbital

Gemini flight was conducted successfully January 19.

Normally both stages are transported together in a C-133 air-

craft. However, this type aircraft was grounded recently by the

Air Force, anc GLV-3 is Deln_ flown _o the Cape aboard the Pregnant

Guppy, a modified Boeing S aratocruiser which is not capaole of

handlin_ oo_h s_ages togeuher.

--more--
XSC - i2

_iata on abe success of u.le mission, _ile Geml.:i Pro, ram Orzice

expecas GLV-3 aAd Spacecrafc 3 _o ce .latec oli _ile oa_ cee la aaer

2
Al _.iO .iiO_. _,_, Zlle 2a_iiCi veF_xo_e _.:c ___ soacecrz-u

will k,..aar o i seriea _ =_ _'- checkouts a.:c center aescs S-3ace-

_r_is r arrlvea aa a.le _s,,u _- o_,_-

..... rv S

'2..0 2ooi2Led rlv_r6u_Lo _ _O_s rot GzV-s are ava2_a,3_e ___.

',_ ,30 lhi aa -_e_ i.ic2,

eoia %alv _ 2 aer _:e la S .lOll % e£_icme is erec _ec

_.:_ _lC $6_ . iAS%a_2e CiO.i ¥J_--

' ce sort.cie'aec '
_.__ COii3U_%C _ioA wiah

dC_lVLJieS .-C_._l_y eerEorleo ac _x86 Eime. Tie actuators were

modir_ec foiiowinc E:ie exsuccessfui aAcemou co launch GT-2 ox

Decen.,3er 9.

_l_m _e _ne e_-_- "__ Objectives _,=

one s-er.D_a mlSSlOl are Lo eva_ua-ae o_e_ae_o._ of spacecra =-

sysae:-,s, L2_rola'_'_ 'sroce_ares, aha ale operaaiox of _7-e world-

wide ara_-klnc ie'cwork. Tile fl ___r__ crew CO'iSiSCS of Astronauas

dircil i Orissora ant _o2__ W. v_.-_

I_
I ;;;k'A'
TIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE
q -,r ADMINISTRATION
-
MANNED SPACECRAFT ,___Hous41:on
I/IlffilCENTER '/m/_____________t. 'rex_._
RUnter 3-4231 MSC 65-13
January 29, 1965

_OUSTON, TEXAS -- The seventh test of the Gemini spacecraft re-

covery system was completed successfully today at E1 Centro, Calif.

A minor malfunction was encountered in another test of the Gemini

astronauts' personal parachute, although the chute itself worked per-

fectly and the jumper landed safely.

In the recovery system test, a Gemini spacecraft was again dropped

from an altitude of 33,000 feet. The drogue and main parachutes

_dnctioned as planned.

In the personal chute test, a pyrotechnic device designed to cut

away the astronaut's backboard and egress kit after his parachute has

opened failed to fire.

The equipment, necessary during ejection and high altitude free-

fall only, presented no problem to the jumper and he landed safely with

it still attached. It contains oxygen for use during ejection at high

altitudes. A failure analysis will be performed before the jumps are

continued next week.

The jump was from 6,000 feet by a member of the Air Forces' 6511th

Test Group, which conducts the tests for the NASA Manned Spacecraft

_enter.

11 i[ ir
, I V v

' TIONAL AERONAUT,CS AND SPACEADMINISTRATION

MANNED SPACECRAFT ..Houston
,_
m /IICENTER Texas
HUnter 3-4231 MSC 65-14
January 19, 1965

HOUSTON, TEXAS -- A team of flight controllers in the Mission

Control Center-Houston electronically looked over the shoulders of

the primary flight control team at Cape Kennedy during Tuesday's

highly-successful Gemini-Titan 2 mission. Nearing completion of

equipment installation and checkout, the Houston Control Center moni-

tored flight data relayed from Cape Kennedy to displays and consoles

in the Center.

Flight controllers manning the Houston Control Center received

familiarization in the operation of consoles, data displays and other

flight control equipment. A major objectives was the Center's initial

checkout of Real-Time Computer Complex programs for converting telem-

etered flight information into visual displays using live spacecraft

and booster pre-launch and flight data. These displays, large rear-

projection screens in the front portion of the control room and indi-

vidual console television monitors, received extensive checkout during

the two days of simulated flights and through the actual launch.

Mid-way through the two-man Gemini earth orbital space flight

program, all flight control for the nation's manned space flights will

shift to the Houston Control Center. Launch operations will remain

at Cape Kennedy.

--more--
Add 1
MSC 65-14

Flight Director for the GT-2 launch monitoring by Houston

Control Center was John D. Hodge, chief of the Flight Control Divi-

sion. Acting as test conductor was Lynwood C. Dunseith of Mission

Planning and Analysis Division.

"It is most gratifying to see the MCC-Houston participating

in a live test, even though we were only passively monitoring,"

Hodge said. "The flight control team gained invaluable experience.

We are well satisfied with the progress of the Control Center to date,

and look forward with confidence to the final checkout phase."

Despite "looking over the shoulders" of the flight control

Team at Cape Kennedy, the Houston Control Center had an atmosphere

of operational seriousness as all flight controllers closely fol-

lowed the m_sion through countdown, launch and recovery of the

spacecraft.
i£i_ ir
NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION

"!NNED
HUnter 3-4231 MSC 65-15
January 28, 1965

HOUSTON, TEXAS--Three tests involving Gemini spacecraft escape

and recovery systems were completed successfully today at E1 Centro,

Calif., although an Air Force jumper testing astronauts' personal para-

chutes landed with two chutes open instead of one.

If an astronaut ejects from the spacecraft, the action of his

ejection seat separating from his body will activate his parachute.

In today's test, however, the jumper, CWO Mitch Kanowski of the Air

Force's 6511th Test Group had to manually pull a lanyard after jump-

ing from a plane at 6,000 feet. By the time he activated the chute,

he had fallen to 4,000 feet, and his reserve parachute, which was

preset to that altitude, opened automatically, also.

Kanowski said he was stable during the 2,000-foot free fall and

that the personal parachute system "worked beautifully." Two more

jumps are scheduled for tomorrow.

In a test of the Gemini ejection seat, a dummy was ejected from

an Air Force F-106 aircraft at an altitude of 14,500 feet and at a

speed of Mach .71. NASA Manned Spacecraft Center engineers conducting

the test said all objectives were met successfully.

The third test demonstrated the complete Gemini spacecraft recovery

system. A spacecraft was dropped from an altitude of 33,000 feet. At

-Add 1
MSC 65-15

27,000 feet, a drogue chute deployed to stabilize the spacecraft, and

at 10,600 feet the drogue was cut loose and the main parachute opened.

This was the sixth successful test of the complete recovery system.

The seventh test is scheduled tomorrow.

The tests are conducted at the Joint Parachute Test Facility at

E1 Centro for the Manned Spacecraft Center, Houston, Texas.

NOTE TO EDITORS - January 28, 1965

Manned Spacecraft Center of Houston, Texas, will have

available for interviews next week GT-3 prime and backup crews

to be scheduled as follows:

Monday, beginning at 8:00 a.m., the backup crew, Commander

Walter Schirra and Major Thomas Stafford, in Tank Egress Training

at Ellington Air Force Base, Hangar 135.

Tuesday, beginning at 8:00 a.m., Schirra and Stafford will

engage in parachute training in space suits in Galveston Bay.

Both events can be covered by the press.

In the afternoon of Monday and Tuesday, Schirra and Stafford

will be available at Manned Spacecraft Center for interviews.

Thursday at 8:00 a.m., the primary crew, Major Virgil

Grissom and Lt. Commander John Young, will engage in parachute

training in Galveston Bay and Friday, at 8:00 a.m., in Tank

Egress Training in Hangar 135, at Ellington Air Force Base. On

Thursday and Friday, the primary crew will be available in the

afternoon for interviews at Manned Spacecraft Center.

Please make known to Manned Spacecraft Center Press Office,

HUnter 3-4231, any specific interview requests, situations or

times desired for interviews. These will be the last open press

dates with the GT-3 crews prior to the mission.

h, TIONAL AERONAUTICS
[4 mi AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION

MANNED
SPACECRAFT ,_..__Uouston
_CENTER '_ -__l. Texas
HUnter 3-4231 MSC 65-16
February 2, 1965

HOUSTON, TEXAS -- Three more jump tests of the Gemini astro-

nauts' personal parachutes were completed successfully at E1 Centro,

california.

Today's jumps were from an altitude of 7,500 feet. The jumpers

reported all systems functioned as planned.

Up to three additional jumps are scheduled Friday. The jumpers

re from the Air Forces' 6511th Test Group at the Joint Parachute

Test Facility in E1 Centro.

Also scheduled for Friday at E1 Centro is the eighth test of

the complete Gemini spacecraft recovery system. In this test, a

spacecraft is dropped from an altitude of 33,000 feet. All of the

previous tests have been successful.

 V v

N_,TIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION

MANNED
SPACECRAFT H°us''k°n
HUnter 3-4231 MSC 65-17
February 11, 1965

HOUSTON, TEXAS -- Manned Spacecraft Center engineers have asked

industry for proposals on s head-and-shoulders dummy capable of hear-

ing and speaking electronically.

The dummy would be u_ed to obtain objective evaluations of the

effect of noise level_ upon communications and communications equip-

ment, particularly during the launch phnse of a spnce flight.

The "ears" of the dummy would be simulated by microphones

lanted in the side of the head. These devices would be capable of

"hearing" the same range of sounds audible to the average human.

"Speaking" would be simulated by a tape recording played upon com-

mand.

The dummy will wear a pressure suit helmet which will be scaled

at the base to prevent any acoustical leaks. Sound levels will be

recorded in an acoustical chamber. They will not be heard by human

ears but the results placed on tape for evaluation by engineers.

_ VA '" I
NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION

MANNED
SPACECRAFT ,_Houson
CENTER Taxa s
HUnter 3-4231 MSC 65-18
February 5, 1965

LAS CRUCES, No M. -- The first major piece of actual flight-

type hardware for America's manned lunar exploration program, Apollo,

today underwent its shakedown test at the NASA Manned Spacecraft

Center's White Sands Operations.

The flight-weight Service Module segment of the Apollo space-

craft was fired for 10 seconds in the Propulsion Systems Develop-

ment Facility (PSDF) at White Sands.

The static firing of the Service Propulsion Subsystem (SPS)

engine began a test series designed to help determine the flight

readiness of a similar Service Module programmed for the first tests

of flight-type Apollo hardware from Cape Kennedy next year.

The tests at PSDF will ultimately verify flight profiles for

each subsequent Service Module flight, including the trip to the

moon. The SPS engine's 22,000 pounds of thrust will slow Apollo

down for entry into lunar orbit, and speed the spacecraft up for

escape from lunar orbit, and the return trip to earth.

Future tests will include the reaction control system or small

guidance engines used to maneuver the spacecraft, and the electrical

power system with its energy-converting fuel cells.

--more--
Add 1
MSC 65-18

The airframe is a lightwsight structure, including flight-

weight propellant tanks, as contrasted to the thick-walled tanks

and plumbing of the boilerplate system on which engine development

tests have been conducted at the PSDF since September.

It also will include the reaction control and electrical

power subsystems not found on _e boilerplate. The engine is an

updated version of one used in developmental tests.

Static firings in the developmental series will continue with

the boilerplate system on Service Module Test Stand One. The air-

frame tests will be conducted on SM Test Stand Two. Three other

static test stands at the facility, two of them capable of simulating

altitudes to 250,000 feet, will handle Lunar Excursion Modules

engine firings beginning this spring.

Continuation of the Service Module airframe testing will inte-

grate the service propulsion and reaction control systems prior to

the flights from Cape Kennedy. Mission profiles verified at PSDF

for later flight tests of the spacecraft will include intentional

deviations from normal operation to establish tolerance to and cor-

rective actions for such incidents.

Prime contractor for the Apollo command and service modules is

North American Aviation, Inc., Space and Information Systems Division,

at Downey, California. The Aerojet-General Corp., of Sacramento,

calif., builds the SPS engine.

--more--
Add 2
MSC 65-18

The service module weighs about 10,000 pounds without fuel,

and just under 50,000 pounds when fueled. Its multiple-restart

propulsion engine burns a half-and-half blend of hydrazine and

unsymmetrical di-methyl hydrazine fuels with nitrogen tetroxide as

an oxidizer. The propellant combination is hypergolic -- ignites

spontaneously when mixed.

Dimensions of the service module, to be located directly

behind the three-man command module in the Apollo spacecraft stack,

are 13 feet diameter and 13 feet height, not including the engine

nozzle extension.
 II ·.

-Jl_· _t_ ' '.

f
_Jrt

z_
c_
N'TIONAL AERONAUTICS
[4 AND SPACE
mi ADMINISTRATION
---
MA,,Eu
_CE S,ACEC
TER_ ArT -_1_1, Texas
HUnter 3-4231 MSC 65-19
February 5, 1965

HOUSTON, TEXAS -- Gemini spacecraft No. 3, in which two men

will orbit the earth, is at Cape Kennedy's launch complex 19 today

being prepared for a series of tests before being mated to the

launch vehicle.

The spacecraft was delivered to the pad from the pyrotechnic

facility on Merritt Island at 9 p.m. cst yesterday. It has been

hoisted to the super-clean "white room" and placed on a tripod

_djacent to the top of the launch vehicle.

It will remain on the tripod during a series of pre-mate veri-

fication and interface tests. The spacecraft is expected to be ·

mated to the launch vehicle the latter part of this month.

Astronauts Virgil I. Grissom and John W. Young will pilot the

spacecraft on its 3-orbit journey this spring.

 I ? ? /

b,I;A
N'_TIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE
mi ADMINISTRATION

FT .;_._,__Hous'l:on
_cENMANNED
SPACECR_E
R 'illml__. _.,,i!Ellm_!_.
Texas
HUnter 3-4231 MSC 65-20
February 5, 1965

HOUSTON, TEXAS -- The eighth successful test of the Gemini space-

craft recovery system was conducted today at E1 Centro, Calif. The

test spacecraft was dropped from an altitude of 33,000 feet.

In addition, one more jump test of the Gemini astronauts' personal

parachute was completed successfully. Three jumps from 7,500 feet were

scheduled, but high winds cancelled the other two jumps. They have

b_en rescheduled for Monday.

The jumpers are from the Air Forces' 6511th Test Group at the

Joint Parachute Test Facility at E1 Centro, where the tests are being

conducted for the NASA Manned Spacecraft Center.

 I .-Iki
NATIONAL AERONAUTICS
kq -I mq-f'_,
AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION
-
·*'ANNEDSPACECRAFT
,__.ous*on
_CENTER___t. IaAas
HUnter 3-4231 -_C 65-21
February 8, 1965

FOREIGN SCIENTSIST INVITED TO CONFERENCE ON APOLLO EXPERIMENTS

_SHINGTON, D. C. -- The National Aeronautics and Space Adminis-

tration has announced more than 130 foreign scientists to a conference

to aid them in proposing biomedical experiments on U.S. manned space

flights.

The conference, to be held at the Manned Spacecraft Center, in

Houston April 22, 23, will be devoted to a briefing of the Gemini and

Apollo missions as they relate to the identification and design of

-ppropriate biomedical experiments.

Both of NASA's manned flight programs, Projects Gemini and Apollo,

have been opened to proposed experiments by the world scientific com-

munity. Proposals will be considered on the basis of their scientific

merit in competition with other proposals. The conference will be under

the direction of Dr. W. Randolph Lovelace, II, Director of Space

Medicine for NASA.

Letters of invitation have been sent by NASA's Office of Inter-

national Affairs to 113 scientists and 23 national space organizations

overseas.
NATIONAL AFIRONAUTIC$ AND SPACl = ADMINISTRATION

MANNED
SPACECRAF ,

HUnter 3-4231 MSC 65-22

February 10, 1965

HOUSTON, TEXAS -- If there is such a thing as an "average

astronuat," he's approaching 35 years of age, weighs 161 pounds, is

4

just under 5 feet 10 inches tall, has brown hair and blue eyes and

is crew-cut.

But from there on, a composite picture of NASA's 28 astronauts

at the Manned Spacecraft Center show him to be anything but average.

He's a test pilot with more than 3,000 flying hours, 2,500 in

jets an_ some in rocket ships and spacecraft. He's flown about 20

combat missions in Korea and during World War II.

He holds a bachelor of science degree and a master's degree,

and has done some work on his doctorate. He graduated in the top

five from a major American university, and attended a military test

pilot school. He is still in the military service.

Actually, five of the 28 are civilians, though all have,served

in the military service as pilots. More than a fourth of them have

flown in combat, and some have shot down enemy planes. None were

aces.

--more--
Add 1
MSC 65-22

As a group, the astronauts hold 39 academic degrees and have

flown more than 83,000 hours.

The youngest is 29; the oldest, 41. The tallest is 6 feet;

the shortest, 5 feet, 6½ inches.

Four were born in Ohio; 4 in Texas; 3, New Jersey; 2, Illinois;

2_ Indiana; 2, Oklahoma; and one each in Alabama, California,

Colorado, Iowa, Michigan, New Hampshire, Pennsylvania, Washington,

and Wisconsin. One was born in Italy and another in Hong Kong.

Twelve are Air Force officers, ten are Naval officers, one's

a Marine officer, and five are civilians.

Seventeen have blue eyes;

4
7, brown eyes; 2, green; 2 hazel.

Eighteen have brown hair; 7, blond; 1, auburn, and one is a redhead.

Ail are married and have a total of 74 children, 41 boys and

33 girls.
NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION

MANNEDSPACECRAFT--S..
_'_2_
CEN ER _'"''"'_ H°us''k°n.:,?_,_
_'_J!_'_. -r e x a 5
HUnter 3-4231 MSC 65-23
February 12, 1965

HOUSTON, TEXAS -- Implementation of an adjustment in the per-

sonnel strength between the Manned Spacecraft Center and the John

F. Kennedy Space Center, Cape Kennedy, Florida has begun with the

transfer of 41 engineers and mathematicians here.

The personnel change is in line with an Office of Manned Space

Flight directive which transferred the MSC Florida Operations Office

to the Kennedy Space Center. Twenty five members of the Electronic

Ground Support Equipment Division at Kennedy are relocating with

the Information Systems Division, Engineering and Development Di-

rectorate here.

Another sixteen engineers from various divisions of Florida

Operations will work in the Apollo Project Office in spacecraft

checkout duties.

A third group of 52 personnel are being recruited from Florida

Operations by the Apollo Office for spacecraft factory checkout at

the North American Aviation Co. plant in Downey, California, and the

Grumman Aircraft Engineering Co. plant in Bethpage, N. Y.

Family moves are being coordinated by the MSC Personnel Office

and the transfer is expected to be completed by early April.

###
NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION

lF H°ust°n
lDgE
MANNED
SPACECTER. Texas
HUnter 3-4231 I48¢ 65-24
February 12, 1965

HOUSTON, TEXAS -- Craters in surface depressions created by

nuclear explosions and the volcanic geology of a portion of Southern

Nevada will be studied by United States astronauts as they continue

their series of geological field trips.

The studies will be conducted at the Atomic Energy Commission's

Nevada Test Site and will begin Tuesday, February 16. The test site

contains a nun_er of craters created by nuclear and chemical high

explosive blasts. The nuclear explosion sites now have very low

levels of radioactivity. The craters resemble meteoritic impact

craters that may be found on the moon.

On the test site also are calderas, or crater areas from ancient

volcanic activity, which also may be found on the moon surface. The

astronauts will study both explosive and volcanic craters during

their visits to Nevada.

Three trips to the test site are scheduled about a week apart.

The first will start Tuesday in Yucca Flats, where nuclear explosive

tests have been conducted since the early 1950's. The astronauts

will inspect a number of explosion produced craters, including the

large Sedan Crater created in a 1962 experiment in the Plowshare

Program to develop peaceful uses for nuclear explosives.

--more--
Add 1
MSC 65-24

Small dynamite blasts will be set off in a forward area of

the test site Tuesday afternoon. Using seismic equipment, the

astronauts will practice geophysical observations and will attempt

to locate a buried ridge in the area.

Air Force helicopters will be used on the second day of each

trip to cover a wide area of rough Nevada desert country near the

western edge of the test site. The field trip members will make

stops at several calderas to study the geology of these ancient

volcanic formations. If bad weather grounds the helicopters, a

similar trip will be made by ground transportation to more acceptable

volcanic areas on the site.

On the final day, the astronauts are scheduled to visit the

nuclear rocket development station at the southwest corner of the

test site, where testing is performed on nuclear reactors for future

space nuclear engine development.

NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE
.... ADMINISTRATION

'ANNEDSPACECRAF .'":Houston
m"__mmmC ENTE , Texas
HUnter 3-4231 MSC 65-25
February 12, 1965

HOUSTON, TEXAS -- Two men from the Manned Spacecraft Center were

among the ten winners of the 1965 Arthur S. Fleming Award that is

given to outstanding young men in the federal Government each year.

The awards are presented by the U.S. Junior Chamber of Commerce.

Five awards were presented to men in scientific and technical fields

and five in administrative or executive fields.

Dr. Joseph F. Shea, 38, Manager, Apollo Spacecraft Program Office,

and Wesley L. Hjornevik, 38, assistant director for Administration,

were presented the awards last Thursday at an awards luncheon at the

Statler Hilton Hotel in Washington, D. C., along wllh eight other

Government employees.

Three others receiving the award were also connected with the

space program. They were Leonard Jaffe, NASA director of Communications

and Navigation Programs; Dr. Robert Jastrow of the Goddard Institute

for Space Studies; and Dr. George W. Sutton, scientific advisor to

the USAF Directorate of Development Plans.

Principal speaker for the occasion was Secretary of Labor

W. Willard Wirtz.

Dr. Shea's participation as head of the study group to decide

which of three possible approaches should be used for the U.S. manned

--more--
Add 1
MSC 65-25

lunar landing and to examine management conelderations for each ap-

proach, earned him the award.

Hjornevik was presented the award for his part in construction

of the Manned Spacecraft laboratory facilities for space environment

simulation.

Three past winners of the Arthur S. Fleming Award are here at

the Manned Spacecraft Center.

In 1960 Maxime A. Faget, assistant director for Engineering and

Development received the Arthur S. Fleming Award.

Recipients in 1963 included George M. Low, deputy director, MSC,

who was at that time deputy director, Office of Manned Space Flight

(Programs), NASA Hq.; and Christopher C. Kraft, Jr., assistant director

for Flight Operations.

 I' ;;J'i'
NATIONAL AERONAUTICS
t,d '"J /I 4 ---
AND
' SPACE ADMINISTRATION

AFT ,__Houston
_C'"ANNED
sPnCE_TER__l, Texas
HUnter 3-4231 MSC 65-26
February 12, 1965

CHINA LAKE, CALIFo -- One of the final series of qualification

tests of the two man Gemini spacecraft's seat ejection escape system

was successfully accomplished by the National Aeronautics and Space

Administration today at the U.S. Naval Ordnance Test Station.

Conducted under the management of NASA's Manned Spacecraft Center,

these final tests will qualify the system for Gemini space flights,

the first of which will be piloted by Astronauts Gus Grissom and

John Young. The test simulated a pad abort condition. The boiler-

plate engineering test vehicle was mounted atop a 150 foot tower

equal in height to the Titan 2 launch vehicle.

The side by side ejection seats were thrust out and away from

the test vehicle to an altitude of about 350 feet and the mannequins

landed by parachutes approximately 850 feet downrange.

Witnessing today's test were Hilary Ray, Systems Engineer for

MSC and Astronaut Alan Bean. Ray who was in charge of today's test

said, "From visual observation everything looked to be 10_ perfect.

We expect evaluation of films and other data will confirm this visual

observation."

--more--
Add 1
_SC 65-26

Production models of the escape system are now at Cape Kennedy

and will be installed in the Gemini spacecraft which will orbit

Astronauts Grissom and Young. Prior to today's test, the twin

ejection seat system was subjected to more than 100 qualifying

tests which included high speed track runs, high altitude ejections

and other pad abort tower tests.

The Gemini escape system is designed and built for NASA by

Weber Aircraft Co., of Burbank calif., under subcontract to McDonnell

Aircraft Corp., the prime contractor for the Gemini _pacecraft.

NATIONAL AERONAUTICS
Ld;;! mi
AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION
-
ANNEDSPACECRAFT IHouston
CENTER , Texas

HUnter 3-4231 MSC 65-27

February 16, 1965

HOUSTON, TEXAS -- Nearly half of NASA's 28 astronauts at the

Manned Spacecraft Center here are training for the next three flights

of two-man Gemini spacecraft, all scheduled to fly this year.

Astronauts Virgil I. Grissom and John W. Young are command pilot

and pilot, respectively, for Gemini-Titan 3 (GT-3), due for a three-

orbit trip from Cape Kennedy in a few weeks.

Astronauts Walter M. Schirra and Thomas P. Stafford are doing

identical training as back-up pilots for GT-3.

The second manned G_mini flight, GT-4, will have Astronauts

James A. McDivitt and Edward H. White II at the controls for up to

four days in orbit. Astronauts Frank Borman and James A. Lovell

are their back-up crew.

Astronauts Leroy Gordon Cooper and Charles Conrad are the GT-5

crew, scheduled to orbit a Gemini spacecraft for up to seven days.

Back-up crew for this mission is Neil A. Armstrong and Elliot M. See.

Other assignments recently announced for the remainder of the

NASA astronaut team include:

Donald K. Slayton, Assistant Director at MSC for Flight Crew

Operations.

--more--
Add 1
65-27

Alan B. Shepard, Chief of the Astronaut office.

M. Scott Carpenter, U.S. Navy Project Liaison for special

projects.

Seven astronauts are assigned to Project Apollo in these areas:

Richard F. Gordon, branch chief, responsible for overall

astronaut activities in the Apollo area, and for liaison in connection

with development of the Apollo command and service modules.

Donn F. Eisele, command and service modules and lunar excursion

module (LEM).

William A. Anders, environmental control systems, radiation and

thermal systems.

Eugene A. Cernan, boosters, spacecraft propulsion and the Agena

stage.

Roger B. Chaffee, communications, flight controls and docking.

R. Walter Cunningham, electrical, sequential and non-flight

experiments.

Russell L. Schweickart, in-flight experiments and future programs.

Six astronauts are assigned to Operations and Training:

Edwin E. Aldrin is branch chief, responsible also for mission

planning.

--more--
Add 2
65-27

Charles A. Bassett, training and simulators, operations

handbooks.

Alan L. Bean, recovery systems.

Michael Collins, pressure suits and extra-vehicular activities.

David R. Scott, guidance and navigation, mission planning.

Clifton C. Williams, range operations, deep space instrumentation

and crew safety.

 I-!k A /kl
NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND
-I q SPACE ADMINISTRATION
--
MANNED
SPACECRAFT Hous41:on
_CFNTF , Iexa_
HUnter 3-4231 MSC 65-28
February 16, 1965

HOUSTON, TEXAS -- Astronaut Gus Grissom glanced nervously at the

clock, then at his fellow space pilot, John Young.

"Three minutes to go, John."

"Yeah, I know ."

"Ready, John?"

"Ready, Gus."

Then both men began what was, for them, one of the more demanding

xperiences of their lives as astronauts.

It was their "week in the barrel" with the American Press -- a

solid week of granting interviews with scores of reporters and

cameramen at the NASA Manned Spacecraft Center.

It's all part of the job, lumped in with hour upon hour of

classroom work, week after week of simulations in space chambers,

centrifuges, and trainers, day after day of engineering meetings,

night after night in high performance jet fighters.

Astronauts, who are also highly qualified engineers, spend

most of their time away from the space center here, either training

for space flight or evaluating complex spacecraft and systems at

ocations all over the country.

--more--
Add 1
65-28

Besides this, the 28 NASA astroanuts granted more than 500 press

interviews and made more than 200 personal appearances at serious

scientific, engineering and educational gatherings throughout the

United States last year -- usually sandwiched into a tremendously

tight training schedule.

Grissom and Young are the prime crew for the first manned Gemini

flight, scheduled to take them on a three-orbit, five-hour journey

from Cape Kennedy within a few weeks. Astronauts Walter M. Schirra

and Tom Stafford are the back-up crew, pursuing the identical

schedules as Grissom and Young until launch time.

Grissom and Schirra had both been in space during Project

Mercury, and both had been "in the barrel" with reporters before.

But for Young and Stafford, tension mounted as reporters

began to fill the halls at the MSC Public Affairs Office this

month.

"I'm ready for the flight," Young mused, "but somehow I just

can't get used to this press business."

Stafford had to bow out the second day with laryngitis.

And no wonder -- the week had begun with egress training in a

20-foot deep water tank surrounded by newsmen. The astronauts were

--more--
Add 2
65-28

submerged inside a dummy spacecraft to practice escaping from it

underwater in the event of an emergency after returning from space

flight.

"How's the water?" reporters would ask as the men bobbed to

the surface after a dunking.

"Cold," the men replied.

Again they were submerged.

And again they were interviewed.

Parachute training took place in the chilly waters of Galveston

Bay, with two yachtloads of newsmen awaiting as the astronauts

landed in the choppy recovery area.

"How's the water, Wally?" newsmen hollered.

"Cold."

Afternoons were spent scurrying from hastily vacated offices

to prepared soundrooms, where the astronauts talked individually

with radio, TV, magazine, newspaper and wire service reporters.

"Gus, how does it feel to be the first American to make a

second space flight?"

"John, what do you think of Gus?"

"Gus, what do you think of John?"

--more--
Add 3
65-28

"Wally, do you think you have a chance to go to the moon?"

And so it went, with photographers hollering, "Just one more,"

as photographers have hollered since Matthew Brady hollered at

Abe Lincoln.

Some reporters were tough, hammering for a reaction.

A few forgot their questions and settled for conversation.

Most were sympathetic to the uncomfortable spacemen.

There's an unspoken bond of mutual respect between NASA's

astronauts and newsmen who regularly cover the space beat. They

call each other by first names, and joke together freely.

But somehow the formal press interview ranks high among the

more awesome aspects of space flight.

"We accepted hazards when we signed on," Young declared,

"and we certainly understand the importance of keeping the public

informed

"But this is rough . really rough."

IATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION

MANNED
SPACECRAFT Houston
CENTFR , Texas
HUnter 3-4231 MSC 65-29
February 16, 1965

HOUSTON, TEXAS -- Dr. Harry L. Reynolds, former head of the

Nuclear Propulsion and Experimental Physics divisions at Lawrence

Radiation Laboratory, Livermore, California, has been named Assistant

Manager of the Apollo Spacecraft Program Office at the NASA Manned

Spacecraft Center.

Reynolds, 39, will work closely with Dr. Joseph F. Shea, Manager,

and Robert O. Piland, Deputy Manager of ASPO in the overall management

of the spacecraft program.

He had been director of the Pluto nuclear ramjet program at the

Lawrence Laboratory cf the University of California where he was

employed for nine years. The Pluto program was cancelled last July

after successful ground operation of flight-type reactors at Jackass

Flats, Nev. The joint Air Force-Atomic Energy Commission program was

halted for lack of a clear military need for the nuclear ramjet.

While at Livermore, Dr. Reynolds was also involved in advanced

nuclear prcpulsicn and electrical power systems for spacecraft.

A native cf Port Chester, N. Y., Reynolds was graduated from

Central High School at Purdy Station, N. Y., in lSL2. He served

--more--
Add 1
MSC 65-29

two years in the U.S. Navy during World War II, including duty aboard

a destroyer escort. He was an electronics technician.

He received his Bachelor of Science degree in physics from

Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, N. Y., in 1947, and won his

Ph.D in physics from the University of Rochester, N. Y., in 1951.

His thesis dealt with cosmic radiation.

He did studies in nuclear reactions at Oak Ridge National

Laboratories in Tennessee before joining Lawrence Radiation Laboratory

in 1955. His first assignment at Lawrence Labs was on the Rover

nuclear rocket program. He moved to the Pluto program in 1957.

Dr. Reynolds has written more than 30 technical and scientific

papers, including about 20 published in the Physical Review, the

journal of the American Physical Society.

He presented a paper in 1958 at the Second Geneva Conference

on peaceful uses of atomic energy in Switzerland on "Critical

Experiments on Propulsion Systems," and another on the Pluto program

before the Australian Atomic Energy Commission conference in Sydney

in 1963.

Reynolds and his wife, the former Katherine Haile of Savannah,

Ga., live at 315 Biscayne, E1 Lago, with their two daughters, Patricia,

10, and Margaret, 7.

--more--
Add 2
MSC 65-29

An outdoorsman, Reynolds is a member of the Sierra Club of

California, and is devoted to skiing and mountain climbing, hobbies

he admits are challenging to pursue in snowless, mountainless Southeast

Texas.

He is also a Fellow of the American Physical Society, a member

of the American Nuclear Society, and a member of Sigma Xi, an honorary

scientific society.

Il
lll
_z
I
NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION

MANNED
SPACE[AFTc
TE
HUnter 3-4231 MSC 65-30
February 16, 1965

HOUSTON, TEXAS -- A glimpse into the demands placed on scientists

and engineers by today's complex space program will be offered

February 20 to Bay area high school students, their parents and

faculty at the Distinguished Lecture Series sponsored by the Gulf

Coast Science Foundation.

Featured speaker will be Dr. Joseph F. Shea, Manager of the

Apollo Spacecraft Program Office. His talk, "The Role of Science

in Today's World," will be presented at the NASA Manned Spacecraft

Center at 8 p.m.

Dr. Shea will emphasize the preparation and training required

to achieve proficiency in scientific fields, and will offer specific

examples of education needed to understand the systems of a space-

craft.

Shea, who last week was named as one of the top ten outstanding

young men in government by the United States Junior Chamber of

Commerce, has been in charge of the Apollo program since October,

1963. He has been with the National Aeronautics and Space Admin-

istration since early 1962.

--more--
Add 1
65-30

Prior to his present position, Dr. Shea was Deputy Director

for Systems in the Office of Manned Space Flight at NASA Head-

quarters.

His career also includes service with the A.C. Spark Plug

Division of General Motors and with Space Technology Laboratories.

Dr. Shea attended the University of Michigan where he re-

ceived a Bachelor of Science degree in Mathematics. He also

was awarded a Master of Science degree in Engineering Mathematics

and a Doctor of Philosophy degree in Engineering Mathematics from

the same university.

The Saturday evening program is the second of four lectures

sponsored by the science foundation. A third lecture will be

held March 13 at MSC with a speaker yet to be named. The final

program is scheduled for Clear Creek High School.

Purpose of the series is to stimulate interest in the fields

of science among the students, teachers and adults of this area.

 U_
I
O_

e.o

!
N_TIONA,AERONAUTICS
al ;;;ir'%,,1_-
AND SPACEADMINISTRATION
MANNED
SPACECRAFT Houston
_CFNIF t. Texas
HUnter 3-4231 1_¢ 65-31
February 18, 1965

HOUSTON, TEXAS -- Gemini spacecraft No. 3, scheduled for a

manned 3-orbit flight this spring, was joined to its launch vehicle

at Cape Kennedy late yesterday.

A series of tests of the combined vehicles, including simu-

lated launches and flights, will be conducted to insure flight

readiness.

Astronauts Virgil I. Grissom and John W. Young, Jr., are the

prime crew for the mission. The backup crew consists of Walter

M. Schirra and Thomas W. Stafford.

:NATIONAL
Iq'A' AERONAUTICS AND SPACE
mi __'%"1 ADMINISTRATION

h,.NNEDSPACECRAFT Houston
CENTE 1. Texas
HUnter 3-4231 MSC 65-32
February 23, 1965

HOUSTON, TEXAS -- The final rehearsal for the land test of

the parasail system is scheduled as a water drop in Galveston Bay

on February 24, weather permitting.

The drop _s a final checkout of test procedures before the

land test of the parasait-landing rocket combination begins at Fort

Hood. Test objectives include validation of the turn lines and

accurate control of the boilerplate to effect a landing within one-

sixteenth of a mile from the target. The control point is aboard

the motor vessel Retriever. Such accuracies will be necessary when

land tests begin, due to smaller land drop target areas available.

Static attitude change tests of the rigging lines at Ellington

AFB last week validated the riser and turn line stowage. In addition,

a static landing gear deployment test series was conducted to insure

reliability. The final water drop will be made from a C-119 aircraft

at 11,200 ft. Landing rockets will not be tested.

I;Hll
NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION

M-1NEDSPACEC Houston
l,
HUnter 3-4231 MSC 65-33

March 3, 1965

HOUSTON, TEXAS -- The National Aeronautics and Space Admlnistra-

cion has signed a five-year contract with the AC Spark Plug Division

of General Motors Corporation for the guidance and navigation systems

slated to guide American astronauts safely to uhe surface of the

moon and back before 1970.

The $235 million contract is the second major incentive agree-

ment entered into by NASA's Manned Spacecraft Center in Houston this

year, A Gemini spacecraft contract of $712 million wzth McDonnell

Aircraft Corporation, St. Louis, Missouri, was signed recently.

AC Spark Plug Division in Milwaukee, Wiscons]_ is responsible

fo_ the manufacture, testing and delivery of primary navigation and

guidance systems for Apollo's three-man command module and the two-

man lunar excursion module. The systems are being designed by the

Massachusetts Institute of Technology_

Most of the money to be spent by AC will go co vendors and

subcontracts for system components, such as the compucer_ manufac-

tured by Raytheon Company, Sudbury, Mass., and the optical subsystem,

--more--
Add 1
MSC 65-33

built by Kollsman Instrument Corporation, Long Island, New York.

AC provides the inertial platform for the system, called the IMU,

or inertial measurement units

AC had formerly been on a cost plus fixed fee contract with

MSC, and had spent $43 million since 1962. The new contrac_ wl±i

be completed in December, 1969

The transition to incentive contracts by NASA is a major step

in improving performance/ meeting schedules and controlling costs

of manned space programs. It provides for rewards when contractors

keep costs down and meet early schedules. The contractor can only

get the full contract value if his performance is above average,

delivery schedules a_e met and costs are minimized_

The AC guidance and navigation systems in the command and

lunar excursion modules are backups to ground-based systems, and

are used to make frequent crOss-checks on the ground systems'

performance.

In the command module, for instance, the guidance system

operates throughout the launch phase to back up the Saturn launch

vehicle's guidance system. It also operates during translunar

flight for mid-course corrections, guides the spacecraft into

lunar orbits back into transearth trajectory, and throughout the

tuansearth portion of flight.

--more--
Add 2
MSC 65-33

The LEM guidance and navigation unit must provide in_rmation

for the transfer of the LEM from lunar orbit to the moon's surface,

for the descent phase of flight until lunar touchdown, back into

lunar orbit and throughout the linking-up portion of rendezvous

wi_h _he command module

In all, the onboard systems must perform as many as 15 intricate

maneuvers during the lunar -o_nd trip.

The optical system, a se_tant-like device, allows astronauts

to make navigational sightir_g_ to update the inertial platform and

correct the platform's minor _rifting tendencies°

The guidance system, operating from information fed to it from

the platform_ operates during engine burns to make corrections re-

qumred to keep the spacecraft on the proper trajectory.

Most of Apollo's navigation information will be fed to the

inertial platform directly from Apollo ground stations, but on-

board navigation will be conducted as a cross-reference by the

crew, and in the event the spacecraft loses communications with

the ground_
. : _ , : C_._:
i

N,AFIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION

HUnter 3-4231 MSC 65-34

February 26, 1965

HOUSTON, TEXAS -- Dr. Joseph F. Shea, manager of the Apollo Space-

craft Program Office at the NASA Manned Spacecraft Center here, has

named Dr. William A. Lee as Assistant Program Manager.

Lee, formerly head of the Operations Planning Division under

Shea, joins Dr. Harry L. Reynolds who was appointed last week as an

Assistant Program Manager.

Lee's former division has been merged with the Systems Engineer-

ing Division under Owen E. Maynard. Branches of the former Operations

Planning Division will remain intact.

Dr. Lee's primary area of responsibility will be the operational

aspects of the Apollo program for both the nominal lunar mission and

the flight test program.

Dr. Reynolds will be primarily concerned with development of

the Lunar Excursion Module, the portion of the Apollo spacecraft

destined to land two Americans on the moon in this decade.

Robert O. Piland, Deputy Manager of ASPO, will continue to be

involved primarily with Command and Service Module development, and

_th overall program management with Dr. Shea.

--more--
Add 1
MSC 65-34

Before joining Manned Spacecraft Center in December, 1963, Dr. Lee

was Director of Advanced Studies for the Office of Manned Space Flight _
/

at NASA Headquarters. Dr. Reynolds recently joined NASA from the

Lawrence Radiation Laboratory in California where he was Director of

the Nuclear Ramjet Division.

Dr. Lee was born May 2, 1927, in New York City. Upon graduating

from the Peekskill Military Academy, Peekskill, New York, in 1945, he

served in Europe with the U.S. Army Air Force until 1947.

He was graduated from williams college, Williamstown, Mass.,

with a B.A. degree in psychology in 1950. In 1954 he obtained an

M.A. degree in experimental psychology, and in 1956 he was awarded

a Ph.D. in experimental psychology, both from the University of

Virginia.

From 1955 to 1962, Dr. Lee was a supervisor and member of the

staff of the Belt Telephone Laboratories. He joined NASA on March 1,

1962, and became Director of Advanced Studies in October, 1962.

Dr. Lee has specialized in the research field of experimental

and physiological psychology and is a member of Sigma Xi, the American

Psychological Association, the American Association for the Advancement

of Science, and the Psychonomic Society.

He is married to the former Ruth Fuhrer of Gloversville, New

York. They have four children and live in Seabrook, Texas.

 CS_
I

J
× ..... * .5._ ", ! * ,.... , ! _..... t "--'----_0 :'_ r77_

NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION

................ TCENTi:itL:: t.,-4 > ......

....,,
HUnter 3-4231 MSC 65-35
., March 1, 1965

HOUSTON, TEXAS -- When the United States set its sights on the

moon, some of the toughest problems popped up right here on earth.

Right here in Texas, in fact.

How do you build the world's largest vacuum chamber?

How do you construct the world's most powerful centrifuge?

How can you duplicate the surface of the moon?

How do you eliminate gravity?

These are just a few of the down-to-earth questions facing ordi-

nary men who must build the extraordinary tools astronauts need before

they can set foot on the moon.

Before 1965 is over, engineers at the NASA Manned Spacecraft

Center here will have built the world's largest vacuum chamber.

And the world's most powerful centrifuge.

%
They've already duplicated a 328-foot circle of lunar landscape.
!

They've even gotten rid of some gravity.

These jobs are not being done by space men. They're being accom-

plished by imaginative designers, patient engineers and hard-working

c_nstruction gangs who also build bridges, tunnels and skyscrapers.

--more--
MSC 65-35

It's tough work.

The lunar landscape, for instance, is made mostly of blast furnace

slag from steel millsto simulate the roughness and light-absorbing

qualities of the moon. Its "crater" are fashioned after those discov-

ered in photographs taken by NASA's camera-carrying Ranger moon probes.

Unlike real lunar craters, those built by earthmen in Texas some-

times collect rain water -- a problem unlikely on the weatherless moon.

The world's largest vacuum chamber -- 120 feet tall -- presented

a different problem. It had to be built like a giant steel football.

Instead of pumping air into it, scientists have to pump air out of it

to simulate the airless vacuum of space.

During a test last year the chamber crinkled under severe pressure

applied by atmosphere outside on a vacuum inside. A reinforced chamber

will be ready for use this fall.

A similar problem was encountered by men building the largest,

most powerful centrifuge ever constructed. Not only does the three-

man gondola have to withstand an airless environment of space, but it

must perform while spinnin_ at 150 miles an hour under forces 30 times

that imposed by normal gravity.

The first 12-foot spherical gondola built for the job failed

during tests in California. The 6,000-pound gimbal ring, an 18-foot

support which allows the gondola to pivot on two axes, cracked during

similar tests in Maryland. --more--

Aud 2
MSC 65-35

But even these problems are being solved, and the new gondola is

ready for installation at the Manned Spacecraft Center. The facility,

the only centrifuge _apable of exerting 30 Ga on a three-man, airless

spacecraft simulator, will be ready _n October.

Eliminating gravity is impossible.

Pilots can fly maneuvers in high-performance aircraft and counter-

act gravity for as long as 30 seconds at a time. Even motorists can

outwit gravity for fractions of seconds by speeding over bumps in the

highway.

But engineers want to give astronauts longer periods of weight-

lessness so spacemen can practice working in space, where there is no

noticeable gravity, or on the moon, where gravity is only one-sixth

that of earth.

So far they've had to settle for weird contraptions with bulky

counterweights on one end and an astronaut on the other, or on cables

which hang from the ceiling to relieve the astronaut of his weight

and provide the illusion of weightlessness.

The impossible is mor9 challenging.

r_
I-;;k'A' ;4 mi
TIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION
=
MANNEDSPACECRAFT Hous41:on
CENTE I. Texas

HUnter 3-4231 MSC 65-36

1

GEMINI MISSION PROFILE

Following is a profile and sequence of the forthcoming first

manned Gemini space flight; All data, times and figures are based

upon a nominal miSa_Om_

Launch azimuth: 72o°

Gemini Launch Vehicle second stage separation by use of 100 lb

aft-firing thrusters of Orbit Attitude and Maneuvering System (OAMS).

Insertion into 87/130 nautical mile orbit.

At end of first orbit, at Ground Elapsed Time 1 hr 33 min.,

over Texas, 85-1b forward firing OAMS thrusters will be fired in an

in-plane retrograde maneuver to achieve an 87/93 nautical mile orbit.

Velocity change: 66 feet per second.

During second orbit_ 2 hrs 20 min_ over Indian Ocean, north and

south out-of-plane maneuvers will be made using both aft and forward

firing OAMS thrusters for total velocity changes (out-of-plane) of

14 feet per second.

Near end of third orbit, _ hrs, 21 min, 30 sec, 12 minutes before

retrofire and west of Hawaii, aft-firing OAMS thrusters will be fired

--more--
Add 1
MSC 65-36

for a 93-feet-per-second retrograde maneuver to achieve s 45/85

nautical mile reentry elliptical orbit. Objective: To gain

experience in orbital maneuvering (circularizing from an elliptical

orbit, etc.) in preparation for later rendezvous missions.

Ret_0fire will occur at 4 hrs, 33 min, 30 sec over Los Angeles.

The spacecraft will reenter and land 60 nautical miles northeast of

Grand Turk Island.

LAUNCH SEQUENCE:

Event Time from Lift-off Altitude, feet

Min:Sec

Lift-off 00:00 69.7

Roll program begins 00:09.92 467.3

Roll program ends 00:20.4 1,903

Pitch program, Rate

No. 1 begins 00:23.04 2,458.2

Maximum dynamic pressure 01:19 42,445

Pitch program, Rate No. 1

ends; Rate No. 2 begins 01:28.32 54,000

Pitch program, Rate No. 2

ends; Rate No. 3 begins 01:59.04 110,000

First stage cut-off 02:35.65 205,718

Pitch program, Rate No. 3

ends 02:42.56 227,348

--mQre--
Add 2
MSC 65-36

Event Time from Lift-off Altitude, feet

Min:Sec

Initiate radio guidance 02:47.5 242,797

Second stage cut-off 05:40.72 530,740

LAUNCH COUNTDOWN:

T minus one day Spacecraft and launch vehicle pre-

launch servicing and checks

T minus 420 minutes Begin countdown

T minus 400 minutes Spacecraft power on

T minus 380 minutes GLV and spacecraft systems check

T minus 330 minutes Spacecraft command checks with

Mission Control Center

T minus 258 minutes Awaken crew

T minus 220 minutes Spacecraft/computer memory loading

T minus 190 minutes Pad clear for GLV ordnance and range
command checks

T minus 173 minutes Begin sensor placement and suiting

of crew

T minus 160 minutes GLV tanks to launch pressure

T minus 145 minutes Ground test of launch program

T minus 100 minutes Crew enters spacecraft

T minus 75 minutes Spacecraft hatch closure. Dismantle

White Room

--more--
Add 3
MSC 65-36

T minus 35 minutes Erector lowering

T minus 30 minutes Activate all spacecraft communication

links

T minus 20 minutes Spacecraft to internal power

T minus 6 minutes GLV-spacecraft final status check

T minus 3 minutes Update GLV launch azimuth and space-

craft computer

T minus 0 Engine start signal

T plus 1.8 seconds Thrust chamber pressure switch --

calibrated for 77 percent of rated
engine thrust -- is activated, starting
a two-second timer

T plus 3.8 seconds Spacecraft umbilicals release -- GLV

tiedown bolts fire

T plus 4 seconds Lift-off

Lift-off plus 153 seconds Staging

Lift-off plus 198 seconds Fairing jettison

Lift-off plus 338 seconds SECO - Second stage engine cutoff

Lift-off plus 358 seconds Separation maneuver. Confirm orbit.

GEMINI 3 SEQUENCE OF EVENTS:

F-3 day Start precount

F-2 day and F-1 day GLV propellant loading and GLV, space-
craft, and pad pyrotechnic readiness

--more--
Add 4
MSC 65-36

T-480 minutes _mplete propellant loading

T-420 minutes Begin terminal countdown

T-210 minutes MCC Operations Room fully manned

T-200 minutes Begin pad clearance for destruct

initiate connection

T-I_0 minutes Proceed with crew insertion. Begin

suit purge and leak checks.

T-90 minutes Spacecraft hatch closure status check

T-75 minutes Close spacecraft hatches

T-50 minutes Start white room evacuation

T-35 minutes Begin erector lowering

T-13 minutes Final systems status checks

T-150 seconds Range clearance to proceed with launch

T-90 seconds GLV on internal power

T-15 seconds GLV destruct initiators armed

T-0 seconds Start Stage I _ngines, spacecraft

upper umbilical release

Elapsed Time

Hr Min Sec

00 00 04 Lift-off

00 02 36 Booster engine cutoff (BECO). Start second stage

engine

00 05 41 Second stage engine cutoff

--more--
Add 5
MSC 65-36

Hr Min Sec

00 06 01 Spacecraft launch vehicle separation

00 06 12 Orbital insertion

Orbit

04 32 03 Equipment section separation

04 33 _0 Retrograde rockets fired

04 34 15 Retrograde pack jettisoned

04 40 31 Beginning:: of blackout (308,000 feet)

04 40 35 .01g (306,_9g feet). Start reentry roll

04 45 20: End of blackout (13_,0_: feet)

04 47 66 Drogue parachute deployment (50,000 feet)

04 48 45 Release rendezvous and recovery section and

deploy main parachute (10,600 feet)

04 52 00 Spacecraft landing

#_
NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION

r,,A,,ED
S,ACF[RAFT
NTER Texas
HUnter 3-4231 MSC 65-37
March 4, 1965

HOUSTON, TEXAS -- Another test of the landing rocket system is

scheduled to take place at Ellington AFB, Friday.

In preparation for a parasail-landing rocket test series at

Fort Hood, Texas, Manned Spacecraft Center engineers are making a

boilerplate drop from a crane to determine the cratering effects of

the landing rockets on soil.

The first landing rocket test was made in August, 1964 on a

cement surface. Its main prupose was the evaluation of the inte-

gration of the rockets into the landing system. The second crane

drop test will be on a sod surface to determine soil erosion char-

acteristics of the rockets under vertical descent conditions. En-

gineers must know if there is any chance of the landing gear being

damaged if it should slide into craters or tracks caused by the

landing rockets.

The two rockets, located on the lower equipment bay on the

underside of the boilerplate, generate more than 10,000 pounds of

thrust in their 1.5 second firing time. They slow the spacecraft

from 25 feet per second to seven feet per second.

The landing rockets have also been tested twice with the parasail

in water drops in Galveston Bay in October and December, 1964.

ir ii if
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_--] _ \ ., /, __--i--, '_ \i A _ _--_'_ _ ,.,.,_,
_ _' _ _,_ . _ _-- AC, MINISTRATiON

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...................................... - . .... . _¢ .;,..,;.. ...... i, '...i. ',49 .% _- _ _"__,_ _ c,.__.
r-j.

HUnter 3-4231 MSC 65-38

March 5, 1965

. _-v_s-_n Engineers at Manned

Spacecraf% Center have corapleted final _hases of the pressure suit

_l_e=t-_n LesL program, and tne z_g,,u suits have been declared

"reaev _o _ __ 5ne flrsc manned Ger, ini launch.

.._u_ cesus on ._...= SUits were cor. sleued tr_ Decembe r 1964, and the

-' -_ _,-'- ' _o __ .... _ ...=__=.._= for the suit's

reliability as a w_c,,_-_ zor the CaDL.i pressurization system.

........ -~-_=___.. aec-s, a series of manned

deccmeresslcns were D=r_crme_ _,_=.._-:->

a _=_-":_ subject in the 20 foot

vacuura chamber in uxe Craw Systems laboratory at the Manned Spacecraft

Center. The decompressions were run Lo demonstrate confidence in suit

per fermance ....

_nmer worst emergency conditions.

_n- _;_._s tesu, _.,.=-s_ecu"'_ _s' placed in a parasite chamber 3 feet

' '
wlce, 5 feet ' c :_ and
high % feet deeD.
_ The chamber pressure is maintained

au 5.1%s_, -__-cx_,,_=_y the same as Gemini cabin pressure. The main

20 foot diar. ater char_ber is clean evacuated to a high vacuum such as

exists' 2_.u,_uu_
'_ _ zee_- above the earth.

--more--
 0._ -

w---_ _'..... _==_;-,_ valve is ooenea ._w,_-.. the two chambers, the

air -
rushes __._o -abe vacuu.u i£. ar.e large _
_-;.......
er in two tenths of a

s=co_, ama mae Gemini suLa pressurizes _ &.9 psi to protect the

subject from _ .......=

_-_ z ............ - '_ _ ..... role of the suit to protect the

astronauts if 'amev _..o_.c =u_= cabin pressure while orbiting in space

_arzier ix -aka v/==._, engineer= h=a nested the visor of the helmet

=_._._ col:alaioils w£,!c£, migr. u c_use i'a to loc aaa restrict the astro-

......
._._._. s vla_:b _:__i'-t'7.l,,e=e
.... nests were prec_=a by a series in the

,...=_,._._. ' cr.a.._=_

-'_....... ' --'_-- wkich .....
_=_e_ _ ''
nme suLa cooling system under reentry,

.._ uno _,.,= azme, in _z _,._=o, C_=__n-a, tile suit successfully

passed tesas ·
zn _ -_-_,-'
_e.,_-_._ -_-4 _-_^,_
=_e_-_.. seats and zn parachute jump tests.

_._ ......
:.lore =_-'- _ were
_7 - ......... ........ _ _
_^-_e_' in
' the qualification program for

uno' suiu' ...._....

=y __....
-_'-_=_._=suer.' tea-cs as iiue cycling, comfort tests,

.....
mobility res'cs, anc_ sult =_,,_..e_
_'2-" '__ testing

_-__..=
final nod was c_/=., for the Gem_x!
= ' suit only after it had met

Uno exact-ag =_=_=r== =_r each oz these tests, and the results were

analyzed by DiSC =_g_e_

_ '_.... -- and management
NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION

MANNEDSPACECRAFT["_i,:,i::;:_'-', , . _,_¢_ous_o_
g............'*--'-.:lC
EIdTERL:"'_'" ' ' "' ' ':_',._
HUnter 3-4231 MSC 65-39
March 8, 1965

HOUSTON, TEXAS -- A telescope to scan the surface of the sun for

solar flares and warn lunar bound astronauts of their approach will

be installed at the Manned Spacecraft Center according to space radi-

ation scientists here.

The solar telescope and its instrumentation has already been

produced under contract with the Razdow Laboratories, Newark, N. J.

It consists of a 4-inch lens with a special solar filter.

An invitation for bid on the solar telescope facility was issued

to industry by MSC procurement officials recently. It calls for a

65 ft. tower and an instrumentation building to be located at the

northeast edge of the MSC site.

The MSC telescope is the first of a series of seven such solar

flare detectors which will be erected at manned network tracking

stations around the world.

An 8-foot diameter parabolic dish will al_o be installed at

MSC and two other sites to measure the radio noise associated with

--more--
Add 1
MSC 65-39

a flare. The solar telescope at the same time will look at the sun's

light in the neutral hydrogen range_ By receiving this picture of the

total intensity of the event, scientists hope to be able to determine

the radiation environment in space..

The space radiation warning network will be tied into the Mission

Control Center. During a lunar voyage, the spacecraft crew can be

warned instantly of dangerous solar events.

If they are in space, they will be able to turn their spacecraft

to place its bulk between them and the solar flare. If they are on

the surface of the moon, they can reenter the lunar excursion module,

which will shield them from radiation.

The other solar telescope sites will be at Hawaii; Carnarvon,

Australia_ Canberra, Australia; Guaymas, Mexicoi Tananarive, Madagascar;

and Grand Canary Island° Radio telescope sites are located at Houston,

Carnarvon and Grand Canary.

The cost of the space radiation network will be approximately

$2 million. Physicists at the MSC site will begin using the solar

telescope as soon as installation is completed. They will train mon-

itoring crews and begin observations of the sun to gather background

on the behavior of solar flares. However, the solar radiation net-

work has been designed as a warning rather than a predicting system.

#_
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NATIONAL AERONAUTICS
,q -Imq
AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION
-
.,dNNEDSPACECRAFT Hous'ton
CENTE 1. Texas
HUnter 3-4231 MSC 65-40
March 12, 1965

HOUSTON, TEXAS -- There is a school at the NASA Manned Spacecraft

Center here from which no one ever graduates and where there is no

summer vacation.

The school house is the Mission Control Center-Houston from which

the nation's manned space flights will be controlled starting in

mid-1965. The massive three-story Control Center houses the communi-

cations, computer and flight control facilities for monitoring and

controlling earth-orbital two-man Gemini space flights, developmental

earth-orbital three-man Apollo flights and the Apollo lunar landing

mission set for late in this decade.

School begins when a prospective flight controller joins the

flight operations organization at the Manned Spacecraft Center and

continues throughout his tenure. As booster and spacecraft systems

evolve, flight controllers' knowledge must keep pace with these

systems from a functional standpoint.

--more--
Add 1
MSC 65-40

The first phase in the education of a flight controller is some

140 hours of rather straightforward classroom instruction and general

orientation in spacecraft and ground support systems and operation of

flight control equipment and consoles.

Included in the classroom work are 30 hours of spaceflight

trajectory instruction by instructors from the Mission Planning and

Analysis Division and instruction in the functions of the world-wide

spaceflight tracking network by the Network Controller staff from

Flight Support Division. In most instances, the instructors are

flight controllers who work the same positions during a mission.

Through on-the-job training, neophyte flight controllers develop

_n extensive knowledge of spaceflight operational details which allows

them to make use of spacecraft systems and flight manuals, engineering

drawings, and other highly-detailed documentation. This phase brings

the flight controller student to the second level of training -- to a

sort of sophomore status.

The third level of training -- continuing all the while with

refresher courses in spacecraft systems -- is directed toward

developing in the flight controller the capability for developing and

writing operational handbooks and procedures.

When the flight controller reaches the fourth, or "senior" level

of training, his own initiative is his best teacher, for here he must

--more--
Add 2
USC 65-40

be a "self-starter" capable of polishing and improving his knowledge of

the flight operations business to a degree that cannot be learned by

lecture or group briefing. Again, refresher courses covering space-

craft systems, supplemented by visits to spacecraft manufacturers'

plants, keep the flight controller in pace with late developments and

changes in design.

Training does not end with the fourth level self-learning and

classroom work; training, in fact, never ends for the flight controller.

But, instead of getting more instruction and on-the-job training as an

individual, he begins now to become a part of a flight controller team.

He takes part in monitoring actual spaceflight missions and in

realistic computer-generated mission simulations in which flight crews

also take part.

Astronauts assiqned to the flight crew for a specific mission

actively participate in mission simulations by means of spacecraft

simulators in another building at the Manned Spacecraft Center. The

simulators are linked to the Control Center so that the flight crew's

control actions and the status of spacecraft systems are transmitted

to Control Center console meters and displays in the same way they

would be relayed by telemetry during an actual flight.

--more--
Add 3
MSC 65-40

simulated systems malfunctions and other abnormalities can also be

injected into the training, both for crew training purposes and for

flight controller training.

The mission simulation business is a profession in itself.

Simulation specialists first prepare a computer program for a specific

mission which, when recorded on computer tapes, produces realistic

responses in flight control equipment in the Control Center and in

tracking stations located around the belt of the earth covered by

orbital space flights. In addition to the straightforward computer

programs representing nominal or ideal flight conditions and perform-

ance, the simulation specialists act as "devil's advocates" by writing

simulation scripts that provide for introducing the abnormal into the

simulation of a flight.

Special consoles allow simulation specialists to inject indications

of systems failures, loss of communications and other malfunctions

into control room flight displays and flight controller consoles -- a

purposeful harrassment intended to develop a keen sense of judgment

that could mean the difference between a successful and an unsuccess-

ful future real mission. "Never give a flight controller an even

break," is the motto voiced by the mission simulation group.

--more--
had 4
JC 65-40

Another device used for flight controller training is the Simulated

Remote Site -- an exact duplicate of the Flight controller consoles

located in the worldwide Manned Spaceflight Network stations. Two

simulated remote sites are located on the second floor of the Mission

Control Center-Houston. Network station flight controllers receive

training in a realistic setting without having to travel half-way

around the world to their station until just before the actual mission.

Each team of remote site flight controllers waits its turn to man

the simulated remote sites as the imaginary spacecraft and flight crew

approach the range of radar and voice communications coverage of its

ration. Thus, the two simulated remote sites may in the same flight

simulation play the role of network stations at Guaymas, Mexico or

Carnarvon, Australia.

Not only are simulation tapes used to generate displays for flight

controller training, but data recorded from previous flights is played

back through the Control Center's computer equipment and displays for

critiques of the missions -- sort of like watching re-runs on

television.

A visitor putting on a headset and listening to the conversations

on various communications loops in the Mission Control Center would

--more--
Add 5
MSC 65-40

hear regional inflections ranging from crisp British and Tidewater

Virginia accents to soft southern drawls and "standard American"

mid-West accents.

But regardless of the backgrounds of the flight controllers, their

judgment and technical knowledge are essential to the success of a

spaceflight mission and to the safety of the astronauts aboard. Such

judgment and knowledge is not gained by accident. It is the result of

living a career as a flight controller, and a continuous process of

learning performance and technical details of new boosters and new

spacecraft from conception to flight status.

Ll LJ JJ
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NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION

Iv,ANNED
SPACE[RAFT
NTER,.ouston
,,dI meS'I i. Texas
HUnter 3-4231 MSC 65-41
March 8, 1965

HOUSTON, TEXAS -- Dr. Walter C. Randall, Chairman of the De-

partment of Physiology, Loyola University, Chicago, will be the

guest speaker March 13 at the next Distinguished Lecture Series

sponsored by the Gulf Coast Science Foundation.

His presentation will include a discussion of diseases of the

nervous system and heart, and will be presented at the NASA Manned

Spacecraft Center at 8 p.m.

A recognized medical authority, Dr. Randall has published more

than 150 technical papers over the past 26 years relating to the

diagnosis and treatment of disorder of the heart and nervous system.

He is a Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement

of Science; chairman of a scientific section of the American Physi-

ological Society; past president of the Illinois Section of the

Society of Experimental Biology and Medicine; and now holds member-

ship in several other scientific societies.

He was awarded a Doctorate in Physiology from Purdue; a Master

of Science in Physiology from the same school, and a bachelor's degree

from Taylor University, Upland, Indiana.

--more--
Add 1
MSC 65-41

The Saturday evening program is the third of four lectures

sponsored by the science foundation. The final program will be

held in April at the Clear Creek High School Auditorium.

Purpose of the series is to stimulate interest in the fields

of science among the students, teachers and adults of this area.

llll;I
NATIONAL AERONAUTICS
' AND SPACE
q ADMINISTRATION
-
,/4NNED SPACEC_ ER Hous,on
t. Texas
HUnter 3-4231 MSC 65-42
March 11, 1965

HOUSTON, TEXAS -- Landings on the rugged and unknown surface of

the moon are being made here daily by Manned Spacecraft Center engineers.

Although two astronauts are not scheduled to make that landing

until later in the decade, the lunar surfaces at MSC are simulated by

computer. Scale models and animated drawings of the lunar excursion

module are used to study stability and impact problems which could

occur on a lunar landing.

Two parallel studies are being run by Structures and Mechanics

Division engineers to cover a variety of landing conditions. Another

study by Advanced Spacecraft Technology Division has been completed.

Dave Brown, an engineer in Landing Technology Branch is con-

ducting one study which uses a computer to draw three dimensional ani-

mated pictures of a LEM landing on the lunar surface.

The description of the surface on which the LEM landing will

take place is reduced to mathematical terms. The same process is

followed for the LEM, its descent velocity and the physical properties

of its landing gear and engine skirt. This information is given to

personnel of the Computation and Analysis Division to program into a

_omputer.
--more--
Add 1
MSC 65-42

"There are a million possibilities for lunar landing conditions,"

Brown said, "our problems stay within the landing criteria that has been

established for the first lunar landings."

Using the mathematical data, the computer draws a three dimen-

sional image on a video screen every one thousandth of a second. A

high speed 35 mm motion picture camera captures the action. The engi-

neers can then review the hypothetical landing in slow motion.

"Using an animated image allows us to see many things we could

never figure out from just looking at computer data," Brown said.

On some landings, the LEM tips over.

"On a bad landing, we can see the conditions and speeds which

ause the LEM to become unstable," Brown said, "then we must determine

if the landing gear can be modified to make the landing safe, or if

these types of landings should be avoided.

While Brown is evaluating landings by computer, his colleague,

Frank Stafford, uses a one sixth scale model of LEM landing gear to

make actual drops.

Using a large heavy-duty platform which can be adjusted to rep-

resent different slopes, Stafford drops the model from several feet

to test the ability of the crushable honeycomb shock absorbers to

stabilize the vehicle.

--more--
_dd 2
_3C 65-42

Impact data, gross stability, acceleration, and stroke of the

landing gear are recorded as the 60 lb. model lands on the masonite

table top.

The table landings do not provide the rugged terrain and crater

holes which can be duplicated by the computer. However, the actual

drop verifies the data developed in the computer program.

Before the LEM has made its first test flight, animated drawings

and scale models are being flown by MSC engineers to lay down the ground

rules for a safe landing on the surface of the moon.

#_
0_
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 i;;;l'i'
NATIONAL [4 AERONAUTICS AND SPACE
mi ADMINISTRATION
---
MANNEDSPACECRAFT uston
CENTE , Texas
HUnter 3-4231 MSC 65-43
March 15, 1965

HOUSTON, TEXAS -- If Project Mercury is any indication, the odds

are 50-50 that weather could delay the launching of America's first

two-manned Gemini spacecraft late this month_

Half of the six manned Mercury flights were postponed because of

bad weather_ Astronaut Alan B_ Shepard, Jr.'s flight was held up once

for weather in the Atlantic recovery area; Virgil I_ Grissom's flight

was halted once because of clouds over Cape Kennedy, and John H.

_en_ Jr.'s orbital flight was delayed four times because of weather.

Grissom, who made his suborbital_ 15-minute space flight on

July 21, 1961, is command pilot for the first Gemini flight of as

many as three orbits. With him will be fellow NASA astronaut, Naval

Lt. Cmdr. John W. Young.

Weather plays a large role in the National Aeronautics and Space

Administration's manned space programs, Gemini and Apollo. One of

the last things an astronaut does before a flight is attend a weather

briefing, usually at the launch pad just an hour or so before the mission.

And the job of providing up-to-the-minute weather data from all over

the world for NASA's manned space operations is accomplished by a group

--more--
Add 1
SC 65-43

of 17 men from the Spaceflight Meteorology Group, a unit of the National

Weather Satellite Center of the U.S. Weather Bureau°

Four of these men are stationed here at the NASA Manned Spacecraft

Center; two are at Cape Kennedy; six are in Miami, Fla., and five are

at the Group's headquarters in Suitland, Md., six miles from the na-

tion's capitol.

But 17 men can't forecast the world's weather without help. They

get information from other weathermen in North and South America,

Europe, Russia, China and other countries around the globe --members

of the World Meteorological Organization. They also get data from Air

_orce and Navy airborne and shipboard weathermen.

And just before and during manned space flights, additional ef-

forts are made by countries along the flight path, like Australia,

which funnel detailed information to the group -- information not

normally sent in the four daily international weather reports.

Information also comes in from weather satellites, like Tiros 9,

NASA's high-orbiting camera carrier, identifying large storms and

frontal areas in such isolated places as the Indian, Atlantic and

South Pacific Oceans.

The chances of finding good weather all over the world at any one

time are "minute," according to Kenneth M. Nagler, the Weather Bureau's

head of the Spaceflight Meteorology Group. "There's always bound to

be bad weather at certain portions of the track," he says.

--more--
 _dd 2
MSC 65-43

Glenn, for instance, flew over vast dust storms in Africa;

M. Scott Carpenter's three-orbit trip took him over some of the

worst winter storms in the Southern Hemisphere; Walter M. Schirra,

Jr.'s six orbits covered about seven severe tropical storms, in-

cluding Hurricane Daisy.

Weather beneath the 22 orbits of L. Gordon Cooper, Jr., was

mostly good. Cooper's spacecraft landed in the Pacific Ocean after

piercing several layers of clouds, and the astronaut was retrieved

five-foot seas -- an acceptable recovery condition if not the most

desireable.

Nagler says some months are better than others for world-wide

weather. February, he says, is the worst weather month of the year.

March is nearly as bad_

N,-,FIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION

MANNEDSPACF.
BRAFTF--.LT'.2
__. _ _'_' .,%_...._
_ ..
J _;:;;",_:_Jous_:on
_.._,-.!;:':-"_¢,,
· ._,
_Z'Zi_]C EHTERi'_:_"';"J ) '_'""_
""':'::
HUnter 3-4231 I¢_C 65-44

HOUSTON, TEXAS -- A team of flight controllers girdling the earth

provides the human link between the ground and space-borne crew during

a Gemini mission.

These controllers, and their counterparts and the Flight Director

who will be stationed at Mission Control Center, Cape Kennedy, Florida,

for the GT-3 mission, are charged with analyzing a vast quantity of data

a second-by-second basis in order to advise the pilots on a continuing

basis regarding mission performance. They stand ready to assist the

pilots in any eventuality.

The controllers spend hundreds of hours in preparation for a par-

ticular mission, as does the flight crew. Pre-mission work includes

development of a detailed flight plan, flight simulations, and estab-

lishment of mission rules.

Heading GT-3 overall operations is Christopher columbus Kraft, Jr.,

Manned Spacecraft Center's Assistant Director for Flight Operations.

For this mission, he serves both as the Mission Director and Flight

Director. Kraft served as Flight Director onall the Project Mercury

_ssions.

--more--
Add 1
MSC 65-44

Kraft, 41, was born in Phoebus, Virginia. He was graduated from

Virginia Polytechnic Institute with a bachelor of science degree in

aeronautical engineering and has been with the National Aeronautics

and Space Administration and its predecessor, the National Advisory

committee for Aeronautics, since January 1945. He started his govern-

ment service at NACA's Langley Research Center.

As Mission Director for GT-3, Kraft is responsible for overall

conduct of the mission. He is supported during the mission period by

Department of Defense, contractor, and other NASA personnel in addition

the flight controllers and two doctors from the Royal Australian Air

Force. In this role he conducts a mission readiness review several days

prior to the launch. After receiving reports from key personnel on the

status of the crew, the spacecraft and launch vehicle systems, the Man-

ned Space Flight Network, and the weather, he must make a Go/No Go

decision_ If he decides the mission is Go, he then sets the date and

time of the launch°

Heading Department of Defense support for this mission are Air

Force Lt. Gen_ Leighton I. Davis, Manager of the National Range Divi-

sion and DOD Manager for Manned Flight Support Operations; and Air

Force Maj. Gen. Vincent G. Huston, Commander of the Air Force Eastern

--more--
Add 2
MSC 65-44

Test Range. DOD support embraces launch services at the Cape, remote

tracking facilities, and spacecraft recovery forces.

Other members of Kraft's command staff include Ernest Amman, 47,

U.S. Weather representative who keeps Kraft advised of weather condi-

tions in the Cape area as well as the various landing areas, and a NASA

Assistant Information Director for Mission Commentary. The Manned

Spacecraft Center Public Affairs Officer, Paul Haney, 36, serves in

the latter capacity. He is responsible for relaying to news media

representatives all vital information concerning the flight.

As Flight Director, Kraft is responsible for detailed control of

the mission. In this capacity, he is also responsible for the imple-

mentation of mission objectives and for making decisions which might

change the flight plan and mission rules on an as-necessary basis.

A 31-year-old native of Toledo, Ohio, Eugene F. Kranz, will

serve as Assistant Flight Director during the GT-3 mission. He was

graduated from St. Louis University with a bachelor of science degree

in aeronautical engineering and has been with NASA since October 1960.

During the flight he will assist Kraft in the detailed control of the

mission and will assume full responsibility during the absence of the

Flight Director.

--more--
Add 3
' C 65-44

Manfred yon Ehrenfried and Lawrence L. Armstrong will serve at

Mission Control Center as Operations _nd Procedures Officers for the

mission, von Ehrenfried, 29, was born in Dayton, Ohio, and was grad-

uated from the University of Richmond with a bachelor of science degree

in physics. He has been with NASA since July 1961. Armstrong, 26, is

a native of Pocatello, Idaho, and has been with NASA since August 1962.

The Operations and Procedures Officers are responsible to the Flight

Director for detailed implementation of the MCC/GOSS (ground operational

support systems); implementation of remote site flight controller sched-

uling and operation, flight controller communication network discipline,

=nd monitoring all missioncontrol teletype traffic.

There are three Network Controllers assigned to the mission. All

three are Air Force captains, assigned to the Air Force Systems Command.

They are R. B. Sheridan, 32, a native of Detroit, Michigan; A. Piske,

31, a native of Metairie, Louisiana; and W. E. Arellano, 35, a native

of Fort Collins, Colorado° Sheridan was graduated from the Uo S. Mili-

tary Academy and Piske from the U.S. Naval Academy. Both received a

master of science degree in astronautical engineering from the Air

Force Institute of Technology at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio.

--more--
 'd4
_SC 65-44

Arellano attended Rollins College at Orlando, Florida. They are re-

sponsible to the Flight Director during the mission for the capability

of the instrumentation network required to support the flight° Their

specific duties include advising the Flight Director of network status,

issuing network instrumentation changes and instructions, and taking

appropriate actions to insure the network is capable of providing the

support required for the mission.

Flight Dynamics Officers for the GT-3 mission are Clifford E.

Charlesworth, Jr. and Glynn S. Lunney. Charlesworth, 33, a native of

Redwing, Minnesota, was graduated from Mississippi College, Clinton,

. _ssissippi, with a bachelor of science degree in physics. He joined

NASA in September 1961_ Lunney, 28, was born in Old Forge, Pennsylvania,

and received a bachelor of science degree from the University of

Scranton. He has been with NACA and NASA since August 1955, starting

his service at the Lewis Flight Propulsion Laboratory in Cleveland,

Ohio. The Flight Dynamics Officers are responsible to the Flight Di-

rector for monitoring the powered flight phase of the mission, orbital

events, and trajectories from the standpoint of mission success. They

also transmit radio frequency commands to the spacecraft and launch

vehicle, monitor reentry trajectories and update landing point estimates.

--more--
 ld 5
MSC 65-44

The Guidance and Navigation System Engineers for the mission are

Arnold D. Aldrich and Gerald D. Griffin. Aldrich, 28, was born in

Arlington, Massachusetts, and received a bachelor of science degree

in electrical engineering from Northeastern University at Boston. He

joined NASA in July 1959. Griffin, 30, is a native of Athens, Texas.

He was graduated from Texas A&M with a bachelor of science degree in

aeronautical engineering, and joined NASA in June 1964. The Guidance

and Navigation Systems Engineers are responsible to the Flight Director

for detecting slow-rate deviations in the first stage of the launch

vehicle and verification of the performance of the radio guidance sys-

uem; detecting any launch vehicle second stage radio guidance system

malfunctions; and making recommendations to the Flight Director as to

whether a switchover to the secondary guidance system should be made,

depending on the nature of any malfunction noted.

Retrofire Controllers for the GT-3 mission will be John S. Llewellyn,

Jr. and Jerry C. Bostwick. Llwellyn, 33, is a native of Newport News,

Virginia, and received a bachelor of science degree in physics from

Randolph-Macon at Ashland, Virginia. He has been with NACA and NASA

since June 1957 at which time he started at Langley Research Center.

Bostwick, 25, was born in Golden, Mississippi, and was graduated from

Mississippi State College with a bachelor of science degree in civil

--more--
_dd 6
.SC 65-44

engineering. He joined NASA in January 1962. The Retrofire Controllers

are responsible to the Flight Director for determination and transmis-

sion of retrofire times, either in the event of an abort, a contin-

gency landing situation, a landing at the end of an orbit, or the

landing at the end of the nominal mission. Their responsibilities in-

clude a constant check on retrofire parameters and landing point esti-

mates. They also maintain current data for updating the onboard com-

puter for orbital navigation and reentry guidance and consult with the

Flight Director, other flight controllers and the astronauts concern-

ing reentry planning. They receive frequent reports as to weather

_nditions in planned landing areas and in the event weather conditions

in those areas should become not acceptable, coordinate with the Flight

Director and recovery personnel in making required changes. One of

their prime responsibilities is insuring that the correct information

as to retrofire time has been received and acknowledged by the flight

crew.

Switchover Monitors for GT-3 will be Charlie B. Parker and Thomas

F. Carter, Jr. Parker, 30, is a native of Concord, Texas, and was

graduated from Lamar State College with a bachelor of science degree

in electrical engineering. Carter, 26, is a native of Quitman, Mis-

sissippi, and was graduated from Mississippi State College with a

--more--
ndd 7
MSC 65-44

degree in civil engineering° The switchover monitors are responsible

to the Flight Director for informing him of any apparent malfunctions

and making recommendations concerning switching over from the primary

radio guidance system to the secondary inertial guidance system.

The Electrical, Environmental, and Communications System Engineers

for GT-3 will be Richard D. Glover, John W. Aaron and Larry Bell.

Glover, 30, was born in Chicago, Illinois, and received a bachelor

of science degree in electrical engineering from the University of

Texas and a master of science degree in electrical engineering from

qtanford University. He has been with NASA since November 1963.

Aaron, 22, is a native of Wellington, Texas. He was graduated from

Southwestern State College, Weatherford, Oklahoma, with a bachelor

of science degree in physics and has been with NASA since June 1964.

Bell_ 23, was born in Texas city, Texas, and was graduated from Lamar

State College with a bachelor of science degree_ He has been with

NASA since February 1965_ The EECOM Engineers monitor various ac-

tivities in order to stay abreast of the spacecraft status and to

correlate MCC display readouts with those appearing in the spacecraft.

Significant readout discrepancies will be resolved with the MCC Telem-

etry supervisor. They are responsible to the Flight Director for all

information concerning the spacecraft systems.

--more--
Add 8
MSC 65-44

The Booster Systems Engineer for this mission will be william E.

Platt, 29, a native of Wink, Texas. He was graduated from Southwestern

Louisiana Institute with a bachelor of science degree in mechanical

engineering. He is responsible to the Flight Director an_ Flight

Dynamics Officer for all booster systems degradations observed and is

responsible for monitoring booster sequential, electrical, hydraulic,

propulsion, and malfunction detection system displays.

The Spacecraft Communicator for this flight will be Astronaut

L. Gordon Cooper, Jro, 38, who was born in Shawnee, Oklahoma. Cooper

_ade the final flight in the Mercury program _ 22 orbits in his

"Faith 7" spacecraft. As spacecraft communicator he is responsible

to the Flight Director for voice contact with the flightcrew in con-

nection with details concerning the mission flight plan, flight pro-

cedures, mission rules, and the spacecraft systems.

Another astronaut, Eugene A. Cernan, 31-year-old native of

Chicago, Illinois, will serve as Booster Tank Monitor for _T-3.

l In

this position, he is responsible for monitoring and operating launch

vehicle propellant tank pressure displays. He will advise the flight

crew and the Flight Director of all tank pressure degradations observed

and will recommend an abort by means of the spacecraft abort light

and/or voice radio if a tank pressure structural problem is indicated.

--more--
 _d 9
MSC 65-44

Flight Surgeons in MCC for the flight will be Charles A. Berry,

Chief of Center Medical Programs for Manned Spacecraft Center, and

Air Force Maj. J. R. Wamsley. Berry, 41, is a native of Rogers,

Arkansas, He received a bachelor of arts degree from the University

of California in 1945 and his MD degree from that same university in

1947_ He was graduated from the Harvard School of Public Health in

1955 with a master of Public Health degree. He has been with NASA

since June 1963. The flight surgeons are responsible to the Flight

Director for advising him of astronaut status during the mission as

pertains to blood pressure, pulse rates, respiratory rates, and

_lectrocardiograms. They will also advise the Flight Director of

any obvious physical abnormalities noted.

The NASA Recovery Coordinator, located at MCC, will be Robert F_

Thompson. Thompson, 39, is a native of Bluefield, Virginia, and re-

ceived a bachelor of science degree in aeronautical engineering from

Virginia Polytechnic Institutel He joined NACA/NASA in March 1947 at

Langley Research Center. He is responsible to the Flight Director

for coordination of all recovery activities and is physically stationed

at MCC in the Recovery Room, located adjacent to the Operations Room.

Others assisting in this phase of the operation include an assistant

NASA Recovery Coordinator, a senior Department of Defense Representa-

tive, and the Department of Defense Operational Control Staff.

--more--
dd 10
MSC 65-44

Due to the fact that future Gemini missions will be of longer

duration, there is a continuing requirement for training personnel

for the various flight controller positions. While the GT-3 flight

is in progress a complete team of flight controllers will be monitoring

the flight from the Mission Control Center at Houston, Texas, in ad-

dition to the flight controllers on duty in MCC at Cape Kennedy. Key

personnel on this team will be: J. D. Hodge, Flight Director; J.W.

Roadh, Assistant Flight Director; J. H. Temple, Operations and Pro-

cedures Officer; Dr. D. O. Coons, Flight Surgeon; Astronaut Roger B.

Chaffee, Spacecraft Communicator; D. T. Lockard, Guidance and Navi-

gation Engineer; T. R. Loe, Electrical, Environmental and Communica-

tions Systems Engineer; Astronaut C. C. Williams, Jr., Tank Monitor;

S. M. Present, Booster Monitor; Ko W. Russell and W. E. Fenner, Guid-

ance Officers; D. V. Massaro, Retrofire Officer; and Air Force Maj.

H. E. Nichols, Network Controller.

The flight controller at remote sites will perform duties during

the simulations and the flight as command communicators, systems en-

gineers, flight surgeons and astronaut simulators. The astronaut

simulators will only be used during network simulations and will pro-

vide information to the command communicators at their particular

site similar to that they will receive from the astronauts during the

dctual mission.
--more--
 dd 11
MSC 65-44

Following is a list of remote sites which will be manned for

GT-3, the positions, the personnel who will man those positions and

the organization to which they are assigned:

Canary Island: Command Communicators - A. J. Roy, Jr., Flight

Control Division, MSC; and A. S. Davis, Philco. Systems Engineers -

Gary E. Coen, Flight Control Division, MSC; and A. oW. Barker, Philco.

Astronaut Simulator - J. E. Saultz, Flight Control Division, MSC.

Flight Surgeons - Navy Captain E. L. Beckman and Army Lieutenant

Colonel R. H. Shamburek.

Carnarvon, Australia: Command Communicators - D. S. Hunter and

J. P. Vick; Systems Engineers - T. A. White and W. M. Merritt; and

Astronaut Simulator - B. H. Walton, all assigned to Flight Control

Division, MSC. Flight Surgeons - Air Force Maj. R. A. Pollard, MSC;

and Wing Commander A. J. Bishop and Squadron Leader Dr. Murray Alston,

both of the Royal Australian Air Force. Astronaut Charles Conrad, Jr.

will be an observer at Carnarvon.

Kauai, Hawaii: Command Communicators - J. L. Tomberlin and P. L.

Ealick, both assigned to Flight Control Division, MSC. System Engi-

neers - J° F. Moser and C. A. Link, both Philco employees. Astronaut

Simulator - J. R. Fucci, Philco. Flight Surgeons - Dr. D. E. Catterson,

MSC, and Air Force Lieutenant Colonel H. R. Unger. Astronaut Neil

Armstrong will be an observer.

--more--
Add 12
MSC 65-44

Corpus Christi, Texas: Command Communicators -- K. K. Kundel,

Flight Operations Division, MSC; and R. F. Robertson, Philco. Sys-

tems Engineers - D. L. Klingbeil, Philco; and G. M. Bliss, Flight

Operations Division, MSC. Astronaut Simulator - W. E. Emerson, Philco.

Flight Surgeons - Air Force Major R. M. Chubb and Navy Lieutenant

G. A. Humbert.

Guaymas, Mexico: Command Communicators - C. R. Lewis and G. B.

Scott; and Systems Engineers - G. F. Muse and H. B. Stephenson, all

of Flight Control Division, MSC. Astronaut Simulator - E. L. Dunbar,

zhilco. Flight Surgeons - Air Force Major R. R. Burwell and Army

Major J. E. Hertzog.

ROSE KNOT VICTOR Tracking Ship (East of Hawaii): Command Com-

municators - E. I. Fendell and L. E. Mercier, both of Flight Opera-

tions Division, MSC. Systems Engineers - H. Smith, Philco; and J.

Fuller, Flight Operations Division, MSC. Astronaut Simulator

H. V. Berlin, Philco. Flight Surgeons - Dr. G. F. Kelly, MSC; and

Air Force Major D. E. Graveline.

COASTAL SENTRY QUEBEC Tracking Ship (Indian Ocean): Command

?
Communicators - W. D. Garvin and H. E. Porter; System Engineers -

J. E. Walsh and F. E. Claunch; and Astronaut Simulator - H. R. Perkins,

-- more--
Add 13
MSC 65-44

all of Philco. Flight Surgeons - Dr. C. A. Jernigan, MSC; and Air

Force Major G. D. Young, Jr.

Also assisting the Flight Director in the conduct of the mission

is a Mission Control Center support group. This group performs a

number of functions which include necessary operations to provide

information concerning telemetry, etc.

The telemetry room is shared jointly by the Air Force Eastern

Test Range and NASA. The equipment used in the Gemini program in-

clude a Pulse Command Modulation System in addition to other telem-

etry equipment.

Two digital command systems and a tone command are housed in

the command room. Command signals are transmitted by land lines to

the command destruct building at Cape Kennedy where 10 kilowatt com-

mand transmitters and antennas are located.

In the air-to-ground equipment room, a received and communi-

cations console allows simultaneous conversations with astronauts

on the high-frequency and ultra-high frequency radio lengths. Direct

air-to-ground communications between Mission Control Center and the

astronauts in the Gemini spacecraft are possible through the facil-

ities of the world-wide tracking network.

--more--
Add 14
MSC 65-44

The data select room is a focal point of the launch monitor sub- !

system which drives the flight dynamics officer's plotboard and dis-

plays. In addition, raw radar data is received from the range track-

ing network converted to teletype format and transmitted to Goddard

Space Flight Center for orbital computation.

In addition to these areas at MCC, other facilities there which

provide necessary support requirements are a network room, a data

analysis and flight control briefingroom, and communications center.

A Gemini simulator is also located in MCC. The crew station in

_his facility is identical to the spacecraft in which the astronauts

make the flight and provides a capability for simulating all phases

of a mission with the exception of liftoff and reentry g-forces and

weightlessness° This training facility is controlled from a three-

man instructor console and a two-man telemetry monitor console. In

addition to providing flight crew training it is used extensively

during network simulations.

II
JJ;
NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION

]llmmc ENTb K_ _/-. _2:,=:'_ -'1. Te x a s

HUnter 3-4231 MSC 65-45
March 31, 1965

HOUSTON, TEXAS -- Dr. Lewis F. Hatch, Graduate Professor of

Chemistry at the University of Texas, will be the guest speaker

Arpil 3 at the final presentation of the Distinguished Lecture

Series sponsored by the Gulf Coast Science Foundation.

His lecture is entitled "The Petrochemical Industry." It will

be given at the Clear Creek High School at 8 p.m., Saturday evening.

A specialist in the petrochemicals fields, Dr. Hatch has spent

several years in the Middle East as a consultant to the chemical and

petroleum fields. He is the author of over 100 technical articles,

has ten patents and has authored or co-authored seven books.

Recently he presented a paper in Teheran, Iran at the United

Nations Conference on Petrochemical Industries for Developing Countries.

Dr. Hatch was awarded a Doctorate in Chemistry from Purdue

University; and a bachelor's degree from the State College of Washington

(now Washington State University).

Purpose of the lecture series is to stimulate interest in the

fields of science among the students, teachers and adults of this area.
NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION

MANNED SPACECRAFT _Hous_on

"CENTE , Texas
HUnter 3-4231 MSC 65-46
March 31, 1965

HOUSTON, TEXAS -- Engineering courses and research opportunities

in space science fields will be offered to fifteen college professors

from throughout the nation under a Summer Faculty Fellowship Program

this summer. The program will be conducted jointly by the National

Aeronautics and Space Administration, the University of Houston and

Texas A&M University.

Scheduled to run from June 14 through August 20, the project

will be directed by Astronaut M. Scott Carpenter, executive assist-

ant to the director of the NASA Manned Spacecraft Center, and Dr.

C. J. Huang, chairman of the department of chemical engineering at

the University of Houston. Serving as a member of the project's

advisory committee is Dr. A. E. Cronk, chairman of the department

of aeronautical engineering at Texas A&M University.

Astronaut Carpenter is responsible for appointing the fellow-

ships and for selecting their research assignments during the pro-

gram.

Professors taking part in the Summer Fellowship Program will

gain actual research and development experience by spending 30 hours

--more--
MSC 65-46

each week attending lectures at the University_-f Houston by pro-

fessors from U of H and from Texas A&M U_iversity. Additional

lecturers will come from the Manned Spacecraft Center, the American

Society of Engineering Educators, other universities and from industry.

Among the research and development fields at the Manned Space-

craft Center are spacecraft technology, space en¥ironment, crew sys-

tems and systems evaluation and development.

Following a survey of faculty fellows, the University of Houston

and Texas A&M University will each conduct three courses of the fol-

lowing six: electrical engineering aspects of manned spacecraft de-

sign, space environment and materials, rocket flight dyanmics, funda-

mental concepts in aerodynamic heating, continuum mechanics and

aerospace structural mechanics.

One of six summer programs to be carried out simultaneously

throughout the nation, the project is being financed under a $60,000

contract from NASA to the University of Houston for providing to

engineering professors knowledge and experience in the fields of space

technology which will be of benefit to their colleges.

Similar programs will be jointly provided by NASA Ames Research

Center and Stanford University; NASA Lewis Research Center and Case

Institute of Technology; NASA Langley Research Center and the Univer-

sity of Virginia, William and Mary College and Virginia Polytechnic

Institute; NASA Marshall Space Flight Center, Auburn University and

the University of Alabama and the NASA Goddard Space Flight Center and

University of Maryland and Catholic University.

IIJlli
 i_ _ El _; '_

NI--'ONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION

[: ..... :::_JC
EHTERI._,,,,_ . _ -'_;':"_':,,_", s
HUnter 3-4231 MSC 65-47
April 6, 1965

HOUSTON, TEXAS -- Five mid- and southwestern states will send a

total of 17 gifted high school students to the NASA Manned Spacecraft

Center April 15 and 16 to participate in the regional finals of a

science congress which will be hosted by the space agency.

The students were chosen from hundreds who participated in a

nationwide Youth Science Congress sponsored by the National Science

_ _chers Association (NSTA) and the National Aeronautics and Space

Administration.

Nine of the participants come from Texas; Kansas is,next with

five, and colorado, Nebraska, and Oklahoma each are sending one.

One of the Texas group, two come from Houston; two from Longview;

two from Pampa; two from San Antonio, and one comes from Austin.

Texas finalists are Edward Osborne, 8110 Lawler Street, Houston;

William A. Voelkle, 735 Eubanks Street, Houston; Donnis D. Koons,

Route 2, Longview; Jame Smith, 144 Houston Street, Longivew; Avril

Doucette, 2424 Mary Ellen Avenue, Pampa; Cynthia Plaster, 1010 Charle_

Street, Pampa; Mary A. Geyne, 727 East Hildebrand Avenue, San Antonio;

Elizabeth Switzer, 530 Wheaton Road, San Antonio; and Arthur Frankel,

1110 Gaston Avenue, Austin.

--more--
Add 1
'_C 65-47

Regional finalists from Kansas include Sarah Hall, 2121 Browning

Avenue, and Robert Weltsch, 714 Poyntz Street, both of Manhatten;

James Haug, Route 2, Seneca; Margaret MacDougall, 5315 West 79th Terrace,

Shawnee Mission; and Edward Aten, 7109 Hardy Street, Overland Park.

Others are Robert Vadnal, 930 Box Elder Avenue, Pueblo, Colorado;

Margaret Wilkie, Marsland, Nebraska; and Paul Patten, 823½ West Apache

Street, Purcell, Oklahoma.

While at the Center, the students will present their scientific

papers to a panel of judges who will select three regional winners.

The winners will advance to a national competition to be held at NASA

'eadquarters, Washington, D. C., in May.

In addition to the professional meetings at which they will be

reading their own research reports, the science-talented students will

visit with NASA engineering personnel in the MSC laboratories, and

will tour the Houston area.

Two luncheons are scheduled. An astronaut will be the principal

speaker at one, and a member of the aerospace industry will speak at

the other. Climax of the two days of meetings will come at an awards

dinner at which time the winners will be announced.

The winners' research papers covered the scientific fields of

botany, earth and space, chemistry, and biology.

--more--
6dd 2
_C 65-47

This is the second year NSTA sponsored congresses. They were

initiated in order that senior high school students may more thoroughly

understand professional requirements in the fields of science and

technology. The program consists of eight regional events with the

winners moving to a national competition.

NSTA coordinator for the region is Mrs. Elaine Ledbetter, head

of the science department at Pampa Senior High School, Pampa, Texas.

The program is under the direction of Eugene E. Horton, MSC's Chief

of Educational Programs and Services.

;;
;J;J
FOR Release 2:00 CST, April 9, 1965 jointly with NASA Hqs.

MIT GETS NEW CONTRACT FOR APOLLO GUIDANCE, NAVIGATION SYSTEM

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration awarded a

separate contact today to the Massachusetts Institute of Technology,

Cambridge, Massachusetts for continued direction of overall design

of the Apollo guidance and navigation systems.

The cost reimbursement contract, with no fee, will cover

further work on guidance and navigation of the Apollo command

and lunar excursion modules. MIT was selected in August 1961 to

design the system. The new contract runs from March 1 through

November 30, 1965 and totals $15,529,000, including $1.4 million

for supporting research activities to maintain an advanced tech-

nology in the guidance and navigation fields.

MIT is an associate contractor in the Apollo guidance and

navigation systems program. AC Spark Plug, Division of General

Motors, Corpo, Milwaukee, Wis., is prime contractor to NASA to

build the system. Kollsman Instrument Corp., Elmhurst, N. Y.,

and Raytheon COo'S Missile and Space Division, Lexington, Mass.

have subcontracts with AC to build prototypes, test articles, and

flight hardware.
 ,_ Washington, April 9 -- Control of manned flight missions

from the new Mission Control Center at the Manned Spacecraft

Center in Houston will begin With the forthcoming Gemini Titan 4

flight.

Dr. George E. Mueller, NASA Associate Administrator for

Manned Space Flight, announced the change of primary flight

control from the Mission Control Center at Cape Kennedy to the

Mission Control Center of Houston.

The GT-4 flight is scheduled for the third quarter of this

yea r.

Dr. Mueller said Christopher C. Kraft will serve as mission

director for the four-day orbital mission. He was mission and

flight director for GT-3, a successful 3-orbit mission completed

March 23.

The Houston Mission Control Center will be operated on a

three shift basis with an approximate two-hour overlap between

i

:: the shifts to insure smooth transition.

• Kraft will also serve as one of: the three flight directors,

the other two being John Hodge and Gene Kranz. Because of his

} !";: dual role, Kraft will divide his time before launch between Cape

' :.il;_:.)?!
:i)iii!_i:i:/_J'i
Kennedy and the Contro i Center a t Manned Spa tecta ft .Cen£er .'=
:.He
:_::_,_:,<5
will return to Houston on the afternoon prior to launch.iand con£rol
 Add i

During the launch phase of the count the Cape Kennedy

Control Center will provide backup in trajectory and launch

vehicle telemetry areas. NASA_s Goddard Computer Center will

follow control of the flight on a backup basis and will provide

information directly to Cape Kennedy during the launch phase.

Mueller said he was very pleased with perfromance from the

Houston Control Center during the GT-3 mission. The Houston

Center served as backup to Cape Kennedy for this flight.

Mueller said there are no major problems remaining in the

transition from Cape Kennedy control. The last remaining major

task involves linking the mission simulator at Cape Kennedy and

i!!ii____
_ the Houston Control Center. This will permit the crew _t° fly
:: :•i • • simulated missions at Cape Kennedy while being controlled from

i_ " . Houston - as would be done fn a normal flight situation.

"i

<_ The Mission Control Center-Houston has four major _ functional

_;! ....

_?<•. . systems -- Display and Control; Communications; Simulations,

i ,' Checkout • and Tralning" (SCATS); and _the•Real Time Computer Complex

(RTC).

:_:'_'_:__<
........ The MCC -H provides centralized control of manned spaceflight

. -$_ •

: programs - including full mission controI from launch through

 +/

Add 2

In addition to 384 high-resolution TV monitors in 140

control consoles, the center features an expanse of rear

projection screens on which are flashed TV images, maps,

trajectories and other information vital to mission controllers.

The screens are I0 feet high and £otal 60 feet in width.

Ringing the top of the large-screen displays and the

operating consoles are computer-driven time and data displays

serving to report instantly the status of astronauts, spacecraft

and supporting operations to the mission/flight director.

Most of the information to be displayed will reach the Mission

Control Center over land lines.

i " i+ ii ii ii H ii i* ii H H ii ii ii _1 ii H _f _.
: +, +i,, ,,,, ,_,_ _1 i_+++,+,_,+ll II H U
 I-li,'A
N_TIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE
mi ADMINISTRATION
=
MANNEDSPACECRAFT :__Hous'l:on
_CENTER t, Texas

HUnter 3-4231 MSC 65-48

April 9, 1965

HOUSTON, TEXAS -- Works of art done by Manned Spacecraft

Center employees will be on exhibit at the Center Auditorium

on April 11 and 18 from 1 to 5 p.m.

The art show is being held in conjunction with the regular

Sunday Open House, in which exhibits and motion pictures on the

manned spaceflight program are presented to the public.

Four categories of original art will be on display. They

include oil paintings, water colors, prints, and ceramics.

IIIIfl
N.z_-mlONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION

MANNED
SPACECRA Hous'l:on
CENTER il, Texas
April 12, 1965

EDITORS NOTE

The first full scale test of the parasail-landing rocket

developmental system at Fort Hood, Texas is scheduled to take

place Wednesday, April 21. If you wish to have a representative

at this test, please submit his or her name to the Public Affairs

Office. An indication of press interest is necessary in order to

coordinate on-site service with Army officials. A pre-flight

press briefing will be held at the Officers Club, Fort Hood, on

April 20 at 8 p.m. If possible, press should attend this brief-

ing for important background information on the test.

 I

NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION

M.NNEDSPACECRAFT Houston
11, Texas

HISTORY OF FULL SCALE PARASAIL AND LANDING ROCKET DROP TESTS

ALL TESTS CONDUCTED ON TRINITY BAY

Feb. 2, 1964 -- Drop with parasail only to verify drop method.

The bcilerplate was dropped from an altitude of 6,000 ft., para-

sail deployed satisfactorily, and vehicle harness changed from

vertical to horizontal attitude.

April 8, 1964 -- First drop to test flight maneuvering with

parasail turn system. Dropped from 11,400 ft., the reefing line

on parasail failed structurally just prior to full reefed infla-

tion. Parasail was separated and boilerplate descended on _84 ft.

rlngsail chute_

April 29, 1964 -- Scheduled as a repeat of April 8 test.

DroppeJ from 11,100 ft., all systems functioned correctly. Turn

system was activated and several turns executed in flight. Boiler-

plate was maneuvered to within approximately 50 yds. of target°

May 14, 1964 -- First incorporation of interim altitude sensor

into parasail system. Dropped from 11,000 ft. Although forward

Y bridle leg load cell failed structurally, several turns were

made in flight. Vehicle was maneuvered 40 yds. from target area

and altitude sensors were actuated, firing flash bulbs which simu-

lated rocket firing.

--more --
 2

May 26, 1964 -- Further test of turn system and interim al-

titude sensor performance. Right turn motor failed, and vehicle

was landed within 90 yards of target using left turn motor onlyo

Altitude sensors functioned properly.

July 31, 1964 -- A crane drop was conducted at Ellington AFB

to evaluate the landing rockets and landing gear. The impacting

surface was one half inch steel plate over concrete. Rockets

fired and decelerated the vehicle to approximately 7 feet per

second at impact.

Oct. 16, 1964 -- First test of rocket attentuation system

with parasail over water. Boilerplate was dropped from 11_200 fto_

parasail deployed but turn motors d_d not operate. Landing rockets

fired at altitude sensor impact closure, but vehicle landed two

miles from target area.

Dec. 1t, 1964 -- First incorporation of deHaviland altitude

sensor and 70 ft. parasail with landing rocket system. Boiler-

plate was dropped from 7,000 ft. but turn motors did not operate.

New sensors operated and landing rockets fired as boilerplate im-

pacted 200 yards from target area°

Jan. 14, 1965 -- MQdified turn line stowage was evaluated

and further flight control experience with 70 ft. parasail was

_-more--
 3

obtained. Ail systems functioned correctly. Turns systems responded

to turns systems commands. Several turns were executed in flight

and vehicle was maneuvered within 1/4 mile of the target area°

Feb. 25, 1965 -- Evaluated effect of increased turn line

length and served as final rehearsal for land landing tests. All

systems functioned normally. Landing rockets were not used_ With

strong head winds, the parasail managed to bring the boilerplate

to within 1000 yds. of the target.

March 12, 1965 -- A second static test of landing rockets

was conducted at Ellington AFB. The test was conducted over a

sod surface to verify thrust alinement and to determine impact

and post impact acceleration. Rocket exhaust dug a crater 11 fro

wide, 2½ ft. deep, and eight ft. long. Boilerplate remained in

stable position under worst possible landing conditions°

r'_,TIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION

MANNED SpACECRAFl[q
HUnter 3-4231 MSC 65-49
April 13, 1965

HOUSTON, TEXAS -- The U.S. will explore the land landing capa-

bility of its spacecraft with the first test of the parasail-landing

rocket at Fort Hood, Texas on April 21.

A series of four tests are scheduled for the Tank Assault Range

at Fort Hood. The boilerplate spacecraft will be dropped by C-119

aircraft from 11,500 feet. Depending on wind conditions at the time

of the drop, test conductors will attempt to land the boilerplate in

one of the five prepared landing areas on the range.

The parasail is a steerable parachute which has already under-

gone nine drop tests over water on Galveston Bay. On two of these

tests, landing rockets were used to slow the descent speed of the

boilerplate.

In the test sequence, when the parasail is fully opened the

test conductor will steer the vehicle by radio command system which

operates turn motors onboard the boilerplate. The turn motors con-

trol flap angles on the parachute which in turn controls chute di-

rection of drift.

--more--
Add 1
MSC 65-49

Two altitude sensors are suspended below the spacecraft. They

are tubular metal probes 12 ft. long. When they impact with the

groun_ _ they ignite two 6,000 thrust rockets in the lower equipment

bay of the boilerplate.

The rocket thrust reduces the vertical landing speed from 30 to

less than ten feet per second. Tricycle landing gear will be used to

provide a stable landing after the rockets have fired.

The parasail-landing rocket tests are being conducted by the

Landing Technology Branch of Structures and Mechanics Division and

the Operational Evaluation and Test Branch of the Landing and Recovery

Division.

Landing rocket design was engineered by the Power and Propulsion

Division and contracted to the Thiokol Corporation of Elkton, Md. for

production. Technical support was provided by Technical Services

Division.

The parasail was manufactured by the Pioneer Parachute Co.,

Manchester, Conn. Altitude sensors were produced by the deHaviland

Aircraft Co. of Canada.

#_
NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION

M.NNEDSPACECRAFT ,_ .Houston
CENTERI, Texas
HUnter 3-4231 MSC 65-50
April 15, 1965

HOUSTON, TEXAS -- Chamber "A", the 120 ft. high by 65 ft. diam-

eter vacuum chamber under construction at the Manned Spacecraft Cen-

ter, has successfully passed a structural integrity test here yester-

day.

The chamber was pumped down to an altitude of approximately

130,000 feet and a battery of 225 instruments placed on its steel

skin measured the stress as the air on the outside pushed against

the chamber.

The pumpde_ of the chamber began at 9 a.m. Tuesday and ter-

minated at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday. Normal pumpdown time would be less,

but frequent holds were called to check data obtained from the instru-

ments.

Engineers from Manned Spacecraft Center, the Army Corps of En-

gineers, and the prime construction contractor for the chamber,

Chicago Bridge and Iron, conducted the test. Test conductors were

Tom Milton, Lou Vosteen and Phil Glynn, all MSC engineers.

A vacuum integrity test is scheduled to start later this week.

During this test, the chamber will be pumped down to an equivalent

of 70 miles in altitude and the leak rate of air into the chamber

_ill be checked.

--more--
Add i
'_C 65-50

Chamber "A" will be used by the MSC for checking full Apollo

lunar spacecraft under vacuum and thermal conditions. The tests

this week are part of a series designed to qualify the large chamber

for operational use.

 I;l'A' 1
N_ATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND
;I mi
SPACE ADMINISTRATION
=
_ANNEDSPACECRAFT
.___ouston
,._
_CENTER -_ -_l, Texas
HU 3-4231 MSC 65-51
April 21, 1965

HOUSTON, TEXAS -- A general press conference with Astronauts

James McDivitt and Edward White, the GT-4 flight crew, has been

scheduled for April 30 in FOB 6, Washington, D. C., beginning at

9 a.m., it was announced today by Paul Haney, Public Affairs Officer

for MSC. This meeting had tentatively been set for Chapel Hill,

North Carolina.

Haney said that additional, individual interviews with the

GT-4 flight crew will be arranged for a later date in Houston,

Texas.

Hllll
 I ;;li'A't l -I q I-] -
I:T , _.___Houst:on
_cEMANNED
SPACEC_ERi/__i. Texa _
MEMO TO PRESS - April 21, 1965

A series of briefings and demonstrations showing varied astro-

naut training devices and facilities at the Manned Spacecraft Center

will be conducted for interested members of the press starting at

9:00 a.m., Saturday, April 24.

A tentative schedule of activities follows:

9:00 am - 9:30 am Demonstration at the lunar landscape involving

MSC engineer in prototype space suit performing

tasks with working tools

9:30 am - 10:30 am Briefing and demonstration of the translation and

docking trainer (bldg 260) with anMSC engineer

'flying' the vehicle.

10:30 am - 11:00 am Briefing by an MSC engineer beside the Gemini

Mission Simulator.

11:00 am - 11:30 am Briefing by an MSC engineer beside the Dynamic

Systems Trainer.

11:30 am - 12:30 am Tour of the Astronauts' gym with briefing by

gym manager.

12:30 pm - 1:30 pm Lunch break

1:30 pm - 2:00 pm Tour and briefing of the centrifuge conducted by

an MSC engineer.
MEMO TO PRESS
%pril 21, 1965
Add 1

2:00 pm - 2:45 pm Tour and briefing of the space environmental

facility (both chambers) conducted by an MSC

engineer.
 I ;;;A'A'
NATIONAL AERONAUTICS
[4 ;In q' _l-
AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION

M.NNEDSPACECRAFT
, ._/;_._Hous_on
_CENTER '__l._rexas
HUnter 3-4231 MSC 65-52
April 23, 1965

HOUSTON, TEXAS -- An operation to remove an injured cartilage

from the right knee of Astronaut Edwin E. Aldrin, Jr., was successfully

performed at Wilford Hall U.S. Air Force Hospital, San Antonio, this

morning. Col. George H. ChamBers, who performed the 53-minute opera-

tion, reported the patient in excellent condition, awake and comfortable.

The operation Began at 7:57 a.m. and was completed at 8:50 a.m.

Aldrin is expected to be in the hospital for about a week after

.ich time he will return to limited duty for 6 to 8 weeks.

;lllll
NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION

MfNNEDSPACECRAFT ,_..Houson
ENTER I., Taxa s
HUnter 3-4231 MSC 65-53
April 22, 1965

HOUSTON, TEXAS -- Astronaut Edwin E. Aldrin, Jr., 35, will

undergo surgery tomorrow for removal of an injured cartilage in his

right knee.

Aldrin, an Air Force Major, on duty at NASA's Manned Spacecraft

Center, entered Wilford Hall Hospital, Lackalnd AFB, San Antonio,

Texas, today. The cartilag2, medically identified as a medial

meniscus, apparently was injured and aggravated in the _course of

n_s astronaut training, which includes strenuous physical condi-

tioning, competitive athletics, parachute landing exercises, geology

field trips and contingency Survival training. Doctors have been

watching the condition for about a year and have recommended surgery

to avoid any permanent impairment.

He is expected to spend about a week in the hospital, to be

followed by about 6 to 8 weeks of limited duty. Aldrin was selected

for astronaut training in October, 1963.

II
I;I;
NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION

M.NNEDSPACECRAFT H°ust°
ENTE
R ?exa
HUnter 3-4231 MSC 65- 54
April 29, 1965

HOUSTON, TEXAS -- A graduate education center will be established

at the NASA Manned Spacecraft Center under a plan recently approved by

the Texas Commission on Higher Education. The Graduate Education Center

will be operated by the University of Houston at the Manned Spacecraft

Center site, 22 miles southeast of Houston.

Dr. Robert Gilruth, director of the NASA Center, and Dr. Philip

Hoffman, president of the University of Houston, jointly requested

?proval of the Graduate Center by the Commission.

Graduate study opportunities in engineering, physical sciences,

public administration and management will be provided to employees

of the Manned Spacecraft Center and to other persons living in the

vicinity of the Center. Dr. Gilruth has repeatedly emphasized the

need for a high-quality graduate study program easily available to

NASA employees.

Courses offered by the Graduate Center will permit Manned Space-

craft Center employees to complete most degree requirements at their

place of work, and for the first time, employees will be awarded

"resident" graduate credits for courses taken at the Center.

--more--
Add 1
MSC 65-54

Ail courses will be taught in conference rooms at Manned

Spacecraft Center in early morning and late afternoon hours.

As an aid to orderly planning of graduate study for MSC em-

ployees, Dr. Lawrence R. Daniel, head of the Mechanical Engineering

Department at Louisiana State University, counsels three times a

year with employees.

The MSC Graduate Study Program began in 1962 with 162 employees

enrolled in graduate courses, growing to 328 in 1963 and 567 in

1964. Through the program, seven MSC employees have earned master's

degrees. By the end of the current academic year, required graduate

work will be completed by 25 master's candidates and six doctoral

_nd_dates.

Substantial enrollment growth is expected with the establishment

of the University of Houston Graduate Education Center at the NASA

Manned Spacecraft Center.

The Training Section of the MSC Personnel Division administers

the MSC Graduate Study Program with guidance from the Graduate Study

Steering Committee headed by Paul E. Purser, special assistant to

Dr. Gilruth.

HI;Il
 _/_ _ _ ,_ _ _? _ ...... _i_i_
¸
NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADM N!STRATION

MANNEDSPACECRAFT _.df;;_]Houston

Hunter 3-4231 MSC 65-55

C. W. MATHEWS' NOTES FOR PRESS BRIEFING

PREFLIGHT ACTIVITIES

Count initiated at 2:00 a.m. EST and proceeded ahead of schedule

until hold was called. A nut seal on oxidizer discharge pressure

transducer in the launch vehicle leaked slightly. Nut was backed off

and retorqued to specification value and leak stopped. Hold called

at T-35 for 24 minutes to observe and insure no leak.

No spacecraft problems during count. No Control Center or net-

work problems. Crews ingressed 20 minutes ahead of schedule.

No problems in ingress procedures. Communications were good,

and crew was aware of status at all times. Crew had some discomfort

during waiting period but no noticeable pressure points. Only new

event was noise and vibration when fuel prevalves were opened.

POWERED FLIGHT

Lift off at 7:24 am EST. Crew could hear engines start but

actual lift off undetec_ale (called out by cap com, also event timer

start is cue).

--more--
Add i
MSC 65-55

Pad damage minimal and less than on GT-2.

Shortly after lift off crew could see motion against sky back-

ground (including initiation of pitch and roll programs). High engine

performance (thrust) resulted in slightly lofted Stage I trajectory

but never out of bounds.

Stage I flight very smooth with little vibration and lower noise

levels than expected. POGO oscillation hardly detectable. Staging

was readily detectable by noise change, abrupt but smooth acceleration

reduction and a momentary flash of flame around spacecraft as a result

of "fire in hole" engine start.

At initiation of radio guidance, vehicle pitched down rapidly to

point nose slightly below horizon and then nose gradually rose to

slightly above level attitude.

Stage II flight also smooth, but slight throbbing noise apparent.

Backup guidance system showed moderate pitch error during last half

of Stage II flight but would have given satisfactory orbit.

Insertion conditions accurately achieved. Velocity was about

12 mph low. Lowest altitude of orbit (Perigee) was correct (t00

miles); highest altitude of orbit was 140 miles.

ORBIT

SECO readily apparent from loss in thrust and entry into weight-

less flight. Crew at no time experienced any disorientation, nausea

Add 5
MSC 65-55

The command pilot had been instructed to fly a fixed bank angle

during reentry. This bank angle would have been correct to achieve the

desired landing point had the expected spacecraft lift been obtained

based on both GT-2 and wind tunnel results.

Actually significant lift was obtained because the peak accelera-

tion encountered was 4g as compared to 8g if the lift was zero. Never-

theless, the lift was only two-thirds that expected

and the spacecraft landed about 60 miles short. The onboard guidance

system did pick up the discrepant condition throughout the reentry,

and if its display had been used early in the reentry, the landing

desired point would have been more closely achieved.

The command pilot, however, did as he was instructed and held

the fixed bank angle. At the same time he did believe the display

and late in the reentry did roll to full lift. It was too late to

correct the error and he then informed the ground that he was land-

ing short.

Now that the onboard reentry guidance has been verified and the

lift capability of the spacecraft is more precisely known no future

problems are anticipated and no spacecraft modifications are envisioned.

The landing system operated precisely as planned. There was a

surprise in that when the spacecraft went from a heat shield down

--more--
Add 6
MSC 65-55

position to its landing attitude while on the parachute the sudden ro-

tation caused both crewmen to bump their visors against the spacecraft

windows. Because the acceleration on the pilots heads in this maneu-

ver is about that experienced in aircraft carrier landings it is felt

that the crew could handle the condition if they are prepared. Tests

are underway to confirm this assumption. The actual landing in the

water was relatively soft and there was no evidence of spacecraft

leaks.

RECOVERY

The crew became quite warm while waiting on the water and ul-

timately doffed their pressure suits. Both encountered conditions

of sea sickness -- one to a somewhat less extent than the other.

The aircraft carrier in the prime landing area tracked the

spacecraft during the final stages of the flight and knew rather

precisely the landing location prior to the actual landing. It dis-

patched its helicopters the same minute that the spacecraft touched

down.

Several recovery aircraft obtained voice communications with

or DF fixes on the spacecraft prior to landing. The DF fix was re-

ported one minute after landing. An aircraft was "on top" 13 minutes

after landing and immediately proceeded with deployment of its para-

rescue team.
--more--
Add 7
MSC 65-55

Twenty-five minutes after landing the prime recovery helicopter

arrived on scene. It dispatched its swimmers who attached a flota-

tion collar to the spacecraft. Fifty minutes after landing the trasn-

fer of the flight crew to the helicopter was commenced and about 20

minutes later they were on the carrier deck.

The aircraft carrier proceeded to the spacecraft, had a line at-

tached slightly over an hour and one half after the landing and the

spacecraft was on deck about 10 minutes later.

NAFIONAL AERONAUTICS
,4 :::Il
AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION
-
MANNED
SPACECRAFT ,.-Uouson
CENTFRI, iexc ls

HUnter 3-4231 MSC 65-56

May 3, 1965

PRESS BRiEPING - C_ W. M_TH_qS

I guess we'll hit GT-3 first. I don't have any real surprises
for you. I thought that ICd just phase on to the mission and indicate
the various things that happened during the mission and what our eval-
uanion of these happenings are. As far as preflight activities are
concerned, we initiated the count at 2:00, as you know, and we actually
were running ahead of the count, both on the launch vehicle and the
spacecraft. Most of this count was running about 20 to 30 minutes
ahead of time, and we will do some modifications to the count on 4,
to take advantage of our expe;:[ence here, that indicates here that
-on can probably shorten a few things tip, As a result of this being
_h_ad of the count, we actually put the crew on board early, abaut
20 minutes early, and this did not seem to produce any really detri-
mental effects. I think both the crew felt a little uncomfortable,
sitting there, but, in talking to them about it, they didn't seem
50 have any pressure point problems, or anything like that. This is
more or less just being generally a little bit cramped, having, I
guess, spent over two and a half hours in the spacecraft before lift-
off. And they also felt that there was nothing that occurred at that
time, in the way of tiredness or anything else, that affected their
Ferformance at all, during the mission.

The spacecraft_ of course_ had essentially no problems during

the count. The launch vehicle did have one problem, which was a
leak in an oxidizer discharge pressure transducer seal. This was
fixed simply by backing off the nut on this seal and then going
back to the spec torque, and the leak stopped. Actually that was
done while the count was in progress, but it was decided to call a
hc!d at T-35, so that there could be additional time for observing
_his, to make sure the leak was indeed stopped.

Communications were very good_ according to the crew, at this

tJme_ They were aware of the status at all times, and the only event
_hat occurred that they hadn't really experienced before in the simu-
lations was the noise and some of the vibrations when the fuel pre-
valves were opened - the gush of fuel down into the engine compartment
 -2-

essentially does create some noise and vibration. They had been
briefed on that, so they knew what it was.

So_ the lift-off occurred at 9_24 and, although the crew could
hear the engines start all right, they had essentially no idea of
when the lift-off actually occurred, lift-off being very smooth°
of course, the lift-off is called out by the CapCom and also the
event timer in the spacecraft starts° Se both of these things
were called out and they were aware of lift-off from these sources°
But it is an interesting fact that they couldn't determine the exact
lift-off point. Of course, we do want to make sure they are adequately
informed of this, in that one of the more critical abort situations
does occur right at that time.

As far as pad damage is concerned, it was very minimal, and

actually less than on GT-2_ which we thought was very good° We
were able to again turn this pad a_ound pretty rapidly_

Just a few seconds after lift-off_ however, they could see

the motion of the vehicle as it rose° As I recall there was essen-
tially no clouds in the sky but apparently there was enough granu-
larity in the sky so they can actually detect motion_ And_ of
course, you can generally see this in movies, too. And they could,
in fact, out the window see the roll program on the vehicle initiate,
and the pitch program initiate_

The only thing slightly off nominal in first-stage flight was

again these engines on the launch vehicle operated hotter than nor-
mal. By hotter, i mean there was more perf©_mance than we normally
had expected them to - and this, in com_ination with the normal
pitch program _ we actually went 5o s higher altitude before we
staged than we had expected too Cl_r trajectory was never out of
bounds but it was higher - generally higher _ than normal. This
has been a consistant situation on all the Gemini flights_ indi-
cating that the engine model that we're using is not adequate for
the Gemini engines and it is being zevised and also a alight re-
vision to the pitch program to account for these hotter than nominal
engines. Again, when I say hotter I'm not talking about temperature°
This will actually give us some increased payload_ because when we
go into a lofted trajectory, we actually _ it's a less efficient
trajectory.

The stage one flight was very smooth_ The crew actually noticed
very little vibration and the noise levels were actually lower than
they had expected them to bee We had had various simulations, for
example the launch simulations for abort studies that were made up
 -3-

at Ling-Temco-Vought, it turns out the noise simulation there was

considerably - the noise level there was considerably higher than
they experienced in flight.

Staging was, of course, readily detectable, noise change, but

smooth - reduction in acceleration from the order of magnitude of
5 to 6 g down to less than one g. There was a momentary flash of
flame around the spacecraft, which is a result of the light-off of
the second stage engine, which is a "fire-in-the-hole" light-off -
that is, the engine is lit-off while it is still attached to the
first stage and the baffling effect of the first stage and the low
pressure at this altitude is such as to cause the whole vehicle to
momentarily get enveloped in the flame.

Question: Did it blow back, Chuck?

Yes. We had already taken movies of Titan II operations in

flight and had - were aware of this effect and they had been, again,
briefed on this so that they didn't regard it as anything unusual.

Then being in this relatively high trajectory, at the initiation

of the radio guidance during tke first stage_ we're just on a pro-
gramed flight. The radio guidance then takes over and steers out
any errors and it made a smooth, rapid pitch-down to where the nose
of the vehicle was actually pointed below the horizon and then grad-
ually came up to about on the horizon° The vehicle essentially just
rested that way for the entire second stage. In other words, the
trajectory was flown on the first stage resulted in essentially very
little maneuvering, other than this initial pitch-down of the vehicle
during second stage flight. It stayed in essentially a level attitude.
As far as stage two flight is concerned_ there was a little bit more
of a throbbing noise apparent, possibly because it's just a single
engine operation.

The back-up guidance system did show some moderate errors during
the last half of the second stage flight. This has been established
as the result of a gyro-drift problem - the magnitude of the errors
actuallyZwould have given us a satisfactory orbit had we switched
over on to the back-up guidance system. Of course, that wasn't
necessary on this flight, and, in fact, the insertion conditions
were accurately achieved - the velocity was about 12 miles an hour
ow - and I think you know the figures the lowest altitude of the
orbit was about 100 miles high - statute miles - and the highest
altitude of the orbit was about 140 statute miles high.
 --4--

Again the cut-off of the second stage of SECO was readily apparent
from the loss of thrust and the entry into weightless flight. I should
point out here that at no time during the flight did the crew experience
any abnormal physiological conditions there was no disorientation,
nor nausea, nor any similar effects. We haven't experienced that sort
of thing in our flights to date and, on a three-orbit mission, we
hadn't expected Goexperience it.

The Command Pilot then took over control of the spacecraft at

SECO and oriented the spacecraft for a short separation burn of about
ten feet a second. He not only does that but, of course, he - the
spacecraft enters orbit on its side and then he rolls about 90 degrees
at that time and he had no trouble making the roll. And actually holding
the attitude for this insertion burn and got the correct velocity in-
crement.

Then the crew started going through the insertion checklist and
I guess the only comment here is that they were busy - busier than we
thought they were going to be - that is, it took them a bit longer
to go through everything we wanted done at that time - that we had
allocated to them. But they just took longer. However, just after
leaving the Canary Islands, this dc converter exhibited intermittent
operation. Actually, it had shown some intermittency for a period of
about 12 minutes before the more-or-less permanent failure occurred°
What happened here is that,s substantial number of the crew's cockpit
displays did go out at that time. This type of thing had been simu-
lated on the mission simulator and it does give you an idea of what
the human crew does for a flight, because you could look at one instru-
ment and you would wonder what the trouble was. But by knowing that
this combination of instruments has gone out, they were able to
diagnose rapidly that it was, in fact, the dc converter, and they
simply switched the back-up one on the line and got their displays
back and proceeded throughout the rest of the flight on that basis.
Actually, what the failure analysis shows on that converter - of
course, it's also nice to get these things back and this is in the
reentry module - it proved that a nut that was holding a filter
down backed out and was floating around in the converter and shorted
out some lines. The problem here is really a faulty application of
the locking device that was used and a new locking device has been
incorporated in all of the converters that we're now flying.

Also during the first orbit, the Command Pilot noticed this slight
tendency to yaw to the left - or to continually swing if he didn't
control it. Actually, this is a very slight tendency but if you let
it go awhile it could build up where it was reasonably noticeable
 -5-

and really was primarily a nuisance factor. However, the question

immediately arose as to whether we had some leaky propellant out of
one of the thrusters° This proved not to be the case; looking at the
fuel utilization around the first orbit, we established that there
was no unusual amount of fuel being utilized other than what we had
expected° Se we had a fairly high degree of confidence that it
wasn't a propellant leak_ At tkat time we began thinking that this
water boiler, or this launch cooler0 that is used in the initial phase
of our orbital operation, might be producing the thrust and that in the
process of boiling this waters it dumps it overboard and actually the
direction of the dump would produce this yaw left tendency_ Subse_
quently, in the postiaunch thing, we correlated this very well, both
in terms of the magnitude of the thrast produced and the times at
which this was apparent, with the dumping of this water° So the
fix on that, again is fairly straightforward. It's just a matter of
putting some diverters on the outlets and guidemains so that we
actually dump it so that its line of action, cr thrust, goes through
the c°g_ and we don't get a rotation out of it.

Over the Indian Ocesn_ the crew switched this cooling system
over to the space radiators. What we do is we take off and initially
we boil water for cooling° We wait for the space radiator to cool
down and then switch over tc it. This m_ans we don_t have to carry
beaucoups amount of water on the flight_ The space radiator worked
exceedingly well. The environmental control was good throughout the
flight - the crew was comfortable at all times_ although they did
comment that they nctice_ some tendency for heat to build up during
very active periods° However, this is _ I don't regard this as
unusual because any time you're active you usually - there is some
tendency for heat to build up here on the ground, even if you're in
a very comfortable room° Of course, ss soon as they stopped, they
immediately became cool again.

i emphasize the environmental control becauses on Mercury, as you

know, we did have various troubles, particularly on the first orbit,
in getting things all set up. tt looks like we don't have that kind
of trouble with this spacecraft, and this is the first time we have
had to find out° It looks like we learned some things from Mercury.
The control system, itself, the crews were very high in the praise
of it_ This is the hand controller and the autepilot - and the
thruster part of it. Every medes they liked very well. They liked
certain modes for certain purposes - the pulse mode for tracking and
the rate command mode was the _ obviously the easiest one to fly, etco
But they thought they had very good flying qualities throughout. The
mission simulator had almost exactly duplicated the characteristics
that they experienced in flight°
 -6-

Then, at the end of the first orbit, the pilot, of course, did
;make this Texas burn maneuver. This was accomplished quite accurately,
in that the resulting orbit- we essentially circularized the orbit -
was within two miles of the orbit that we had planned before the flight.
And I might point out that, because the initial orbit was slightly
different than we had planned, the actual adjustment tkat was made was
different than the nominal value°

Then, during the second orbit, the Command Pilot did notice some
discrepancies between his cockpit display of attitude and what he
was seeing outside the window. You know, he has this eight-ball -
which essentially gives him roll, pitch, and yaw attitudes and a number
of other functions. And, particularly in relY, he noticed the ten-
dency of the eight-ball to slowly drift with respect to the korizeno
It turns out that this problem is a procedural one. Early in the first
orbit, he went into a mode in which he alined his inertial p!atfcrmo
And it turned out that we did not give him enough time in his preflight
briefing to get the yaw axis of this platform perfectly alined_ The
way it works is that the - I don't know how much detail i should get
nto here - but, essentially the horizon sensors sense pitch and roll
attitude and this is what enables you to level the platform in pitch
and roll and then you aline it in yaw after you've got the pitch and
roll all lined up, by sensing whether there's any rate of going around
the earth. If there's a component of that in roll_ then you know
you:re not in line properly, because it should only be in pitch. I
don't know whether you can follow that or not. Anyway, it does take
a longer time to aline it in yaw and we've subsequently got back and
looked at the alinement procedure and realized that wa did not give
him enough time. I might mention that we, just to check out this mode,
deliberately created some rather large errors. We ha_ a maneuver cff,
andthen caged the platform, and then uncaged it and let everything go
to work. Even in the process, when he had it caged, he rolled further
than he planned to by someshing like 7 degrees, because the eight-ball
no longer was serving as a reference to him_ it was locked up at that
time_ So he started out with bigger errors than he thought. So it:s
just a matter of saying that we're going to have to give him, instead
of about five minutes' time, about ten minute_' tizae to get this aline-
ment. And the reason that it drifted in roll, and again this may be
a little hard to follow, but as you go 90 degrees around the earth,
and you're torqueing the platform a% orbit rate, the yaw error becomes
a roll error. You'll have to prcbmb!y do a little thinking about that,
_t that's why he saw this thing gradually drifting around in roll_
 -7-

Question: What reference does he use for yaw in this alinement?

Actually, you see up here - if you're going around the orbit, if

you've got it lined up in pitch and roll, then you"re going around the
orbit, of course, making one revolution per hour and a half of your
spacecraft, as compared to an inertialiy stabilized spacecraft. Now, if
he's off in yaw, then you see a roll rate as a component of that_
For instance, if you're pointing off the orbit like this, it's not a
pure pitch rate - it's partly a roll rate: So you sense that_ and
then you say, "Well, I've got so much roll rate_ due to this orbit
rate. I'll swing and kill it off. And you keep alining the platform
until you've killed it off and you have just a pure pitch rafe_ you
see.

Then, let's see. Also during the second orbit, Young dld eval-
uate the food and waste management aspects of the spacecraft, i guess,
to sum that up, you'd say that, "Yes, the operations are somewhat
more cumbersome than they are here on earth in your own bathroom or
your own kitchen." But they were felt to be adequase for the sub-
sequent flights. Really, the most difficult part about it is the
fact that the food and certain other things require certain packaging
and unpackaging and repackaging, etc., and_ with the pressure sult
on, this is not quite as convenient as in, as I said, your own kit-
chen. We did find that we again didn't give them enough time: This,
unfortunately, with a three orbit flight - it is true that there's a
lot of things to do and you rush the fellow along pretty well and
he didn't have really enough time to make as complete an evaluation
as he would like to make_ I think, however_ there's no _ndication
that we have any problems here°

Near the end of the second orbit_ there was a break in tPe clouds_
As you know, the land areas, particularly associated with the - well,
pretty much all of the land areas around the world were cloud-covered
that day - but there was a break as he come up on the west coast of
the United States and they did acquire a small town - Mexlcali - in
Mexico, and tracked it and took some pictures of it. They did get
some excellent color photographs of that general area_ i don_t know
if these

The final orbit, of course, was mostly occupied w_th the systems
checks that we do in preparation for retrofire° We look at the various
modes of the ECS system, for example, and ultimately go through our
complete retrofire checklist_ Of course, i forgot to mention that on,
and you're aware of it_ that we did make some out of plane burns over
the Indian Ocean on the second orbit. Agaln these were accurately -
and the postlaunch analysis shows that tMese were actually accurately
 -8-

made down to the exact mile an hour. But the last thrusting maneuver
was this larger maneuver of the order of magnitude of about 70 miles an
hour. And this was the maneuver that put the spacecraft on a gradually
reentering trajectory° People quoted a perigee altitude of 45 nautical
miles - I forget what that is in statute miles a little bit more
than that. But it did put it on this gradually reentering trajectory_
in other words we quote a perigee there, but really the atmosphere
will catch the spacecraft there end bring it on in under those conditicnso
You did reduce the speed about 68 miles an hour at this time, which was
within about 2 miles an hour of the desired value° This is the man-
euver, though, that you desire to do rather accurately because there
is a rather high sensitivity to the magnitude of this velocity to
the touchdown air. And he was actually somewhat high cn this velocity_
which contributed to the requirement to stretch the glide sc-to-speak_
Similarly on the actual retrofire, the velocity was two cr three miles
an hour slow and this added further to the requirements to stretch
the glide a little bit. During the actual retrofire operation, the
Command Pilot was able to hold the spacecraft within just a few degrees -
_'m quoting here the actual measured values and not his opinion - but
_t does show that he was able to control the retrothrust quite accu-
rately. And during the actual reentry, the Command Pilot, of course_
was flying under essentially a manual mode, a direct mode where his
control stick was directly providing the thruster firings. And, as
you know, we had him set up a particular bank angle to fly during the
atmospheric part of the reentry. And the results in these show that
his average excursion from that bank angle was only about 3 degrees.
The spacecraft was very stable, just like GT-2 was_ He had to spend
very little time damping any oscillations. I think he only provided
control of that type four or five times during the reentry_ each time
they would allow the oscillation to build up to nine degrees a second
and he would just hit the controls very briefly with the properly
phased thrust and immediately go on back down again.

As I said, the pilot had been instructed to fly fixed bank ang]eo
This bank angle that was given him would have been the correct bank
angle if the spacecraft had achieved the lift that we had expected
out of it. That lift that we had expected was based both on our eT--2
results, as well as on wind tunnel results, the wind tunnel results
correlating very well with the GT-2 data_ Actually_ we did get
very significant lift out of this spacecraft. As I indicated the retro-
fire operations put a requirement for an increased glide on the space--
raft. We certainly made up that discrepancy and more, but more signi-
ficantly the acceleration that was felt on the crew during reentry was
only about four g, whereas if we came in at zero lift it would have
been about eight g. Nevertheless, this lift was only about 2/3 of
what we had expected it to be. And as a result of that the spacecraft
 --9--

did land about 60 miles short. The onbcard guidance system did pick up
this discrepant condition throughout the reentry, and if its display
had been used earlier in the reentry_ the desired landing point weuid
have been more closely achieved. We still wouldn't have made it but
it would have been considerably lower in error. The Cc r_mand Piiot_ how-
ever, did aa he was told_ and he held the fixed bank angle. ! might
just point out why we did that. _h_._ ,.s
_ the first tzme
' we had ever
reentered under automatic ..... ' "_ m._.:_ De m_.e de£irable
to set this thing up as _.og-_i__d ........y_nd *_ [::[me-=' _ w
needles and see whether __h_y_- were · _--* n .
op__ _l_.g rzght. He'll-var apparently
tile Command Pl_ot'' Gus - did have .._nf,_cl
......
e in what- c-l._-dlspiays were
telling him_ because ultimately he did w--13 eu __ and ar_tempt to strench
his glide; unfortunate!y_ that was too '-ate. .,_ did_ of _,-._=_,'- ¢_,m_'_
on back in at that time with _he_. indication uhat _'_.was is.qding she.rt_
while he was s=_ll Iazzzy high ='+_r ,s-

Now that we_ve verified, this onboard guidance sy_-tem end we know
what _h.. lift capability of the spacecraft is under these particular
conditions and i might mention t_.e_'rea_-on for r.he dl =_,._.n(_ between
GT-2 and GT-3. as fsi- as lif_z capablkit%es are concerned - aerodynamics
are frequently greatly affect_sd by the path you Jre flying thr©u_h the
atmosphere if you fly high a _·- a so-called t', v__-' _eynolds number, you
may have one set cf aerodynamics add if yo_ fly l.c,:er altitude at. a
higher Reynolds number_, you may have anc,5hez s_-t of aezodynamics. This
zs a parameter that is always _-' _? oe£ore '..':Du
....an}- aerodpnamic
testing · However, testing at these ....... _ - high roach numbers
_x,_._=m_l_% on the
order of 20 _s more d .... cu_t and more dJffichit to obtain t'hs
amount_ of data +'h-e you normally _ .... s,a}', ...... 9
ur.-r_on_ _irplans. Sc, for ouz :l,.__,_. orbital ieentry '" '-'
c,._nd_t._.L_'-
the flight data has given b:_ the '-'--.*
......... '._' *'' ''' have
what the actual aerodynamics .ese or-d now t?_at We '_n<;v:them we dcn_t
anticipate having an_ moYe problems ?he foDt_r;_nt wa feel i_ still
big enough to take care c;f cur _-_-Yo"_ ,, , ~
getting m prec.zse infozm-at, tcn -m ' _ t'he, sa

The '- -',p_.,:t,:!d vr:,'i.:=]v as clar, r,ed [le:e wes

.u_p
:_ :" '' <- _
there_ wh.:cb_ y,2,13,,_
' '' ·heel'd al'¢,_?.._ '_?,or_! ...... ] ,: 'N_i _ _ --
tlor_ce]

coming dawn with *-'he l.lcnt heat _',:-_-','_

.... _ I%,,-
.... r':'i_ OO'_:
' ac:.i T.n:?n t'3 get t,L
our land{n._
_ g attitude cn the ..,p_
ac._o _.a*:-_we f"'D.__the soscecraft. ,- '9_
about 45 degrees or 55 degree_, and dh_inq :- -_-- - r_
a bit su_p_ed at the lark tl'l-_t_-v,_.
,_z pot when..... r}'_R hapl_-r'ado_
...... Th----:_._
heads actually went forward and .....
bl;Diced _ e wirdshield ._rea rather
nard We looked at _r;e 3 _. __..t:s ani tN'_ a;'c:c_rs_[,:.n;s on tide
y ....
.t: he;ads are nc' _..at
'__*- _ · hhaL ,,'ehad zn ar:y cf cur d_sp ce-ts,
We had -"'-
in .... 5}0 te 60 d__p
*-_ ....
_.> *- about : '_ '"
2 re _._, _' g,, And this is
 -10-

the carrier landings, something like this. So that, although we_ve

got tests under way to verify this, we think, if they're prepared,
they can cope with the problem. We are actually running some of
these inversion tests on a spacecraft presently and one of the pro-
blems we run into is the usual thing of trying to really simulate
that good because the flexibility of the parachute risers, etc_,
have to be simulated fairly well on the g_ound_
_ tests where we're
hanging a spacecraft up from the rafters and we don t have the
complete answers on this yet_

The actual landing on the water was relatively soft_ There

was no evidence of any leaks in the spacecraft_ _....
D___g recovery
the crew became quite warm as we had expected %_iie waitlng on the
water. We normally would have had them doff their si:ts a lot
earlier than they did° They did wait a __ons
' .....
_ rab_'= length of time
before they took their suits off, and they ultimately i_d_ __t by
that time they were pretty warm_ Of course, both of them encountered
seasickness to some degree - one somewhat more than the other:

As far as the recovery is concerned, it was a very straightforward

recovery operation. I'll go into that in a little detail becaese
perhaps some confusion exists on this. Aetuai!y_ in the first place,
the aircraft carrier in the prime recovery area tracked the space-
craft pretty well all the way in_ In other words, net only during
the high altitude part_ but down to eartk_ !'he radar s eievatlon
angle went to zero, so it knew exactly where the spacecraft was,
relative to the location of the carrier. And _ust abeat the time
it lost track, then it i_ediateiy dispatched the
_' .....
...... op_. rs. ?hat
happened to be the same minute the he_._ap s were airborne _
same minute the spacecraft touched down and sent _e
_: .m downrange
to the - I'm sorry - uprange to the ioca_cn _v_ knew _-_
_ spa_e_a_t
to be. Several recovery aircraft had communications before %ko
spacecraft had even landed - one was ill VOiCe 'PomIranacat£on and
another was receiving DP f_xesUKF-DP
on t_ e spacecraft : Se-Total
other_ .......
immediately after also landing
bad +_-_ =_ rlxes
_ Actdaily the
DF fixes on the aircraft were first reported only one mlnute after
_he spacecraft bad landed, There was an aircraft e_er t_e top about
13 minutes after the landing and they _mm_.,d_a .....
_ p _c,...d.d with the
deployment of their pararescue men. Then 25 m=n.:_s_.,
_ after the land!ng
the prime recovery helicopter got there - the one d_spatched from the
carrier, it put its swimmers in the water to attach the us,la! flo-
tation collar on the spa_ec_af._o _h=n 50 mmnt_tes after landing Ehe
transfer of the crew up to the hel_copt._
: e _ rock p!ace: And 20 minutes
after that, they were on the carrier deck_ So it was about an hour
and ten minutes between the time that they landed and the time fha%
they were on the deck of the carrlero Of _o__s.._
e the carrier then
 -11-

proceeded to the spacecraft - it was chugging up there all the while -

and it had a line attached to the spacecraft in about an hour and a
half after the landing and it was on deck about ten minutes later.

Looking at the recovered spacecraft, it really looks very good_

There was nothing that came out of the postflight inspection that
was unusual. The external surfaces of the spacecraft are quite clean
and no great evidence of - no unusual evidence of high temperature
no particular hot spots. The heat shield has a much whiter appearance
than on GT-2, and this is primarily related to the dzfferent ablation
process that occurs during this kind of reentry - wzich more heat is
put in but at a slower rate than in the GT-2 reentry wP_ick was a much
steeper one° In GT-2 there was more external evidence of charring and
I'll say we have a very considerable margin In this heat shield.

Question: What kind of temperatures are you talking about. Chuck?

well, it depends on what you're talking about but the temperatures,

say, in the back end of the heat shield are only abo_t 200 to 300
degrees. That's the one that's most szgnificanto

Question: The outer edge?

This is at the bondline structure between the structural boney-

comb and the heat protection material_ itself. Se there's _Tery little
temperature that soaked through at ai]_

As far as experiments are concerned_ two of thee were successful,

and one of them wasn't_ The sea urchin egg experiment we weren't
able to produce on that one. largely heea_]se of a fa_.iuse of the
handle that activated %he experiment. As a resul% of th!s thmng
we're taking a much harder look a5 o_.r sabsequent experiments to make
sure that they are satisfactory for the experiment's own sake. in
a program like this. we have paid a lot of attention to make s_re that
these are satisfactory from a flig!lt safety standpoin%: We will put
more emphasis on making sure that they really werk_

Haney: in this one i think }t_s wostn making the poznt that
Grissom is not just a Charles At!as_ A guy broke a slm]iar piece of
equipment on the ground at the gape with one twlst, se it really
was the equipment, huh?

That's right. On experiments_ naturally_ we bare a large class

of people working on thzs al! the way from scientists down to even
non-scientific people but many of them don_5, of 2ourse, know all
the things that are done in terms of qualif!eation_ Wa have worked
 -12-

very hard with them on this; but, at the same time, it's something
that sort of has to grow a little bit with the program.

The other two experzmen_s worked oun well, I guess. This blood
cell experiment - well to the extent that tt_ey got a negative result -
that is they did not find any unusual aberrations associated with
the space environment or the sub]ectlng of the white blood cells to
the space environment and radiafmon at tke same tmme. As you know,
they were running a base-llne case here on the g_ound at the same time,
tzmed rmght along with the one going on in fi_ght and there was no
significant difference in these aberrations, As far as the reentry
communications experiment is concerned, Z personally _aven:t heard
all the data but they dzd have data from three of the d3wnraage
stations, all of which correlated the fact that there was considerable
improvement - well, in some cases, it was a case where tl?ey were getting
no indications of a carrier at all without the water injection and with
the water lnjectzon, mn ali cases_ there was either considerable im-
provement, or a case of golng from a non-communicatzng conditzon to
a communicating condition. So it appears t_,an_ for future space
programs, I don't know that we'll really do anything with it in
Gemini or not_ but in future space programs where you want to have
communications throughout the blackout perio_ this is a good possi-
bilityo

Question: Chuck, you don_t intend to repeat i5 on any of tbe Gemini

flights?

Answer: Not at the p_e_ent time,Warren r trunk that's all i bave_

Paul.

Haney: Any questions oD 37'

Questzon: Will you use this onhoard guidan<:e system for tbs next
flight?

Answer: Yes, we plan to - Z'i! expla:.n tha_: a i_%tie bzt_ We'll

always call up a backup bank angle, simply because if, for some
reason or another, the piatform¢ or something like %hat, obvmousiy
is not working, then you want to have mnforr_:an:on on whzch to come
on in. And, of course, under those cond!%ions yo:: would have a
somewhat greater dispersed trajec%ory_ hu%_ _z t.ne guidance system
is indicated to be operating properly we w:l] dss :.t.

Question: In Washington last week_ Dr. _:;,_ie_ added another element

to this undershoot. He said that they bega:_ by tak;ug out the cross-
range errors, with the idea of taking t._e _cw_cange errors out iater_
but by the time they goL around to nakli_g the downwainge errors out,
 -13-

they ran out of lift, and therefore couldn't do anything about that°
Could you explain that a little more?

Answer: I think what happened there was the crossrange error did
come out first - in fact, the crossrange error was practically zero;
in terms of where he landed, the crossrange error was zero. The
bank angle he flew was intended to take out the cross and downrange
errors more or less simultaneously but, with the lower amount of
lift he should have been flying at a steeper bank angle which would
have traded off the downrange and crossrange better for the actual
case. And this is why he got the crossrange out before he got the
downrange out.

Question: Then an attempt was made to take them both out at the
same time?

Answer: They would have gone out at the same time on this flight
if the lift had been proper.

Question: Chuck, what does this cut your footprint or control area
down to?

Answer: It cuts it about in half, Warren, but it still is several

hundred miles, so that's quite a bit of maneuvering.

Question: About how many, can you give a rough figure on how many
cross and down you will have now?

Answer: The length of the footprint is about, under the present

conditions, is about 200 miles and the crossrange area is about
17 miles.

Question: On either side of the target?

Answer: Yes. Now actually we could up it about any time we felt

like it by just reballasting the spacecraft to go to a higher angle
of attack. We don't think that's necessary at the present time.
We're still looking into it.

Question: 200 miles total length would that be, Chuck? Or 200
either way?

Answer: 200 miles total the 17 is plus or minus_

Question: On this hot engine - do you plan to make any changes in

the engine itself_ or just in the pitch angle?
 -14-

Answer: No. We don't have any objections to the engzne havzng a

higher specific impulse and higher thrust. It gives us better per-
formance actually. It's just a matter of accounting for the fact
that it's the condition that exists_

Question: What will you do to offset this? Can yo_ descrzbe that
again?

Answer: In the first place, you use an analytdcal model of the

engine in figurmng out which tra3ectory you flyo So you first set
up this analytical model tham represents your engine and_ as I say,
this is adjusted to now represent the Geminz engines better, based
on our experience. And the ultimate result is that we pmtch the -
because it operates with higher thrust_ you pitch mt over a little
faster and you really end up flymng the same trajectory as you had
intended to if you were operatlng at lower thrust.

Question: Because of this, you can carry a little more payload?

Answer: That's correct_

Question: What wzll that translate into - 50 or 100 pounds before

you start getting a mass problem?

Answer: Actually, there ms no structural problem there at all,

Warren. We could go up to a lot higher thrusu - bat it, should
amount to 100 pounds a payload_ somethzng like that.

Question: Chuck_ what did you say yoa have to go t_rougk to pre-
pare the crew so that their heads wouldn't snap forward upon landing
as they did on this flight?

Answer: Our present thznking zs that it was primarily just the

surprise element° we had not briefed %hem that this was going to
be so severe. We looked at thLs and sa!d 2-i/_ g and thzs isn't
too unusual. Obvlously_ for example when a fellow is making a
carrier approach and hooks the arrestzng system witb k_s airplane,
he's aware that he's going to stop fazrly shortly. And this was
not the case. We think that probably j_st teiiing them about it
and the knowledge of this is good enough _ut this is yet to be
proved, as I point out here. There are other things we can do,
if we have to, which wo_ld I mean rather than 3ust use a simple
disconnect and going through this bridal condition in a nylon
strap - put some shock absorbers in it_ or something like this.
But we don't think we have to do that at the moment.

Haney: You want to say a word on GP-4, chuck?

 -15-

Well, GT-4 is still going along very well. ! don't have too
much to say about it. We really haven't run into anythlng worth
talking about. We went into lo!nt combined systems test wlth the
launch vehicle in the _- _- we_ Next major operation we have
of course, is %he wet mock s_m_lat,ed fiigh2 w,_ ha,,e G__-
x '_ testing.
etc., to de in between those _....
s,.s "_
r , k,_. we 'ge m_
...._.g
n along in _.he
planned program and nothing has come .:p t-_ t:.,'-_aze fro_ o,_r plans,
i think you can see here that we _eaiiy }a',.en r tome up with any-
thing on GT-3 that imparts stro!g!y o{_ :?"-4o

Question: When is the wet mock:

Answer: !t'il be around th? mlddie of this .mo-Mi

Question: How are .........

_e ->_-'k s with +_= Mlsslol
........... Coct:'ol _"+_ _ere

coming azong. _ Dr Moeiier _s- _ _ last v -'-=_ _--

you're not quite ready yet a?d t_at tk::s as go< _q to be - that
launch date will depend a io+ o_ how yo_ com_ alotg with the
Mission Control Center i_ere

Answer: The last tzme _ talked to lhrzs he t-_d:ca_ed --_twas coming

along per plan_ ihe kartware part of _t :'as skaped up ,_ery well,
and it's really the software wh_ch 'fo_ arc: do].ng more or less
continuous checking oR al_' the way - _}_,:
__ --_ _? u new
.... and in which
something cocid come o_l_ of t_e wools en ,?o,2 }_._l aoshlng ilke
that's happened, frs _o .....
. along _ a:_ordanze with the plan.

Haney: I believe t,:'ey ?:a"-_ Pad Tlat sim ..a-_or prDgram r.._aning:

Question: That s co!r_ st

Haney: Which -_as the big wcrry {-key act _aliy r_ied the 2ape szmu-
lator In very s ,....es.::
.... _: _-v
' . aklr] wli..k b = a£:_s to pa ......
-t - -- pa_e,
, then,
in all the prelaunch sims:

Question: They have b_en us/to, _-__:

Haney: Yes_ it tested out weii_

Question: Will you keep a c,ont_oi capab._2 ·-_, at the _ap_ o?. standby
for the first orb!t or so?

Answer: Theze w_i- b_ a airn? soxtN,-21 capab_.ilty at the Cape and

in addition to th:s, %h6 %oddar_ computers wi.il be programed, and on
standby, for erbitai '_'.a'_+o
_'¥,
.... _ operations. S:_'r.here ii be a
reasonable capabil'_v ba:l:<!nc :p _R_ _:, _ .....
 -16-

Question: Chuck, you will have the crew in tempo there, too?

Answer: There'll be a crew there because it is a normal network

station. Of course, it's an a_gmented crew for launch, anyway.
But we are really to that primarily as a launch backup_ The
Goddard thing I alluded to really amounts to sending the inform-
ation down here.

Question: If something went wrong here, could Goddard control the

flight or would you have to terminate it fairly quickly?

Answer: No, the way it looks to us, we would not control the flight
from Goddard, but with the Goddard backup informatzon it would be
possible to continue on with the flight.

Question: Anything new cver the weekend on the EVA experiment?

Answer: No. We're still moving along with our work°

Question: Still hoping?

Question: What exactly is the work?

Answer: We have, of course, had an EVA program going on for a

substantial length of time and the work is involved in the quali-
fication of various equipments -- even the EVA suit_ although you
may have heard that it's completely qua_ified_ this is not true.
There's still some Testing going cn on ito That's typical.

Question: what remains in the suit work and the hatch_ your
spacecraft pressure work to still be worked out? is it considerable?

Answer: No. We've progressed to the point where I do feel that

it's very unlikely that we'll come up with a suit problem°

Question: That we would not?

Answer: That we would not - it's vezy unlikely that we weuid come
up with a suit problem°

Question: So that means 5hat the major problems are with the space-
craft?

Answer: No. We have a nurser of areas where we are actually still

continuing to conduct tests. The test program has generally moved
along so things look pretty good0 but we never can tell what might
crop up. Everything is in the mill.
 =17-

Question: what are the nature of the hatch tests?

Answer: We have, of course_ done many_ many hatch tests_ some

starting a year and a half age3 '_:c, B._t _he ones that are of
significance that we have _d _,=c_ntL_
c_._p ..... _ - _= the hatch
'l' aP" cold-
temperature tests, demcnstzatin_ that ycq c_n %._pem _nJ Close the

hatch is opened_ for exam_ie_ ar_,d ",_ radiating to ;_p_c_ f_cm

both sides it can get q,_<__.,ct ''_ = _y_ m!n._ 50 de___.._'_-'
'_ or
something like that° You won,_ t_.... K.. _-;ure that_ '*_tr the
differences in tempero_ _,_ 3f _t.e h_%ch as campa;,'ed t:; th=. tem-
perature of the frame_ it _z-i _r.en and (-_,__-_=_ati_f-_-te!ilv
It would be this type cf thtng_

Question: If everything gce_ Smccthly _ _ Y_'n_=; t?_ ::.ft_-sting_

it still won't make any d:lffe:_nce _i.tn the exaent _ which the
man will emerge_ will it?

Answer: That is correct,,

Question: It's prett_ w =_-.._settled that h,_ _-u

=_ _ stand up?

Answer: That is correct_

Question: What z_" the t_.,_=r-,=_=_.

........_= at_ _ay_ ;_ hundi,_t r,ile;_
above the earth'?

Answer: You can't ' _'_ - qur,le

reo±_y a t_pLl_ah_le b.rEal;.:P ycd .:ee_
you'd almost have tc catnh a __it$1e _'.clsc_:.iu _-r so:rsttin_ _nd
measure its excitation i really c_n_t q-,q.ta _ne bac_u ;_e it
has no significance_ You ha,,e to c_ ._ _e'. :cu_e% ia _'_der nc
and temperatuze is re,atei _3, _..... . __, _ .._ :_.'_
_{.._-s and _here_s
just not hardly any _.p there_ _c_: zeg_ and yu...l t__.mp_._ ....... say,
on the surface of the spacecraft _--__--
....
'_:s:
__ _ } zelat_d t-..what
it's radiating to and not ,'e+''''_: --- by _×r__t_nal, heat scurceo
There's no conduction cf something c..tal,de ir,To the =pacearafto
And, of course, in space_ except _'_.u the _,:=*-,
._,_ that_a zeradiated
from the earth or the heat that's _adi_ted fram the s_:n_ the
spacecraft sees essentially a b _-_--_=
.....zerc, And the temperatures -
equilibrium temperatures _,- a functi::n of the _-,u_r=ce condition
on the spacecraft = the e .....
_'_-_ ,.f tbs _'_int _rd eli That. sort of
thing determines how m_' _.n keat _,_,
_ tr._ken in Df _hi_ reradiaticn
from the earth and the s!_n_ a c3mpar_d tc 'n_._ .m:i2h is radiated
back out.

Question: Well_ te=_

' "_ m,_ we:.:d _ m}_n f; ._i cold :_.rw:._i.d he feel
hot if he were up the'._;_
_ wi.t_c3t a:-:l,pr::;tectlc, n '_
 -18-

Answer: Well, again, it's the same business. You can put protec-
tive cover layers on him of certain colors and balance the radia-
tion Out as compared to the heat absorption from the radiation
sources that you have, the sun and the earth, and get a temperature
balance. And, of course, in an unmanned spacecraft that's all they
do - they just paint stripes or particular colors on a spacecraft
and they maintain it right at 70 degrees cn the inside_

Question: If a man_s outside_ Chuck_ he will feel cold at a 100

miles altitude, in fact, he'll be dead cold_ wculd he not?

Answer: Not for some period of time - and it is even theoretically

possible just to hold his temperature rather accurately at a com-
fortable temperature by

Question: Rotating him evenly? . ba!anc_ng him at 6 rpm

or 8 rpm?

Answer: That's right.

Question: Has anyone thought of putting a molecular thermometer_

or whatever you might want to call it, aboard on the exterior of
the spacecraft?

Answer: No. We've never - at least_ not to my knowledge, Jules.

Question: Do you think, Mro Mathews, do you think that"s what

Colonel Leonov was doing when he was tumbling - he was rotating
himself?

Answer: No. He certainly wouldn't have been cut there for the
length of time that would require any action of that type. I:m
sure his garment was fairly well insulated and he did have a
fairly reasonable temperature balance to start with so that I
don't think he would have had to do anything_

Question: The time that our spacemen is emerged or partially

emerged - will that be comparable to the time the Russians -
or Russian emerged or shorter?

Answer: I really can't answer that° We really haven't completed

that study yet.

Question: Mr. Mathews_ Ed White said that they were going

to perform extra vehicular activity both directly to the sun and
in the shadow of the spacecraft. Is this true - that it's going
to be performed more than once?
 -19-

Answer: No. I don't know what - I don't know. You'll have to

ask him.

Question: You won't operate the thrusters while he's extra

vehicular, will you?

Answer: In the standup maneuver, I don_t see any problems with

operating the thrusters.

Question: Will they be operating ..

Answer: We haven't gotten that far yet. I don't know what he's
talking about°

Haney: He means that forward firing thruster - will that come

over the hatch?

Answer: It's off center.

Haney: I think it's past the time that you have here.

Chop: Okay.
 t,4 mi ' -
m w

¢ I ;;;A',
·TIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION

MANNED
SPACECRA Houston
CENTER 1. Texas
HUnter 3-4231 MSC 65-57
May 7, 1965

HOUSTON, TEXAS -- The first development test of a possible

landing rocket system for the Apollo spacecraft is scheduled to

take place here Tuesday with the drop of boilerplate spacecraft

from a crane into a 700,000 gallon water tank.

The 15-foot deep tank is located on the northwestern edge of

the Manned Spacecraft Center. It is 130 feet on a side, with 3-foot

%igh retaining walls, and is lined with a plastic material.

The boilerplate is fitted with two pair of rockets and an

8-foot long altitude sensor. The rockets are mounted outside the

pressure vessel in the outer rim of the heat shield and the thrust

vector of the rockets is alined with the gravity vector of the

spacecraft.

The rockets are identical to those used with the parasail

boilerplate, each one producing 6,000 pounds of thrust. They are

being tested as a possible method of attenuating landing loads for

Apollo.

Structural reinforcement of the heat shield area of Apollo is

the present solution for preventing damage to the spacecraft in a

rough water landing. If the landing rocket system proves desirable,

--more--
 Jd 1
MSC 65-57

it would cut several hundred pounds from the weight of the Apollo

command module, in addition to providing an improved emergency and

landing capability.

One more test will be conducted. Only three of the four motors

will be fired in the second test to determine the amount of at-

tenuation with a partial failure of the rocket system.

In both tests, the boilerplate will be instrumented with 14 pres-

sure transducers on the bottom of the heat shield and accelerometers

and rate gyros inside the spacecraft. Lead weight will ballast the

boilerplate to 10,000 pounds to give the vehicle a drop rate of

30 feet a second. It will be dropped from 22 feet at a 27 degree

angle which is the same angle at which the Apollo command module

is suspended from its parachutes.

IPJJIJ
N.,TIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE
Ii --r;l",l -
ADMINISTRATION

MANNED
SPACECRAFT Houston
CEN l, Texas

HUnter 3-4231 MSC 65-58

M_; 8, 1965

HOUSTON, TEXAS -- Dr. Jeannette Piccard, educational consultant

for the Manned Spacecraft Center and unofficial holder of the American

altitude record for women balloonists since 1934, will be the prin-

cipal speaker at the awards ceremony of the Houston Seminar of

High School Sciences, Saturday, May 8, at Memorial High School,

Houston, Texas.

The Seminar is sponsored annually by the Houston Council of

Science Clubs and the Engineers Council of Houston in cooperation

with the Baylor University college of Medicine.

The program will afford approximately 100 outstanding students

from the Houston area an opportunity to make both oral and written

presentations of their research projects. Students in grades 10,

11, and 12 will compete in the senior division, and those in grades 7,

8, and 9 in the junior division. Both divisions will include cate-

gories for research projects in Earth science, life science, mathe-

matics, and physical science.

First place trophies and second place medals will be awarded

to the winners in each category for both divisions, in addition to

--more--
Add 1
MSC 65-58

special awards by the Houston Heart Association and the American

Institute of Chemical Engineers.

The Manned Spacecraft Center will sponsor a special competi-

tion for the National Aeronautics and Space Administration awards

which will be made to the winners of technical and editorial

papers. Eight winners, four each from the junior and senior divi-

sions will receive NASA plaques and certificates. Presentation

will be made by Eugene E. Horton, Chief of Educational Programs

and Services, Public Affairs Office, Manned Spacecraft Center.

Dr. Piccard, who will speak on the subject, "Trials and

Tribulations of Pioneering," is the widow of the world-renowned

balloonist, Dr. Jean Felix Piccard. In 1934, Dr. Piccard and her

husband rode a balloon to an altitude of 57,579 feet, an exploit

for which she was awarded the Clifford B. Harmon International

Trophy. She was also the first American woman to hold a spherical

balloon pilot's license. This was granted by the Federation Aero-

nautique International, an organization that maintains all inter-

national aviation and spaceflight records.

Dr. Piccard has earned a doctorate in Philosophy from the

University of Minnesota; a Master of Science degree in chemistry

from the University of Chicago, and a Bachelor of Arts degree from

Bryn Mawr college, Byrn Mawr, Pennsylvania.

The presentations are open to the general public.

NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMIN!STRATION

MANNED SPACECRAF_[j.
"'_'"'J_?'_i :
HUnter 3-4231 MSC 65-59
May 12, 1965

HOUSTON, TEXAS -- The space suit for the lunar landing mission

is the only operational equipment whic_ must be designed to go all

the way to the surface of the moon and return to earth.

The Apollo suit, being developed by Crew Systems Division of

the Manned Spacecraft Center, for use on the lunar surface is not

a single garment, but an integrated series of garments. It is de-

signed to provide the astronaut the best possible protection a-

gainst the environment he will encounter on the lunar surface.

The entire suit is called the Extravehicular Mobility Unit

and it must shield its occupant against extremes of temperature

from minus 250 degrees Fahrenheit to plus 250 degrees Fahrenheit.

Micrometeoroids and the complete vacuum of space are two other

hazards it must withstand.

The well-dressed astronaut would wear the following assembly

when he steps onto the lunar surface.

The first layer is a liquid cooled undergarment. Through

earthbound tests, scientists have determined the neat load an

astronaut would generate while workLng on the lunar surface. The

--more--
Add 1

MSC
best 65-59
method of cooling the astron 1 ut under these conditions is by
I

circulating cool water through sm_li tubes which are in direct con-

tact with the skin.

/

The second layer of the astronaut's /

attire is the pressure
I

garment or the actual suit assembly. It must be pressurized while

the astronaut is on the lunar surface to protect him against vacuum_

The soft pressure garment tends t( take a spherical shape when

pressurized, so joints must be buJ It into the suit to provide mo-

[lity.

Mobility can vary in different joints of the suit, and engi-

neers must design each suit jointlto give the greatest mobility

for its corresponding human joint For example, a knee joint needs

only a flexure or bending movement:. It would not be acceptable

as a shoulder joint, which must m_Lke many complex motions.

Covering the pressure suit il micrometeoroid protection gar-

mento It is composed of lightweight materials arranged to provide

as much protection from meteoroid as a thin sheet of aluminum.

The astronaut's at%ire is co] _leted with a thermal overgarment

composed of many thin layers of s )erinsulation with a white syn-

hetic fabric as an outer layer. _ermal mittens protect the hands

and are provided with slit openin s in the palms to permit egress of

--mo] e--
Add 2
MSC 65-59

specially insulated gloves when tasks requiring finger dexterity

must be performed.

The suit, including the thermal and micrometeoroid garment,

weighs less than 50 pounds. The backpack which supplies oxygen and

ventilation to the astronaut on the lunar surface weighs 60 pounds,

and emergency oxygen and communications weigh ten pounds.

While wearing all this eqaipment, the astronaut must be able

to walk over the surface and perform many _aeks

The suit unit was taken to Bend, Oregon re:_enuly tc be tested

in terrain similar to conditions expezted to be fcund on the moon.

The tests indicated that some joint areas, particularly in the thigh

and ankle, need improvement to allow the man to move and perform

assigned tasks more easily.

MSC engineers are pursuing a development program to cut down

4
weight and bulk of the outer layers to provide more mobility and

several alternate approaches have been suggested.

In one concept, micrometeoro!id and thermal protection would

be integrated as additional layers i to the basic Apollo suit, as

the Gemini extravehicular suit is _onstructed. A second approach

I

ombines the two types of protection into the basic suit below the

waist, and the astronaut wears a s_parate covering on the upper

part of the body. --m_e--[

I
Add 3
MSC 65-59

Protection for the astronaut's eyes must also be considered

as part of the pressure garment assembly. Without any atmosphere

to scatter and cut down the power of the sun's rays on the lunar

surface, the astronaut is exposed to visible, infrared, and ultra-

violet rays. Solar reflection from _he space suit, the lunar ex-

cursion module, or scientific equipment can produce a blinding

glare. Dark adaption problems will be created by the transition

from light to shadow in sunlit areas.

As a solution to these visual problems, an adjustable visor

has been designed on the helmet. It operates similar to a sun visor

in an automobile, and can reflect 80 to 90 per cent of visible light,

60 to 80 per cent of infrared rays, and nearly all of the ultra-

violet rays. An inner and outer visor arrangement prevents fogging

due to temperature extremes.

While the Apollo suit is undergoing its development period,

the Gemini suit is being qualified for early earth orbital flights.

With small modifications, Gemini suits will also be used for

early Apollo earth orbital missions to allow des:gn engineers to

concentrate on deveicpment of the Apollo suit for lunar trips.

The major development effort remaining for the Gemini program

is the extravehicular suit. In later Gemini missxons, the astronaut

--more--
 Add 4
MSC 65-59

will step outside his spacecraft for the first time, protected only

by his pressure suit,

For micrometeoroid protection, a cloth material which will

stop penetrating particles has been developed for Gemini. The

Gemini suit will be qualified for vacuum and extreme temperature

operation in the 35-foot diameter vacuum chamber at the Manned Space-

craft Center°

Since the beginning of manned spaceflight programs by the U._

_he development work in suits has had two goals. First, to protect

the man inside the spacecraft cabin in case of a loss of pressure.

Second, to provide protection for the man venturing outside into

space° An investment of $12 million in developing pressure suits

for Gemini and Apollo has already been made by the_U.S.

Without the space suit to protect man, the national goal of

walking on the surface of the moon and gathering the scientific

information cannot be met.

Ever since the ,ate President Kennedy expressed our national

purpose in reaching the moon, MSC has been working on suits wk_cn

; can support man in true space as found on the lunar surface.

The suits developed in reaching this goal add to our kno_-

edge and insure the safety of the a[tronaut. In the meantime

--more--
Add 5
MSC 65-59

the suit provides back-4p insurance should the spacecraft lose

pressure during earth orbital fligh%_.

The UoS. space suit is being designed as a mobile, light-

weight item which will enable man to make space another environ-

ment in which he can work and live.

if iiii
NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION

M NNED SPACECRAr T__,]HousJl:on

HUnter 3-_23- _%C 65-6C.

May 24, i_65 :

HOUSTON_ T_Z&S -- The i.L_nnedSpacecraft C n_er was host last week ye 18

honor students represenving the nationa!ly-accla_ned Project SPA_RC grou: of

_:rtheast High Schoo: in Philadei_hia.

_ne SP_-v',C
?ro_ect was started in October !_ by vhe then 25-year old

Northeast High School physics teacher, Robert Montgomery, Jr.) with full

enthusiastic support of other faculty members and school administrators.

M_. Montgomery has re_ined coordinator of the _roject since its inception.

A total of 91 students now participate in the project on an active_ continuous

basis_ with another 123 students giving backup support to pro_ect work.

¥_hen the projecv was first started) according to _.ir.Montgomery, an eff_t

was made to s_'--mp!y

organize "some sort of space club." Student response was so

tremendous that the result was a full-fledged space research project ns::ed

S?._RC (for space research capsule] which had as its goals +_he construction of

a _£_ace capsule s_muiatsr (equi_m_:.ent

and ground control system), the prepara-

tion of student astronauts_ and the testing of equipment and men in a s_::_ulave_

space flight.

The original S2A_RC me_:2_ersformed six co_mmd_tees to accomplish the:r ob-

ject-v _. __esc activities have e×panded with t_m% i_uv the pro_ect has kept

esaentialiy the sa.me general organization_ with the fo!_owing co_w:it_ees:

(1) :: ,_-,_al/Psycbo2oav _ (_) Flight Plan_ (_) ._str-onics and Co::::_icat-_'ns;

(4) Design Engineering; (F) Life Sup/:ortj and (6] Advanced _rojecvs.
 o.:_ll r_If_llS'C[_OOA. ,,_srs silk.asea ia_neh progremls_ iflich

ir.'iueed the ,"itc q_`r of a fuli-press,_"e _,_ercury suit. a test seat_ ins_rumenz

panel_ and a 6reumd -entre! unit xomp!ete with flashing iig_ts.

'lien In _<'_ _; _ of
...... !)}': s>,s
_ i: ;_=_Oa_s_ honor o b b!O__i_ uS SPARe were given

a ¥o_ o _.o_e .sx__rs, Tr.e}_ visited _V_artaeDS_a_ r_u Center at 5nas %lice

also. 'Fca% vo-_ inspired even more _?_bitious efforts upon enel_ return zo

PhiladeiDhia
_ sma _'_ ?_a_
_u. leah
. _ , e_h_
_r :_aa constructed a Systems Evaluation

Facility (SEF). This is a 20' x !1' x 6' superstruct'_re_ completely heated

and air--,onditioned_ _zhi_'h no_,_houses a completed 3-man capsule mock-we mad

suppo 'ting grouted control _._p_ ......

_"': _+ o_r_
_== however_ is only the first care

of SPARC'S oo,_:u_,=.
........ _,.,ni.r_'"
is zo have a fully aaui_Ded_
__ capsule ready for

<a__s!eze circu?_!ur_ar fligL5 si_T_ations.

This ewe!sins _ay the _ ...... +_ of

l_b_!UO the o_A:3_{_ group_
OO _shich just comoleted

· ' _ea ..... _ _ Center on its se}end vo'_r of i,_%SA centero_

- -- pr_¥zariiy
}a_ f
_oeusea ' on fligk_t -ontrol simulation work.

Other areas of interesz wol'e eeoalls on eno Apollo program kespec_._ly

_i1 i*OfP_lsSld _OCiL_ie ace 1Len_F excs__SlOn raoDuAe)_ eaviga%ion ir£st?_zents_ _'

_rO_CS 8210 r_ _ _,m - -_ _ = 5yater 2ooied _ suit Co!lszl'tictioil

eric operation_ aszronaus training aaa activities_ a_l{ medical a_{ _,-',-_,_si ,_,

o b _{i I s o ·

_ ..... ae_ she SPARe tea's.

,_ ..... work oar_i!e!s itl fkaii_'r_soec_s _ii_ _o'Yel'ir£ex_s reset, rca prot, r_'! on

marz_e_ Soac_ _-:b .... bPr._._ 8. wonderful exa_'ilJl£of _,;rlattr_e ifF_as ar_a -_,-' '_=o

Of ceonagers "_ a 2orloilsa _,frl=i:

_ar_.__e_ in {:enters :_.u .... _u=_,=:_.
 4

Er_
 GEMINI NEWS CENTER

l_c 65-61
June 10, 1965

HOUSTON_ TEXAS -- The NASA Manned Spacecraft Center here is seeking

proposals for an exper_lents package to leave on the moon when American

explorers depart on their return trip to earth.

The package, called the Lunar Surface Experiments Package (LSEP)_

will contain a combination of instruments to measure the moon's gravity

and atmosphere_ heat flow and solar wind_ proton activity and micrometeorite

impacts for as long as a year.

The package will also contain a data subsystem_ including telemetry

transmitters_ controls and antenna; electrieal_ thermal and power generation

subsystems.

The experiments to be left behind are separate from the lunar geological

equipment to be used by the astronauts during their periods of exploration.

They will use such items as hand tools_ coring devices_ cameras and

containers.

The Apollo lunar landing program is NASA's effort to land two men on

the moon and return them safely by 1970.

The experiments package will insure that a flow of information about

the moon will continue long after the astronauts have returned home.

The first step in this program will be taken June 16 when interested

firms will attend a bidders conference at MSC.

Up to three firms of those responding to NASA's request for proposals

will be selected for awards of separate $500_000 research and development

contracts. The six-month contracts would be fixed price.

- more -
MSC 6_-61
Add 1

One of the three_ after a review of his proposals and moek-ups_ will

receive a cost-plus-incentive fee contract to develop hardware to do the

long-time lunar exploration.

Mock-ups coming out of the first contracts will be delivered to the

Manned Spacecraft Center and to Grumman Aircraft Engineering Corporation_

Bethpage_ New York_ manufacturers of the Apollo lunar excursion module.

The experiments packages will be delivered to the moon aboard the

Apollo spacecraft_ and landed on the surface by the lunar excursion

module (LEM), that section of the spacecraft designed to land men on the

moon and return them to the command module in lunar orbit.

Several identical packages ultimately will be left on the moon_ one

aboard each man-carrying IteM. The packages will operate for about a year_

possibly using a nuclear power source.

As many as eight experiments are candidates for inclusion aboard the

LSEP:

ACTIVE LUNAR SEISMIC EXPERIMENT to ascertain the elastic properties

of the lunar surface and interior to a depth of 500 feet. This experiment

involves explosive charges for seismic measurements_ with the explosives

set to detonate long after the astronauts have left the moon.

PASSIVE LUNAR SEISMIC E{PEP/iMENT to detect seismic waves from natural

sources_ using a three-axis_ long-period seismograph and a one-axis short

period seismograph.

- more -
_,_c65-61
Add 2

LUNAR GRAVITY EXPERIMENT to measure the acceleration o£ gravity over

a period of several months, using expected "tidal" effects and changes in

the moon's gravity caused by seismic activity and free oscillations_

possibly caused by "gravitational waves" from stellar activity.

LUNAR METEOROID ME_gSTJRf_I_T to measure the flux_ velocity_ radian%

momentum and depth of penetration of meteoroids into an aluminum collector.

HEAT FLOW EXI_IMENT_ a study of the thermal regime near the lunar

surface using temperature probes "stabbed" into the sturface by the flight

crew_ and left to tra_nsmit temperature changes.

LUNAR ATMOSPHERIC EXPERIMEtf_S_ using a lunar atmosphere analyzer_ a

lunar ionosphere analyzer and a total pressure measuring gauge. These

instruments will determine the degree of lunar atmosphere_ if any.

LUNAR RADIATION EXPER]XENTS to measure electron and proton activity_

and to measure the hydrogen_helium ratio of solar wind as it strikes the

lunar surface.

LUNAR SURFACE MAGNETOMETER to determine_ with well-deffined accuracy_

the moon's magnetic field at one or two locations.

 GEMINI NEWS CENTER

MSC 65-6_,
June 10, i965

HOUSTON, TEXAS -- Robert O. Piland has been appointed manager

of the newly formed Experiments Program Office at the NASA Manned

Spacecraft Center here.

The new office will be responsible for developing, implementing

and integrating all experiments to be flown on manned space missions,

and is a part of the Engineering and Development Directorate at

MSC.

Piland was formerly deputy manager of the Apollo Spacecraft

Program Office, an assignment he was given in January, 1962. He

joined MSC in 1959 when it was called Space Task Group.

With Piland in the Experiments Program Office will be Robert

E. Vale, formerly assistant chief of Structures and Mechanics

Division at MSC; John W. Small, formerly resident Apollo manager

at Grumman Aircraft Engineering Corp., Bethpage, N. Y.; Norman

Foster, whose entire Gemini Experiments Branch has transferred

from Gemini Program Office into EPO, and William Armstrong, experi-

ments coordinator from Advanced Spacecraft Technology Division.

Besides being manager of EPO, Piland has been named experi-

ments manager for Maxime Faget, Assistant Director for Engineering

and Development at MSC.

Piland joined the science staff of the NASA Langley Research

Center located at Langley Field, Virginia in 1947. As a research

--more--
Add 1
MSC 65-62

scientist he became engaged in the development and flight testing

at Wallops Island, Virginia, of rocket-propelled research test

vehicles. Under Piland's supervision, three-, four-, and five-stage

test vehicles were successfully developed and used to obtain unique

test data in aerodynamic heating, which substantiated theories

which could be reliably used for the design of hypersonic vehicles

such as ballistic missile nose cones, the X-15, the Mercury Space-

craft, etc.

During 1958, Piland served as a technical assistant to the

President's Advisor in the space and missile fields. At the termina-

tion of his duty in 1959, Piland was asked to take the assignment

of Assistant Chief of the Flight Systems Division, Manned Spacecraft

Center. Within the Flight Systems Division were organized approxi-

mately 150 technical and scientific personnel responsible for over-

seeing the proper development of the Mercury capsule and its various

systems.

In early 1960 Piland was assigned to manage the early planning

and study efforts which led to the present Apollo spacecraft program.

In 1962 Pilana received the Institute of Aeronautical Sciences'

Lawrence Sperry Award for notable contributions made for the advance-

ment of the Aerospace Sciences.

--more--
Add 2
MSC 65-62

Piland attended secondary schools in Portsmouth, Virginia.

He graduated from the College of william and Mary, williamsburg,

Virginia, with a BS degree in mathematics in 1947.

Piland is married to the former Myra Stanton of Brooklyn,

New York. They have three children and reside in Dickinson,

Texas.

IJHI;
I TIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION

MANNED
SPACECRAFT Hous41:on
_CENTFRi I. Texa_
HU 3-5111 MSC 65-63
June 29, 1965

HOUSTON, TEXAS -- One geologist, two physicians and three

physicists were named today by the National Aeronautics and Space

Administration to join the 28-man team of astronauts in training

at the NASA Manned Spacecraft Center here.

The new scientist-astronauts will train as highly specia]ized

scientific crewmen for the Apollo pa_ogram.

They are:

Ower: Ko Garriott, :34, cf 825 Cedro Way, Stanfcrd, Calif., an

associate professor cf phy:_ics at Stanfo_d University_

Edward G. Gibson, 29, of 2907 Via Corbina, Sail Clemente, Califo,

a senior research scientist _.t Applied Research Laboratories, Aero-

nutronic Division, '_-_'

Phil.., Corp., Newport Beach, Calif_

Q
Duane E. Graveline, .,4, of 705 Windrock Drive, San Antonio,

Tex., a flight surgecn at the NASA Manned Spacecraft Cer_ter.

Lt. Cdr. Joseph P. Kerwin. 33, of 3056 LaKeshore Blvd., Jackson-

ville, Fla., staff flight stlrgeon for Air Wing Four, Cecil Field

Naval Air Station, Fla.

Frank Curtis Michel, 31, of 6415 Mercer St_, Houston, Tex., an

ssistant professor of space sciences, Rice University.

--more--
Add 1
MSC 65-63

Harrison H. Schmitt, 29, of 709 W. Grand Canyon Ave., Flagstaff,

Arizona, an astrogeologist for _.S. Geological Survey.

They were chosen from a group of 16 nominees submitted to NASA

by the National Academy of Sciences, Washington, D. C. The Academy

screened about 400 applications forwarded by NASA earlier this year.

Two of the six selectees are qualified jet pilots. Kerwin has

been a Naval Aviator since 1962; Michel has about 500 hours in Air

Force jets. They will report to the Houston space center to begin

training in late July.

The others will report July 29 to Williams AFB, Arizona, to join

an Air Force class of cadets for a year of pilot training, then will

continue training at Manned Spacecraft Center.

Garriott and Graveline are private pilots.

The new astronauts were judged by the Academy mainly on their

scientific backgrounds, regardless of jet pilot experience, unlike

previous astronaut selection programs. They underwent strenuous

physical examinations, were given jet indoctrination flights by MSC,

and took extensive tests. Age limit was 34.

Of the other 28 astronauts on board at MSC, all hold bachelor de-

grees, ten have master's and one has his doctorate. All are qualified

in jet aircraft and have flown a combined 85,000 hours.

--more--
Add 2
MSC 65-63

Beginning in April, 1964, the NASA Office of Space Science

and Applications and the NationalAcademy of Sciences cooperated

in developing the scientific criteria for the selection process.

The Academy conducted the screening for scientific qualification

of the applicants. The NASA Office of Manned Space Flight and the

Manned Spacecraft Center were responsible for all other aspects

of selection criteria and screening.

BIOGRAPHIES ATTACHED
Add 3
MSC 65-63

Owen K. Garrlott
· was born __-a _,_,
_'_' Okla. , Nov. 22, 1930. "_.e

is five feet, nine inches tall and weighs 145 pounds. His wife is

mhe zormer Helen Mary Walker cz _nz_. They }ave three sons: R_.d ....

10; Robert, 9; Richard, 4. His esrents, M_. and Y_s. Owen Garrio'ct,

live at Enid.

Garriott has been teaching electronics, electromagnetic theory

and ionospheric _ : ..... =_'_ _._-v_s__y since 19oi, anc '---_

performed research in _oncspnerlc'

' ' p,_v_=_cs<
_' since obu_:_,._-
__ _c.. 'his' doc-

torate _-_ Stanford in 1960. X= is a i.9z18 ....._........ r .....

_ ri:- -

School, received his Bachelor of _ze._ _es.e= froLi uhe ....

_ .....

O_.._,,oma in 1953, and gem his ._,asuer of Sclence cegree zrom

Stanford in 1957.'

He spent a year in _-" - _- ' -

fellowship at _=mb_=oge
_-- _' Unlversi'av
' ' _c
_-_ at 5ile Radio' _
_eseerc21
- - b_=-
....

tion at Slough mn_'-

1960-61. Xe was _ cons'aa-zan-c_
' ' -ac ubs i-_anneal

Space Science Division of N._..

....U's Office of e-_ c, _ ........ _._

plications, and to Lockheed Cu_=_=_o_

_-'_..... _ '_ S Space Physics __ .......
.....
Ch. s.e

was secretary to the U.S. Oo_rfiisslon, _=e===_=lu.:e= Sciel%'aLzic

Radio Union, was regional edltor' cz- p_ana_cary-

· _::_,-._s
S-seco o_
............
.._,-_.,

is a member of the American Geo'oi_vsical -_unlon,' '_

......
s_-
..... __i, Sigma

Xi, and the Institute or _iec_arlca_ _ _._.0_,_ _S_._s. He

was an eiOctronies _':_

Oz_=C_= _" in ......
_P_= Now_ _
/or '
'throe y=_='='-_, serving on

destroyers.
Add 4
MSC 65-63

_A_,_ G. GIBSON

Edward G. Gibson was born in Buffalo, N. Y., Nov. 8, 1936.

He is five feet, nine inches tall and weighs 160 pounds. He is

married to the former Julia Ann Volk of Alden, N. Y., and they

have a son, John, 1, and a daughter, Jannet, 5. His parents, Y.r.

and >irs. Calder A. Gibson, live at Kenmore, N. Y.

Gibson has been in aerospace research with A_3piied Research

Laboratories, Newport _e_c_.,_

_ '_ _,-_--_
=., s_nce _une- ._u=_c<"
_:_e._ he re-

ceived his doctorate in engzneercng p?_ysics zror_ ,_.= _,,=-__._

institute of Technology. Pie rec_-v=_ . _- ;;_.=_=_ or bcze._se .....

_=-

in 1960 at Caltech, and his 3acheior ___-_

_=_=_.... in __>'c::a_ Cne'

University of Rocne_z=r, N. v_. He "_

_ a 1955 -
gr_cu_-ce or .,c£.more

High School at Kenmore, N. Y.

_Fail e stu dyi ng ...... '...._ -....

....... .............
o .... : .....
, Caiif , ^ -^ -' -._ -

physics, and la-aer wroue several -cechnlc_l loapers, ' .......

on his work w_,, LASER. Pie zs a _,·e_=_ oz ?au Be%a ..... '_

American _n_=ztu_e
_ -=' e of Aero_nautics aha - Aa'dronautlcs' , _s all ._. C.

Baker Fellow and a Fellow of the National Science .............

Add 5
MSC 65-63

DUA_E E. G_VELiNE

Duane E. Graveline was born at Newport, Vt., Mar. 2, 1931.

He is six feet tall and weighs 165 pounds. His wife is the former

Carole Jane Tollerton of Newport, and they have four daughters:

Jill, 13, Joan and Jean, 12; Jane, 10. His parents, Mr. and Mrs.

Edgar Graveline, live at _ewport.

Graveline left the U.S. Air Force earlier this month to join

the staff of the Medical Operations Office at }_nned Spacecraft

Center. He was a military flight surgeon at the Aerospace Medical

Division, Brooks AFB. He formerly was a scientific researcher in

the field of bioastronautics at Wright-Patterson AFl,, Ohio, and

served as Chief of Aviation Medicine at Kelly AFB in 1956-57, He

has written more than a dozen technical and scientific papers, in-

cluding many on the effects of prolonged weightless in space flights.

He also participated during Project Mercury as a medical mcnitor

for NASA.

He attended public schools in Vermont, received his Bachelor of

Science degree from the University of Vermont and won his Doctor of

Medicine degree in 1955 from the Vermont Medical School. He interned

at Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, D.C., in 1955-56,

then earned his Master of Public Health degree from john Xcpkins

School of Hygiene in 1958. While in the Air Force he attended Nuclear

MedicineSchool, the Air Force School of Aviation Medicine, Missile

Medicine School at Cape Kennedy, Fla., and Advanced Aerospace Medicine

School at Brooks AFB.

Add 6
MSC 65-63

LT. CDR. oO_P.:: _R_ ....,, TS_'f

Joseph P · Kerwin was born in Oak Park, Iii, , _'

.-_D . 19, 1932

He _s married to the former Sn:r_ev_

' _ _ Ann Good of _ : _-

·_a they have a daughter, Sharon, 2. His parents, ._=x_-_.

and N=_---_.

Edwari H. Kerwin, live in Chicago. He is six feet tall and weighs

174 pounds.

i<erwin has been in +_._,e.N_vy_.ss'ice' Juiv,_ 195S, - won

_nc_ his

lot's wings at Pensacola NAS in _,-_-

_r-,. Pie _,,_a .__...,,_=_
_.....
cuts-tanG-

ing officer student in his c=._=_

..... class . .'__._
........._ _ ..... ,.,_
'......... a Naval

aviator, ' - _---:

'_" ..... _ .... .. -- _q. __a .-4_ r_--.C. ,: 'O',i ii

at C_e_yR
--_ Point, N. C. _=_-_
"'...., he served as z_-c_'ii_-'
_ ' s'drgeo.i for _x'_%_'_---

Sguadron i01 a_ Oceans Naval -':-_ Statio.:, _ _.....

'.... ':-_' ....

became staff flight surgeon zor =.z= :,'

'_ ='our, Cecil _, _ _
_<_ NAS, Pla

He is a 1949 ..... of _._._w_cx_

,: _' ,m _c_.oo_'
- - .....
_,. Park,

He recelveo nls saenelor of _'_=-_o degree in 1953 rron: _ne _=_=

of Holy Cross, Worcester, }lass., eno his Doctor of '-_'= _-- eegree

from Northwestern University _=_=_

_:_=_ Sc_oo=, _.._. was .... ern

at District of Columbia General Hospital, Washin%ton, D. C., during

1957-58. He also attended -_

_ne U.S . lqavy Scnooz
_ ' of Aviation _._-c
'_ icine

at Pensacola, in 1958.
Add 7
MSS 65-63

'_'.CJRT!S '<!2PiiL

_'_.Curtis Michel was born at .....

m_Cres_=, Lis.,,7: wune- s,_ 1934.

He is _v_ feet, ezever, _nc.._ tail ant welgns 160 'OOUiiCS. his

wize'
- is the_ former Beverly }.iuriel K_m-ns.<y_
" ' of Sacramento, _-'-'=.

and 5ney have one son, Jeffrey_ 2. [,[ichei's momner, Mrs viols Bloom,

lives in San Francisco.

klcnei _:_ been a-c Rice T.-i _--'.'v '_ ...._ __ - ' _e'_-

He researches and teaches specs _e_eR_c_"

: ....., sc.ch as -'_._:'
"_._.=__e_,'^'-_-
_ ?

of solar winds end the iur_sr ecw_ss}iha.'_ _1::2

-orr.__r[ -.u_._a rs-

soarer, fellow at the "=_{ ...... '-' -_ ..... - ,-,_-.'--'--.T

doing ' ' _ ........ ._ · '-_ _........

_-_ ' ' '

race!vet _ls doctorate in '3/i/z]2_e_a_ Gel'tear. mil ,9az SRo n_a _=._C

his Bachelor of Science degree _-'=--_ _'_.....

_ ......... ' .....

is a 1951 graduate of _,',._.l_+_-_, ---- o ......5 -

Prior to '_ :
}_n_,ng .....Air
mne Force in 1955, ' - - was
:,_lcnez _ 3_.nior

engineer working on the Cor_orai f4issiie ProLram at -cite Guided

Missile Division of Firestone Tire _Ru-

'_ Rubber Co., Sou'ci-.La'he,

Calif. An Air Force ROTC graduate, idlcnel

.... receives -_-__i._i._'"-'-
mraln-'
'

lng at Marana AFB, Tucson, "-' . ails _ _areco ant _._ -..ur _ b-roe

Bases in Texas. He flew P86 _.....--_'-.

.......
_ in the U.S. and E_.'or,e

during his three years in milimary service.

Add 8
MSC 65-63

_z_rmson H. _cnmltt was _a__. at Sanua Ri-sa, 's _; on $eiv s,

i935. He is five feet, nine inches -_-_ and weighs moo point=.. A

bachelor· his parents · Fro. and ' . Harrison

l_irs :- ' A. Sc_,_z._,
_-:_ live An
'

Silver City· N. M.

Schmitt has been with -_e L'.S. Geological Survey s Astroc_eoiogy

Department at Flagstaff, Ariz., for the pas% vear. ice was project

cn_ on photo and telescopic ma'o'ozng of the moon ant s__n=_, eno

was among _he USGS _:_- ' ' _ '_== z_.a_r_c_iilg NS.f i asaronau'as m,.._-'...-

ar:czr geo_oglcal _=_d trips. From o'dile _boJ co _uilo ic_ . Scli'l['_'_

was on a National Science" ...._ ....

_ ..... -' ...... '' . c--,- , ..

-
}iarvaro's Department of ' ' -- Sc_s_.ces
_ ....... Prior _..... '--"' --

ship, Sehmitt had received a =_m_.lgi.= =c=_,. ...... o N'or\,zz,, A_Z,7--DO,;

a i<ennecot Fellowship ir. Geology ,.-Js, o-o'._,., a r._v___ ..... ,_r.-_

(1959-60), a Parker Traveling Pem_ows.lze _=_o_-_z_, _n_ a iarv,lrd

Traveling -_e_owo._lp
"' -_' {i960)

He graduated from ?,eszern -"--- '-_--_"- _ - _ ~,.-.-

....

i953, and from the California ............ -....- _,f -- - :-_

1957. He studied au -one _.i-vers-_v .... .o ir: i..31>,_a

'_____._-_
...... ._D'c--_-_,_.n-c

~
and received -_: x ........ ' .... - _ -

was e teachi:_ fellow at Harvard ir: -_-

_'-'_ where t-..__ am acluu ,}aoiocl. cal

Geotogic<i Survey in O_o,

_ and rot
_ tn_
"_ u.S.
-" _ _ _ - _ _ ....

Mexico and_ l<ontana, lnc±_omng some '_ndergraduate wori<. _=_ ' -

bar of Sigma lei and the American Geophysical Union.

 4_

_ _4__ j_
!.
r

c_
_z
 I

ht_
L_

I
_r
i'

cJ_
C_T
 NASA HEADQUARTERS RELEASE
6-26-65
NASA NAMES GEMINI AND APOLLO MISSION
DIRECTORS

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration today an-

nounced the appointment of Robert F. Thompson as Mission Director

for future Gemini missions and Colonel C. H. (Rit) Bolender, USAF,

as Mission Director for the first and second Apollo/Saturn IB

flights.

Thompson and Bolender are assigned to the Mission Operation

Organization in the Office of Manned Spaceflight, NASA Headquarters,

Washington. They will have overall responsibility for directing

assigned missions.

Thompson, was Chief Landing and Recovery Division, NASA Manned

Spacecraft Center, Houston, before receiving the Headquarters as-

signment. He will direct the Gemini 5 mission and all remaining

Project Gemini flights.

Christopher C. Kraft, who served temporarily as both mission

and flight director for Gemini missions 2, 3, and 4 will continue

in his regular assignment as Flight Director for future Gemini

missions. In addition, to his regular assignment as Mission

Flight Director, he is Assistant Director for Flight Operations

at the Manned Spacecraft Center, Houston.

Thompson, 40, joined the NACA Langley Research Laboratory

in 1947. He is a native of Bluefield, Virginia and received a

B. S. degree in aeronautical engineering from Virginia Polytechnic

Institute in 1944. During World War I _ he served as a line officer

in the U. S. Navy.
 Before assignment to the Mission Operations Office,

Washington, in January of this year, Colonel Bolender directed

a studies group in the Office of the Chief of Staff, USAF. His

previous assignments include extensive guided missiles and aero-

nautical systems work and attendance at the Air War College. Dur-

ing World War II he served as a night fighter pilot in the North

African and Meterannean theaters. Bolender was born November 2,

1919. He holds a B. S. degree from Wilmington College, Ohio and

an M. D. A. from Ohio State University.

'-TIO NAL AERONAUTICS NISTRATION

MANNED
SPACECRAFT Iouston
CEN . T°xas
HUnter 3-5111 MSC 65-64
July 1, 1965

HOUSTON, TEXAS -- A "repeat performance" of Astronaut Jim McDivitt's

attempt to rendezvous with the Titan booster during the GT-4 mission

will take place in the Manned Spacecraft Center's Guidance and Control

Laboratory next week.

Although McDivitt may not be present to act as pilot, G & C

engineers are planning to duplicate the rendezvous maneuvers using

the Virtual Image Simulator and a series of three computers.

The Simulator has been used to give a three dimensional repre-

sentation of a lunar landing, and rendezvous to train pilots and

work out the problems connected with a lunar touchdown and rendezvous

with the command module in lunar orbit.

In the Gemini rendezvous simulation, the Titan booster will be

represented by a 30 x 10 ft. rectangle against a black background.

Several pilots including some of the astronauts will m_ke the

flights. Each run will take about 70 minutes. The co--and pilot

· , f
will be seated in a mock-up Gemini cabin tot the simulation/and will

nave the same field of view as the Gemini spacecraft. He will have

his attitude and translational controllers for varying direction and

speed. --more--
Add 1
MSC 65-64

In addition to the "out of the wind_w" view, he will use the

"eight ball" attitude i_dicator to determine his direction of travel

and the incremental velocity indicator or spacecraft speedometer to

register increases or _ecreases in speed.

Each run will start after spacecraft separation when the Gemini

and its booster are 400 feet apart. The pilot will try to perform

the statiot% keeping maneuver by coasting to 3000 feet from the booster,

turning &round, and thrusting close to the target.

"We want to try to duplicate what was done during Gemini," Ron

Simpson said, "then we will try to find procedures that will be more

conservative in fuel consumption." Simpson is project engineer for

the simulation.

The entire planned rendezvous maneuver will also be run. After

the first rendezvous, Gemini 4 was scheduled to separate 21.8 miles

from the booster and then perform a terminal rendezvous. Since

McDivitt used nearly half his fuel attempting the station keeping

maneuver, both rendezvous attempts were cancelled.

Several other cOmputer studies of the Gemini 4 rendezvous orbital

mechanics are being conducted by the Mission Planning and Analysis

Division of Flight Operations, and by Theoretic Mechanics B_anch of

Guidance and Control Division. The Engineering Simulation Branch is

the only section of NSc attempting to refly the mission.

--_ore--
Add 2
MSC 65-64

'We expect to receive double benefit from these simulations,"

Simpson said, "not o_ly do we hope to obtain information for future

Gemini rendezvous, but we hope it wall benefit in p_anning the Apollo

lunar rendezvous.

f
NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION

_,.NNED SPACECRAFT ;___Hous41:on

_.__
_C ENTER___'_t. Texas
HUnter 3-5111 MSC 65-65
July 1, 1965

NASA TO NEGOTIATE WITH FEDERAL ELECTRIC CORPORATION FOR

MSC SUPPORT SERVICES

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration today selected

Federal Electric Corporation of Paramus, N. J.---a subsidiary of Inter-

national Telephone and Telegraph Corporation---for negotiation of a

contract to provide logistical and technical information support services

to its Manned Spacecraft Center, Houston.

An award-fee type contract will be negotiated for a one-year period

kh renewal provisions for 2 additional years, if performance is

acceptable. Estimated cost for the first year of services is 1.5 million.

The services to be provided the Center include technical writing and

editing, technical documentation retrieval, microfilming, and graphic

arts. It is anticipated that approximately 200 persons will be req_red

to perform these services.

Under an award fee type agreement the contractor can earn additional

profit by improving performance and reducing cost.

Federal Electric was one of 11 firms which responded to request

for proposals issued by the Center.

_#
 I -J'A'
NATIONAL AERONAUTICS
,,d--Imi"r -'
AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION
-
FI..__A_
, H°us_°n
h,dNNEDSPACECR_E
R '__._l, Texas
HUnter 3-5111 MSC 65-66
July 1, 1965

HOUSTON, TEXAS -- Astronauts Frank Borman and James A. Lovell, Jr.,

have been assigned as the prime flight crew for the Gemini VII mission

scheduled for the first quarter of 1966.

The backup crew for the flight of up to 14 days consists of Astro-

nauts Edward H. White, II and Michael Collins.

Borman and Lovell were the backup crew and White was the pilot for

the Gemini IV mission. The command pilot on that flight, Astronaut

James A. McDivitt, has been assigned as a spacecraft communicator

for the Gemini V flight.

Borman is command pilot for the Gemini VII mission, and White is

command pilot in the backup crew. Collins is the first of the third

group of astronauts named in October, 1963, to be assigned to a flight

crew.

Actual flight duration of the Gemini VII mission will depend on

experience from earlier flights and the progress of the mission itself.

Extravehicular activity may be conducted.

;;
JII
,
I ;;A'A'
XTIONAL AERONAUTICS
;4 AND SPACE
mi ADMINISTRATION
-
FT-__'-_H ouston

NASA Headquarters Release 65-228

July 8, 1965

NASA EQUIPS PEGASUS C i,_TH DETACHABLE PANELS

An engineering experiment with the ultimate aim of possibly

returning to earth meteoroid punctured metal samples from long

exposure in space has been added to the Pegasus C/Saturn i0

project of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration.

Small "coupons" er sub-panels of aluminum have been fastened

to the Pegasus spacecraft with simple quick-detach fittings.

The scheme is designed so that at some future date, if the experi-

ment is deemed feasible, an astronaut could detach the panels

and carry _hem back to earth.

NASA officials emphasize that no decision has been made for

an astronaut to rendezvous and retrieve such samples. If the

sub-panels are recovered from the space environment for labora-

tory study and analysis, they could provide actual samples of

meteoroid hits. Knowing the nature and thickness of the material,

and length of time exposed, scientists could learn much about

the meteoroids, their effects and other factors of the space

environment.

Although numerous experiments have been conducted in space,

no materials punctured by metecroids have been returned thus

far. Meteoroids are believed to be small particles of matter

--more--
Add 1
Hqs. Release 65-228

flying in space at great speeds. When they enter the earth's

atmosphere, they burn -- as meteors -- and those that reach the

ground are known as meteorites.

The Pegasus experiment, managed by NASA's Marshall Space

Flight Center, is designed to gather knowledge of the frequency

and type of hits experienced in space, and radio the information

back to earth. So far, Pegasus I and II have recorded numerous

hits, while other smaller satellites have added to the record.

In addition to installing the detachable sub-panels, the

Pegasus C flight plan has been changed to a circular orbit about

332 miles above the earth at 28.9 © inclination rather than an

elliptical orbit at 51 © inclination. The change is to orbit

Pegasus C closer to a nominal manned flight path.

The Marshall Center made up eight panels for the special

purpose on Pegasus C, and then positioned them at comparable

locations on each of the two wings of the spacecraft, four to

each side. The frame of the spacecraft was coated with luminous

paint to make it easier to recognize in orbit.

Luminous paint was also coated on the frames of the eight

individual panels holding the detachable sub-panels.

There are six "coupons" on each panel, three to each side,

for a total of 48 "coupens". They are made of aluminum in three

thicknesses, as follows: 16 of them at .008 inch or 8 mils

--more--
Add 2
Hqs. Release 65-228

thick; 24 at 16 mils or .016 inch; and 8 at 32 mils or .032

inches.

The sub-panels are attached at two relay points to the

main panels and could be removed quickly. The 11 x 16 inch

size is easy to carry and can be stored in compartments within

the Gemini cr Apollo spacecraft.

z_wo major program divisions cf NASA have worked cooperatively

on the Pegasus/Saturn project. The Pegasus project is the

responsibility of the Office of Advanced Research and Technology,

while the Saturn is a major project of the Office of Manned

Space Flight.

The Pegasus C Launch is scheduled for July 30 at Cape

Kennedy.
 July 1965

Glenn McAvoy of the NASA Inspections Division is leaving

the South Central regional office located at the Marshall

Space Flight Center this month to head the new southwestern

regional office to be located at the Manned Spacecraft Center.

He has been at the Huntsville office for more than two

years.

A native of Clayton, N. Y., McAvoy was graduated from

Cornell University in 1949 and served 10 years as an FBI

agent.

He is also a World War II verteran and former semi-pro

baseball player.

The NASA Inspections Division is assigned the responsi-

bility of establishing and conducting a program to prevent

and detect unethical or illegal conduct on the part of NASA

employees and NASA contractors

This will be the fourth field office and will open

August 2.
 ..... - i -' ' i .........: _ l· .__-_:£:i__ _-
?

Jul _, 8 1965

-- _v_ er:plo_zees -- or me:.oers of mnelr

families ---- from the N_n,._Q S_c_c_a_ _.__ anQ its contractors

wi__ sec aside _ ' -- ' the S'CACa ace zor %ilree evenings next

w_.. _._ temporarmiy enter the tkeanricai _ --s

·
The group will stage -
_ varisty -
snow v_-_ _ =s "Vaudeville
' "'_ _ -_ -'-_
x_v____

i _- ii

The skow, sponsorec sy _.._ _.._ __.,?_,_,7_=___

Activities ASSOCiLLiOL,

will 'De ' '? ..... iy 16 -'_* .....

_,ccorQin 9 to f,.zl r.a:ourger, preszQs<_e _-_- ' - '"-'' _ -

Activities Association, '<_

z_a_ employees anQ "guests _r_.u t..e Houston-

Galveston areas" _re- invi-aed. A. one .....

_o_z__ donation ix recuzrea'
' ' _._
....

a QF?,_S S ion .

Ail proceeds will go to m ...... _ '-_*--; .... _ __ ......>;eLiorhc --'

&

Libraries at Houston _ _ _ College .... - .... -=_ -_ Oft,/,

formed after Astronaut Freeman ios'a :_.,__- ___:-'

=e _..-'_
a g-ao_° crash lass

- -'
g,_en_v-_ve-_.- separate 6C_J_'-- are :eaAurea in "VauaevA_=e RevLsALc, Q

'65" which musicaiiv carries .ne audience from _'_^ days of vaudeville
4

to man's endeavors iR outer space.

----_ROr e - -
_. C- ,m

fOE AiL .lC_ .

z-x/:{_=
NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION

MANNED
SPACECRAFT
HU 3-5111 I'_C 65-68
August 2, 1965
i

HOUSTON, TEXAS -- The first prototype of a liquid model of a

portable life support system (PLSS) has been delivered to the Crew

Systems Division at the Manned Spacecraft Center.

The unit, which weighs approximately 60 pounds, is designed for

use with the water-cooled undergarment which the astronauts will

-_ear beneath the Extravehicular Mobility Unit or space suit on the

lunar surface.

The water-cooled undergarment cools the astronaut by Conduting

P

the metabolic heat generated by his motions into water which is cir-

culating through a network of plastic tubing in contact with the

skin. The water carries the heat into the PLSS, which recools and

recirculates the water.

Interface testing with the undergarment will be conducted here,

followed by performance testing on a treadmill and control and dis-

play checkout. A total of 52 units, including flight hardware, are

scheduled for delivery by Hamiltoh Standard, Windsor Locks, Connecticut,

prime contractor for the PLSS.

fl ii Ii
al 4a ir
NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPA'CE ADMINISTRATION

MANNED , Ho,u -kor.

HU 3-5111 MSC 65-69
August 2, 1965

&

HOUSTON, TEXAS -- NASA Manned Spacecraft Center has selected the

Dynalectron Corporation of Fort Worth, Texas, for negotiation of a

contract to provide maintenance support for aircraft assigned to MSC.

The contract will cover field-level aircraft maintenance, modi-

fication and repair support for MSC aircraft, as well as supply sup-

-orr and flight-line servicing of MSC and transient aircraft-oriented

research and development programs.

Dynalectron was selected for this negotiation in competition

P

with 12 other companies.

The proposed contract, which will be a cost-plus-award-fee type,

will be for a one-year period and will include provisions for negoti-

ations of two one-year renewals. The government's estimate for the

first year's contract cost is in excess of $500,000.

Aircraft assigned to MS t exclusive of transient aircraft, include

five T-38A and eleven T-33A astronaut flight-readiness training air-

craft, one Convair 240 used as an electronics research and develop-

ment test bed and three helicopters -- two H-13's used in astronaut

trainingland one H-34 used in research and development activities.

 I ;;li'A'l l[d
NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND
;;Iq
SPACE ADMINISTRATION
-_I'-1
,..INNEDSPACECRAFT
,_. _/___Hous_on
_CENTER__I. Taxa s
HU 3-5111 MSC 65-70
July 21, 1965

HOUSTON, TEXAS -- A helicopter used in astronaut train-

ing was damaged slightly today during a practice autorotation

landing by Astronaut Russell Schweickart. Schweickart was not

injured.

Joseph Algranti, Chief of the MSC Aircraft Operations

Office, said the tail rotor system received minor damage when

it struck the ground during the flare-out {or a landing at

Clover Field near Frinedswood. Algranti said such incidents

are common during simulated power-off landings.

NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION

MANNED
SPACE,RAFT
NTER..ousto.
I. Texas

HU 3-5111 MSC 65-71

August 4, 1965

HOUSTON, TEXAS -- Construction is underway at the Manned

Spacecraft Center on a new three-story office and laboratory

building for the Crew Systems Division.

The Division, responsible for space suits and the space-

craft environmental system, currently co-occupies Building 4

with the Flight Crew Operations Division.

The new $1,764 million building will be located adjacent

to Building 7, the Crew Systems High Bay Laboratory area. The

two buildings will be connected by a first floor passageway.

The building will cover approximately 54,000 feet in area

and be 207 feet long by 76 feet wide. The long axis of the

building will be parallel to the existing Building 7. It is

expected to be ready for occupancy by March 1966.

IJllll
NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION

CENTE 1, Texas
August 4, 1965
NASA Headquarters Release No. 65-260

T_Ni_EEFIRMS SELECTED TO DESIGN APOLLO LUNAR SURFACE PACKAGE ( _ ? _ f/¥ _ _'

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration selected

three firms today to design the Apollo Lunar Surface Experiments

Packages (ALSEP) under separate and concurrent $500,000 six-month,

fixed-price contract. The firms are Bendix, Houston Division,

Bendi× Corporation, Ann Arbor, Michigan; Space-General Corporation,

E1 Monte, California; and TRW Systems Corporation, Thompson, Ramo,

Wooldridge, Redondo Reach, California.

The packages will contain scientific instruments to measure

the moon's structure and surface characteristics, atmosphere, heat

flow, solar winds, radiation and micrometeorite impacts.

They will be carried to the moon in the Lunar Excursion Module

on the initial Apollo flight and placed on the surface by astronauts.

The instruments will transmit data back to earth for six months to

one year. Weight of each package will be less than 150 pounds.

Contracts call for the firms to deliver mockups of the

e×perlments package to %he NASA Manned Spacecraft Center, Houston,

and to Grum_man Aircraft Engineering Corporation, Bethpage, New York,

manufacturer of the Apollo Lunar Excursion Module, about March 1, 1966.

--more--
August _, 1965
NASA Hqs. Release No. 65-260

Add 1....

After a review and evaluation of contractor performance, NASA

_lans to select one of the firms to develop the ALSEP flight hardware

under a cost-plus-incentlve-fee contract.

The three companies were among nine firms which responded to

requests for proposals issued by the Manned Spacecraft Center in

June 1965.
NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE
mi ADMINISTRATION

ANNEDSPACECRAFT ,_Hous4 on
ICENTER ' '__1. Texas
HUnter 35111 MSC 65-72
August 4, 1965

HOUSTON, TEXAS -- Personnel of the Manned Spacecraft Center, Houston,

Texas will be augmented to meet the increasing tempo of Gemini and

Apollo manned spaceflight operations.

In the first of these actions, approximately 200 personnel will be

transferred from the Marshall Space Flight Center, Huntsville, Alabama,

to the Manned Spacecraft Center over the next ten months.

Dr. George E. Mueller, Associate Administrator for Manned Space

Flight said the completion of the first phase of the Saturn program

with the successful launch of SA-10 had made it possible for the

Marshall Space Flight Center to make personnel available for Saturn

Apollo operational activities at the Manned Spacecraft Center.

The total number of personnel to be provided from other NASA

activities has not yet been determined.

II
IJ
II
, _, _© :'_._L A--mU "',:.-,U , ,CS A_'qD C- D _..;; .., ....
w -:-Z.........

h% 3-5111 MS_ 65-73

August 13, 1965

128 AiR FORCE OFFICERS ASSIGNED TO NASA'S _,_.N_ED_'_

_ SP_C_CP_A,
_' _ _"_'_'l Cz;-_TER_'-
'

HOUSTON, TEXAS -- The National Aeronautics and Space Administra-

tion and the Air Force have signed an agreement whereby 128 Air

Force Officers will be detailed to NASA's _,ianned Spacecraft Cen-

ter, Houston, for 2 years.

Thezr· assignments in F__ _= Operations at the Center will

augment NASA Flight Operatzons organization wnmze p_ov_c_ng the

officers with on-the-job ....

___l_l_g
'_'-_ and exloerzence in =_o
.... operational

control of manned space flight.

The ='_
_z_s_ =- group of officers '
arrzvec - for duty at _,¢- Center
'-_-

earlier this month. Others will follow e_c.,,

--'- month _,_m_ _,._rch

1966 for a total of 128 officers -- 6 majors, 3S c_pta_.,_-

:_, and

84 lieutenants.

They will be staffed into _.e

_% Flight Crew Operations Director-

ate on the same basis as NASA employees.

NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND AD v N!$T[qATiON
.%

ZL2 _ . ¢i 5 512Z7 _ZZC ' : .... __- ......... ' . ,

HU 3-5111 MSC 65-74

August 13, 1965

NASA SELECTS LOCKHEED FOR SUPPORT SERVICES AT HOUSTON CENTER

HOUSTON, TEXAS -- The National Aeronautics and Space Administra-

tion today announced the selection of Lockheed Electronics Company,

Clark, N. J., for a contract covering operational support services

for laDora_orzes and test facilities at the NASA _iSC, Houston.

The contract is a cost-plus-award-fee with cost-incentive fea-

tures. It contains options for four additional one-year periods,

each to be negotiated. First year costs are expected to be about

.8 million dollars.

The contract will provide for support services at the instru-

mentation and electronic laboratory, information systems laboratory,

guidance and control laboratory and space environmental laboratory.

Contractor responsibility will include test preparation, pro-

cedures and operation, test data recording, analysis and reporting,

instrument calibration, design and fabrication of test gear and

experimental breadboard, circuits and computer program_ming, main-

tenance and operation.

NASA solicited 128 firms, Dece£_J0er 3, 1964. Of these, 48 at-

tended a pre-p_oposal c_n_=_nc=

" _-........ _December !6. _'1964.

Li.,g-.e.,co-Vou_ht, mnc., Dallas, and Lockheed were selected last

April for final competitive negotiations.

 , ° °

HUnter 3-5111 iCSC 65--/5

August _,_
_ 1965

HOUSTON, TEXAS -- Gemini 5 As___._s

- _--_'..... L. Gordon Coo_er and

Charles Conrad wzll undergo intensive _'-- _'_ _ ........

for !! days zol!owz_ nn_z_ mission, _x=.Sz-.sazc _oc_y.

·
_'_,zs unbroken perloc' - of -^s_ _,-,
r.c_-,_=m --= .......... =z._ _
_c_=_ 'p___,_
z'_e- resorting

in seclusion zs necessary to '-=-_- = _2, e iv,_xi.iil_22_ _c=c_z_=_ _no

technical informaticn _'_ ....... :- _-%_

"Produclr. O_ sc!en-_IiiC ailo 'cecai%IC_.. _zz=u=_._ull =_ _-z.,u pur_oose

of the flight, said Dr. George E. 2=u=!le=, =_ssocla-ce =_o._ln==_z==o_

for 14anned Snace

~ _l=g.:_, "tnzs iXZ orFAa_ l_n _a

the effects of long dura-croon fli6'hz ox .... ?.... s_s-cex_s axe zn

proving out zil_i_ systems for fu'ture _z__.._':_

_ _'_-_°. "

News media will be .......

'=_
p_.,_l_eu _ to Dieotogra'sll '....
_ as'aroa_._ on

the Lake Cna=.plazn on tnsmr departure ',-rom zne snlp -' _ =__=s==

at Cape Kennedy aha on tne=r d=_ere from Ca'ce Kennedy __s arrlva_

Folmowlng _.%e il-day c==.-= .... . _'r :_< , _-h_ q>::,ixi 5 crew

___ _ raaco avalia_ie sot a press coN. terence c_,..,._ o'er.er _-_

aCt!Vi_ies .

TT-?,_?
 '_ J , ,& · ,, __

NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION

'" '''

%'Jnte_ 3-5111 MZC 65-76

August 16_ 1965

HOUSTOhT_ TEY_AS -- _Sni!e the United States watches the progress of Gemini V

from their homes, over !00 outste_nding science studen+s will view the mission from

the M_ned Spacecraft Center Auditor?sm ss part of the program for the _iSC Conference

for Science Fair _Ti_ners on Aucsst 26 and 27, 1965.

The students are winners of _[ASA sw_,rds at regional and state science fairs

in the states of Texas, 0k_ahoma, I':ewMe_ico_ Co!orado_ )[ebraska, Kansas, North

Dakota] smd South Dakota. Each student prepared an exhibit to display his inves-

tigations into a particular br__nchof the s_ace sciences. Awards were presented

=* five categories: spaee life sciences; space physical sciences; space vehic!es_

propulsion systems_ s_nd aerod}ms_mics_ eom_u_nications_ navigation _nd instrumentation;

__nd astronomy/ and p!anets_y studies.

Also attending will be the winners of }[ASA awards at the Houston Seminar of

Hi6h School Science. Each student competing in +he seminar presented a_n original

paper relating to his studies in a particular scientif4c area.

MSC ma_nagement s_nd engineering personnel will discuss various aspects of the

Center's activities during the first day of the Conference. Following opening

remarks by Paul Ha_ney, Pablic A_fairs Officer_ talks will be presented by Paul

Parser, Special Assistant to the Director_ Dr. Joseph Shea_ Msm.ager of the Apollo

Spacecraft Progrem_ ,%ndre J. Meyer, Senior Assistsm.t to the Mana6er of the Gemini

Progrs_m; Captain Charles __assett_ I.._ASA

Astronaut_ William Stoney, Chief of the

Advanced Spacecraft Tecieno!o_¢ Division' smd Burney Goodwin_ Chief of the

_ruiting Brs-nch. Personnel Division.

 Astronauts Gordon Coel:_r _nd Charles Conrad this

afternoon began a detailed assessment of their eight day

flight after their first meal ashore, a hearty luncheon of

macaroni and ham.

Dr. Charles A. Berry, MSC medical operations officer,

said he was pleased with the weight gain both pilots showed

in the first day after their flight. Weight statistics today

showed that Cooper had gained back six of the seven and a half

pounds he lost during the flight. Conrad showed a similar

gain by recapturing four of the eight and a half pounds he lost.

Cooper's preflight weight was 152 pounds. Two and a half

hours after recovery his weight was _ 4-5/8 pounds. At 3 p.m.

today he weighed 150-3/4. He weighed 145-1/2 pounds at his

first post flight weigh-in abe rd the carrier and by this after-

noon he was back to 149-3/8.

Dr. Berry says that while the heart rate and blood pressures

of both pilots were not quiet back to pge-flight normals, they

seemed to correlate very closely to the experience of the Gemini

4 crew. It took Gemini 4 astronauts McDivitt and White about

two days before they returned to their pre-flight rates.

Neither Gemini 5 crewmen reported any symptoms of seasick-

ness during the 40-odd minutes they spent in their spacecraft

awaiting pickup. They said the sea was like a mill pond and

they were comfortable in their spacecraft and their suits with

the hatches closed.

Ldd 10 Gemini pilots release

After lunch, Conrad lef_ the third floor crew quarters in

the Manned Space Flight Operations Building on Merritt Island

and went to the opposite end of the building for a 50 minutes

blood pressure evaluation tilt-table exercise. While Conrad was

on the table, Cooper spent about one hour with two MSC physicians

discussing medical aspects of the flight. At 2:30 Cooper underwent

the tilt exercise and Conrad had a medicalinterview.

By 3:30 p.m. the two pilots began making technical assessments

of the flight, talking into tape recorders and responding to

questions about the flight put to them by Donal K. Slayton,

Assistant Director for Flight Crew Operations and B. J. Thomas, an

MSC flight crew operations staff officer. Discussions this after-

noon covered the countdown, powered flight, and insertion into

orbit.

Tomorrow morning the crew will start the day with a quick : _ j_

medical check, following a 45 minute tilt examination for each

man, before resuming the technical de-briefing at 9:30. At

some point Tuesday, both men plan to work out in the small gym

in the crew quarters. Items to be covered in Tuesday's technical

discussion include, orbital flight, retro-fire, reentry, landing

and recovery.
 Tonight the astronau_h '_lll dine on steaks, baked potatoes,

string beans and blueberry pie.

Slayton said the men planned to get another good night's

rest before resuming the detailed technical discussions.

After Tuesday, their schedule goes like this:

Wednesday -- Technical de-briefing covering system opera-

tions, visual sightings and experiments.

Thursday -- premission planning, mission control, training

and, hopefully, return to Houston.

Friday -- A day-long discussion of overall mission with

Gemini project and NASA management officials at the Manned

Spacecraft Center in Houston.

Saturday -- Day-long discussion with Gemini VI and VII

crews.

Sunday -- The crew will spend the day identifying the sev-

eral hundred pictures they took during their journey. They will

do this by comparing flight log entries with exposed film.

Monday -- Detailed systems de-briefing will begin with

small groups from project office and various systems _pecialities.

The system specialists will have read in detail the report of the

first four days of technical de-briefings. They mill cover the

radar evaluation pod, communications, instrumentation, electrical

pyro techni and landing systems.

j-
 Tuesday -- Systems de-briesi _ ox guioance and control

propulsion, the Gemini launch vehicle, environmental control.

Wednesday -- The crew will review each experiment with

the planned experimenters to develop a general session on the

effectiveness of Gemini V experiments program.

f
Thursday -- A general news conference at a time yet to

be determined.
 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE August 31, 1965

Office of the White House Press Secretary

The White House

The President today approved the following policy on the

promotion and decoration of astronauts.

1. Each military astronaut will receive a one grade pro-

motion as a direct result of the first successful space flight,

but not beyond the grade of colonel in the Air Force and Marine

Corps or Captain in the Navy. Promotions to general officer rank

will be accomplished through usual military selection board

processes.

2. Each Gemini astronaut will be awarded the NASA medal

for exceptional service (or cluster) after completion of a suc-

cessful space flight. The NASA medal for distinguished service,

the highest award which can be given by that agency, will be

awarded for exceptional accomplishments in the Gemini program, in-

cluding but not limited to accomplishments in the Gemini program.

3. Military decorations associated with space flights,

such as awards for exception herosim or other distinguished service,

will be determined on an individual basis consistent with general

policy governing the award of traditional military decorations.

 8-31-65

THE FIRST STATUS REPORT ON THE DEBRIEFING OF THE GEMINI-5

PRIME CREW WILL BE PIPED INTO THE MSC NEWS CENTER AUDITORIUM

OF NASSAU BAY BUILDING 6 AT 12:00 NOON TODAY FROM CAPE

KENNEDY. PRINCIPALS INVOLVED IN THE BRIEFING INCLUDE DONALD K.

SLAYTON, ASST. DIRECTOR FOR FLIGHT CREW OPERATIONS AND DR.

CHARLES BERRY, CHIEF OF CENTER MEDICAL PROGRAMS.

 i! : A
WATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION

_ .NEDSPACECRAFT_-?_fl, . _:7_o_s_o_
.... :CENTERI J '
HUnter 3-5111 MSC 65-77
September 2, 1965

HOUSTON, TEXAS -- Manned testing of the paraglider landing

system was resumed at Edwards AFB, California today as North American

test pilot Donald F. McCusker flew the delta glider wing from the

crew station of a boilerplate Gemini spacecraft.

There have been two previous manned flights, with the last

flight taking place in December 1964. The new series of manned

flights is designed to obtain quantitative aerodynamic data, develop

navigational techniques, and develop operational procedures for

_ling various wind conditions. The program is being conducted

by North American Aviation S&ID for the NASA Manned Spacecraft Center.

In each manned test, the vehicle will be towed to 8,000 feet by

a Sikorsky S-61 helicopter and released. The pilot will glide back

to the landing point using visual pilotage and radio navigation

techniques.

Warren North, Chief of the Flight Crew Support Division, described

todays flight as "excellent, with a good flare and a good landing".

The paraglider is a steerable wing with a lift-to-drag ratio

of three which was originally conceived to provide a land landing

capability for the Gemini spacecraft. However, the wing could not

--more--
 MSC 65-77
_d 1 ..... September 2, 1965

be developed in time to be included in Gemini flights and has been

continued as an operational research project.

A series of unmanned tests, using radio-controlled vehicles,

were performed before the start of manned testing.

NOTE TO EDITORS SEPTEMBER 9, 1965

A Super Guppy will be on display for news media representatives

at Ellington AFB from 2 to 4 p.m. today. The airplane, designed

large
with the capability of transporting/launch vehicle stages, is

undergoing test flights. John M. Conroy, President of Aero

Spacelines, which owns the airplane, will be available to news-

men for questions. The Super Guppy is at Ellington for a

"showing" to MSC officials.

 ,. "9

_i
i_'2__I_unt " • "
MSC 65-78 •
:;""";'_":
, '__ ', _':..-::.;
_'__:
_: _* ' "" •

eptember 15, 1965 -'.':-: .._t_z... ;:

.-.... HOUSTON, TEXAS -- A rusty, .collapsed and twisted piece of

,T
...._
;i:metal with a p_cked parachute attached was found in Galveston _
_j ,, :;::
• !!._
!.
i- " _"
'_:!_,::_:!_'S-_Bay
recently by ,a:shrimp boat .crew, solving the whereabouts of

a long lost NASA, test spacecraft.

:. The spac'ecraft, a Mercury Boilerplate, was lost May 31, 1962

during the first drop test made by NASA in Galveston Bay. The

t_ c was conducted in the bay area by the landing and recovery

division of NASA's Manned Spacecraft Center.

The drop test was one of the first outward signs of activity

by the newly-arrived NASA organization in Houston. The drop was

supported by elements of the 446th Troop Carrier Wing, USAF Reserve.

The purpos'.e of the test was to qualify a new method for de-

,,_ ploying a spacecraft in preparation for conducting tests of a

gliding parach_te system.

A lanyard was to have pulled the parachute out of the cannister

in the spacecraft, as it left the aircraft. The line broke and

the'2,150 pound Mercury boilerplate fell 1500 feet into Galveston

A search was conducted but proved futile when the hulk was

apparently buried in the mud.

--more--
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NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION

MANNED
SPACECRAFT
..Uouson
,,
exa s
HU 3-5111 MSC 65-79
September 1% 1965

NASA TO SELECT ADDITIONAL PILOT-ASTRONAUTS

HOUSTON, TEXAS -- The NASA will begin immediately recruiting to select

admitional pilot-astronauts for manned spaceflight missions.

To be eligible for selection applicants must: 1. Be a citizen of the

United States; be no taller than 6 feet; and have been born on or after-

December 1, 1929. 2. Have a Bachelor's Degree in Engineering, Physical,

or Biological Science. 3. Have acquired 1000 hours jet pilot time or have

graduated from an armed forces test pilot school.

Military applicants must apply through their respective services. Others

should send applications, postmarked no later than midnight December 1, 1965

directly to: Pilot-Astronaut, P. O. Box 2201, Houston_ Texas.

All applicants must be able to pass a class-1 flight physical examination_

which requires 20-20 uncorrected vision. Civilian applicants and military
reservists should submit a standard Civil Service form 57, application for

Federal Employment_ available at all U.S. Post Offices_ or a resume of their

employment experience and academic training. Civilian applicants also should

send a statement of their total jet flying time.

The selection process will be completed next spring and the new pilot-

astronauts will report for duty at the NASA Manned Spacecraft Center in the

summer of 1966.
The criteria are the same as those used in selecting 14 pilot-astronauts

in 1963, with the exception of hirthdate.

There are presenvly 28 pilot-astronauts and 5 scientist-astronauts participating
in the NASA manned space flight program. Recruitment of additional pilot-astronauts

is necessary to insure availability of an adequate number of flight crews for

Project Apollo and future manned missions. Within the next year NASA plans to
recruit additional scientist-astronauts.

###
NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION

.,._,_,.,Eu
SPACEC2AFTF._....-.if..--,
.... _CENTE .:5_._,_ , > O.._/;-;¢.
'::
':;
:,;
r'-
;:
,-_Zu'3-5111 MSC 65-80
September 13, 1965

HOUS[PON, TEXAS -- The Manned Spacecraft centrifuge facility

was whirled for the first time last week, as Westinghouse Electric

Co. engineers began tests on the large direct current motor which

is the hub of the system.

The 50 foot arm of the centrifuge, which is designed to reproduce

the gravity forces of launch or reentry, was spun at three revolu-

tions per minute for a period of approximately one hour.

The 6,700 horsepower motor drove the weight of the arm, gimbel

ring, and gondola ring. It will be tested at its maximum rate of

42 rpm by the Westinghouse team. Beginning in October, MSC engineers

will begin using the facility to conduct acceptance tests, check

the safety features, and train operators for the facility.

NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION

MANNED
SPACECRA _Hous41:on
_CENT . Texas

HU 3-511t MSC 65-81

September 17, 1965

HOUSTON, TEXAS -- Long-duration Apollo flights will carry more

than 5,000 pounds of scientific experimentation aboard an experi-

ments pallet scheduled to fly for the first time in 1968.

Thirty-six prospective bidders met at the NASA Manned Spacecraft

Center Wednesday for briefings at a pre-proposal conference, and may

compete for two research and development contracts of $375,000

each.

The one or two industrial contractors selected for four-month

study contracts will develop a design concept, detailed specifi-

cations, mock-ups and a firm cost proposal for the second phase

of the program involving a cost plus incentive contract to develop

flight hardware.

Flight hardware in this case will be an experiments pallet

which will occupy one of the six pie-shaped segments of the Apollo

service module. The other sections contain electrical power, en-

vironmental systems, fuel tanks and propulsion to sustain the three-

man command module in space.

--mot e--
Add 1
MSC 65-81

The pallet consists of a basic structure to support scientific

experiments, interconnectors to make use of other Apollo subsystems,

plus supplementary subsystems designed to support specific experi-

ments.

It is intended to operate for periods of up to two weeks in

space, and to be monitored and controlled by the Apollo crew. Since

the service module does not re-enter the atmosphere with the crew,

some of the experimentation will be retrieved by extravehicular

astronauts -- "space walkers" -- and returned aboard the command

module.

Space in the pallet will be divided and shelved to allow

installation of various experimental equipment, with enough flexi-

bility to provide special installations for particular missions.

Other sections of the pallet will be devoted to subsystems, such

as batteries, which will provide the power for a variety of experi-

ments.

Experiments to be carried in long-duration Apollo flights

include some which may require extension "booms" to drive experi-

mental equipment to positions as far from the spacecraft as 25

feet. Others involve removable sections that can be retrieved

by an astronaut who would leave the command module during orbital

--more--
Add 2
MSC 65-81

flight. Still others would record data and transmit it to the

ground tracking network via VHF and S-Band radio.

A list of the characteristic type of experiments which would

be mounted on the pallet is given below:

_ITLE:

Radar Scattering Cross-section Measurements of Terrain

OBJECTIVE:

To determine the radar scattering across sections of different

kinds of terrain from orbital attitude. This information will

be of great value to geoscientists. Such measurements offer

the opportunity to provide gross aerial averages of such quan-

tities as terrain geometry, ground cover conditions, amount of

forest land and other earth properties. The correlation of these

data with maps, photographs, etc. will be of value to the designers

of imaging radars.

TITLE:

Temperature Sounding of the Atmosphere from a Manned Earth Orbiting

Spacecraft

OBJECTIVE:

The primary objective of this experiment is the temperature sound-

ing of the earth's atmosphere from a spacecraft. Knowledge of

--more--
Add 3
MSC 65-81

the temperature structure of the atmosphere extended to high

altitudes and over wide geographical area is of great significance

to the understanding of the earth's meteorology. This experiment

will also be of interest for planetary studies.

TITLE:

Ultraviolet Mapping of the Celestial Sphere in the 1230 to 1700

Angstrom Band

OBJECTIVE:

To map the sky in the 1230 to 1700 A band, thereby determining

the far ultraviolet brightness of a large number of early type

stars. Further, to use these data to determine how accurately

the far ultraviolet brightness of a star can be predicted from

its special classification and visual magnitude, and to extend

the law governing interstellar absorption into the far ultra-

violet.

Expected results:

a. Maps of the sky in the 1230-1700 A band.

b. The luminosity of the ultraviolet emissions from regions

of emission nebulosity.

c. Data on peculiar objects of unusual far ultraviolet

luminosity.
--more--
Add 4
MSC 65-81

d. Data on extragalactic far ultraviolet objects.

e. Observations of far ultraviolet zodical light and

gegenschein.

f. Dispersion stellar spectra of selected starfields.

TITLE:

X-ray Astronomy

OBJECTIVE:

The purpose of the experiment shall be to continue the study of

X-ray sources outside the solar system. These sources cannot be

studied from the Earth due to absorption of the X-rays in the

atmosphere. The scientific objectives of the proposed experiment

are:

a. To determine the positions of the known X-ray sources to

better than a tenth of a degree.

b. To measure the X-ray spectrum from the stronger sources.

c. To observe certain objects of astronomical interest for

evidence of X-ray emission. These objects would include

strong radio emission centers, the galactic center, the

ecliptic and certain extra-galactic objects such as super-

nova remnants.

d. To scan the galactic equator for X-ray sources.

--more--
Add 5
MSC 65-81

e. To measure the relative and absolute strengths of X-ray

emission from the sources.

f. To monitor the solar X-ray flux.

g. To observe the setting of X-ray sources below the Earth's

horizon.

h. To perform a random scan of the sky in order to acquire

information about the X-ray background.

TITLE:

Spark Chamber for Galactic Gamma Ray

OBJECTIVE:

To detect and map galactic gamma ray sources.

TITLE:

Nuclear Emulsion

OBJECTIVE:

Nuclear emulsion allows the detection and identification of par-

ticles over a greater range of energies than is possible with any

other single detection system. A study of heavy primary cosmic

ray nuclei (HPN) yields information on the origin of primary

cosmic radiation and on the interstellar materials and fields

they have traversed. If such studies can be made at several times

during the ll-year solar cycle, one can also learn something about

the solar modulation process.

--more--
Add 6
MSC 65-81

TITLE:

Measurement of Atmospheric Iodine from Orbit

OBJECTIVE:

To provide new evidence on the geochemical cycle of iodine and

its possible relationship to marine life at the oceans surface

and the application of this method to other geochemical relation-

ships.

TITLE:

Zero Gravity Studies of Physical Properties

OBJECTIVE:

At zero gravity certain basic physical properties of solids and

liquids have not been established. Among these are:

a. Thermal conductivity

b. Capillary flow

c. Liquid drop behavior

A controlled environment chamber in orbital flight would offer an

opportunity to measure the special properties at zero gravity.

TITLE:

Frog Otolith Functions during Zero Gravity

OBJECTIVE:

To record the bioelectric action potentials of the vestibular

nerve in the bull frog during weightlessness and repeated

--more--
Add 7
MSC 65-81

accelerations (obtained by spinning the animals on a small rotator)

and to determine the adaptability of the otolith system to weight-

lessness and acceleration during extended periods of flight. In-

formation to be obtained on stimulus-response relationships in

the vestibular system under zero-gravity conditions and on the

adaptability of the animal are an important step forward in the

investigation of biodynamic factors and their effects on living

systems.

#_
NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION

mANNED
SPACECRAFT /._ _ Hous4bon
ENTER .,a'm. Texas
HU 3-5111 MSC 65-82
September 20, 1965

HOUSTON, TEXAS -- The Gemini 7 spacecraft has successfully

completed altitude chamber tests, with the prime and backup

flight crews having spent about 4 hours each in the spacecraft

in an environment equivalent to 150,000 feet altitude.

Conducted at the McDonnell Aircraft Corp., St. Louis, prime

contractor for the Gemini spacecraft, the tests constituted the

final acceptance check of the environmental control system. In

addition, all crew equipment was checked out at altitude.

The prime crew, Astronauts Frank Borman and James Lovell,

wore the lightweight suit which is under consideration for the

mission. The backup crew, Edward H. White, II and Michael collins,

wore regular Gemini space suits.

Spacecraft cabin pressure was maintained at 5 psi throughout

the tests except for a 45-minute period when the spacecraft was

depressurized and the hatch opened by the backup crew to check

the reaction of various items in the cabin in a near vacuum.

At Cape Kennedy, Fla., the Gemini 6 spacecraft has been

mechanically mated to its launch vehicle on launch complex 19.

_e operation clears the way for combined testing of both vehicles.

Electrical interface verification testing is now underway.

NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION

.NNED SPACECRAFT H°us*°n

CENTER -ileal. Texas
HUnter 3-5111 MSC 65-83
September 22, 1965

HOUSTON, TEXAS -- The National Aeronautics and Space Administration

today selected Ling Timco Vought, Inc., of Dallas, Texas for nego-

tiation of a contract to provide engineering support services at

White Sands Test Facility, White Sands Missile Range, New Mexico.

The facility is under the direction of the NASA Manned Spacecraft

Center, Houston.

A one-year-cost-plus-award-fee-contract is to be negotiated.

It will contain provisions for two additional one year renewals.

Estimated cost for the three year period is in excess of $5 million.

The contractor will operate five engineering laboratories in

the facility to support NASA in testing the propulsion systems of

the Apollo command, service and lunar excursion modules. The labora-

tories are data processing, materials and processes, electrical

measurements and standards, physical measurements and standards,

and systems design and testing. The work will require approxi-

mately 200 persons.

Ling Timco Vought was one of 17 firms which responded to re-

quest for proposal issued in June 1965 by the Manned Spacecraft

Center.
 I ;;;;l'A'
NATIONAL AERONAUTICS
;d ;;I mi
AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION
=
M,qNNED
SPACECRAFT
, ..Houston
_C EHIER_,._-.)__I. Taxa s
HUnter 3-5111 MSC 65-84
September 24, 1965

HOUSTON, TEXAS -- A support contract for control of radiation

source_ in space and on the groun_ for manned spacecraft has been

signed with Tracerlab, a Division of the Laboratory for Electronics.

The $132,000 contract provides for health physics and radia-

tion protection services. Health physics covers the hazard analyses,

monitoring, waste disposal, and decontamination of radiation sources

used at the Manned Spacecraft Center in experimental work, checkout,

and testing.

Radiation protection services includes studies performed on

spacecraft hardware and experiments which use radiation sources.

Safety standards and environmental tests will be determined and

must be met by each itme before it can be flown.

The handling and use of radioactive materials at MSC is

coordinated by the Radiological Control Committee, chaired by

the MSC Radiation Control Officer. Safety standards and procedures

for all radiation sources in use on site or in space are set up by

this committee.

Tracerlab will also assist in determining whether there would

_e any interaction between radiation sources onboard a spacecraft.

NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION

MANNED
SPACECRAFT
, H°ust°n
CENTER - Texas
HU 3-5111 MSC 65-85
September 25, 1965

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration today announced

that Gemini VI will be launched on a two-day mission from Cape Kennedy,

Florida, no earlier than Oct. 25. It will be man's first attempt to

rendezvous and dock with an orbiting space vehicle.

Pilots for Gemini 6 are astronauts walter M. Schirra and Thomas P.

Stafford. Backup pilots are Virgil I. Grissom and John W. Young. This

wl_ be Schirra's second space flight. His first was October 3, 1962

aboard Mercury spacecraft Sigma 7.

Prime objective of Gemini 6 is to prove out the ability of Gemini

to rendezvous and dock with an orbiting Agena vehicle. Secondary ob-

jectives of the flight include evaluating maneuverability of the two

undocked vehicles.

Two launches are required for the mission. The Gemini-Titan and

the Atlas-Agena. Both launch vehicles will be counted down simultaneously

to about T-101 minutes for Gemini. At this time the Atlas will be

launched to place the Agena into circular orbit of about 185 miles.

Following successful launches of both vehicles the first opportunity

fc - the Gemini launch will be one revolution or approximately 101 minutes

%dd 1
SC 65-85

after the Atlas Agena launch.

When the Agena has obtained proper orbit, Gemini VI will be

launched into an orbit of about 100 miles perigee and 168 miles

apogee. During the first three revolutions of Gemini VI the

astronauts will maneuver their spacecraft into a circular orbit of

about 168 miles, approximately 17 miles below the Agena.

On the fourth revolution, as the Gemini spacecraft passes over

the Atlantic Ocean, the astronauts will begin terminal rendezvous

maneuvers for a planned docking with the Agena between Australia

and Hawaii.

Only attitude maneuvers are translations maneuvers using

Gemini orbital Altitude And Maneuvering System (OAMS) will be

attempted while the two spacecraft are docked.

It is planned to dock and separate spacecraft several times

to provide experience ;with docking procedures. Each astronaut

will practice docking under day and night lighting conditions.

Following final separation the astronauts will use the spacecraft

radar to transmit commands to the Agena to gather additional data

on Agena visibility st different altitudes and distances.

About 10 hours of flight time have been planned for rendezvous

and docking activities. However, based on experience in previous

-7_ights, the Gemini VI flight plan will be flexible to provide

whatever time is needed to accomplish these activities.

Add 2
MSC 65-85

Scientific and medical experiments for Gemini VI are pre-

sently under consideration.

Total flight time for Gemini VI will be about 46 hours and 47

minutes from liftoff to landing. Landing is planned in the Atlantic

Ocean about 330 miles south of Bermuda.

Following recovery of the astronauts, ground command will be

used to perform various Agena exercises. These are to test Agena

command and control, useful liftime and maneuver capabilities.

Gemini VI marks the halfway point of Project Gemini. Of the

remaining six flights, five will be rendezvous missions and one,

Gemini VII, will be a long duration flight lasting up to 14 days.

NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION

MANNED
SPACECRAFT ,_Houston
CENTER Texa S
MSC 65-86
HU 3-5111 '' October 7, 1965

HOUSTON_ TEXAS -- The technology developed in the steerable para-

chute program using a Gemini boi_erplate is now planned for application

to Apollo-type spacecraft_ it was announced here today.

"The identical method use_ in the first parasail test series will

be applied to demonstrate the technology for vehicles of the weight and

size of Apollo," said Maxime Faget, Assistant Director fo _ Engineering

and Development, "We are using the knowhow acquired in the parasail

program in the development of a new system."

The last test drop using the Gemini boilerp!ate was conducted

successfully at Fort Hood, Texas, on July 30. The vehicle landed

within forty feet of the target point, using two small braking rockets

to cushion its mescent.

In the new test series_ two most promising types of' gliding para-

chutes will be developed. Northrop Ventura of Van Nuys, California,

has been awarded a contract for $302,797 to develop a cloverleaf

gliding chute and Pioneer Parachute Co., Manchester_ Connecticut has

been awarded a $186,997 contract for design and development of a large

controllable parachute.

Initial flight testing will be done with a half scale model of

an Apollo boi!erplate. The results of these tests will determine which

type of parachute will be used with a full scale Apollo boilerplate.

--more--
Add 1 ......

The half scale model will use onTy the chutes and turn motors.

The full scale morsels will test all the components of the gliding

parachute-lan_ing rocket system.

Three contracts for analytical studies have already peen awarded.

Bem}ix Aerospace_ South Bend, Indiana, has received a $116,000 contract

for a computer study on landing dynamics of the Apollo command module.

North A_erican Aviation, Do__ey, California, has been awa-,'ded$677000

for a saudy on mechanical system impact design_ and Hayes International,

Birmingham, Alabaraa_ has received a study cont_act for _88,987 for soil

erosion character:istics caused Oy landing rocket firings.

The Landing _=echnology Branch of Structures and Mechanics Division,

Ergineering and Develoement Directorate_ is reseonsioie for technicai

sseervision of the erogrsz_.

/i f/ii Il
77V?, 7_
NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION

IVI.NHEDSPACECRAFT ,_Houston
ENTE Texas
MSC65-$7
HU 3-5111 October 8_ 1965

HOUSTON_ TE_S -- U.S. astronauts aren't just the world's most

experienced space trave±ers.

The NASA Manned Spacecraft Center pilots are among the world's

most accomplished photographers.

And through photography_ they have extenmea their talents into the

diverse fields of oceanography_ astronomy_ meteorology_ geology and

cartography.

Ever since Col. John Glenn roared into space with a camera aboard

the Mercury spacecraft, "Friendship 7_" back in 1962, Americans have

been treated to extraordinary views of an earth man is only beginning

to understand.

Today_ after seeing hu_drems of photographs taken by NASA's busy

astronaut-photographers, scientists the world over are proclaiming

their value. Praise has mostly oeen summed up in a single word:

More.

Geologists in Mexico_ for instance_ may discover their country

anew through spaeeborne photography. Pictures taken by Gemini pilots

James McDivitt and Edward H. _ite have shown geologic faults not

identified in more than a century of study.

Mexico's Ague Blanca fault zone_ so obvious in photos taken from

space D was only recognized by geologists in 1956_ aha even then it

rook aerial reconnaissance to find it.

--more--
Add 1 ......

The Pinacate w_lcanic fielm in Mexico has been kno_sl for centsmies_

yet i%s boundaries are not sho_n_ on maps as recent as _960. Gemini

photos taken this year identify the fie±d clearly.

Oceanographers from the Mediterranean to the Gslf of Ca!ifernia

have idac,tidied bottom topography from p_otographs taken by Merc_k_y and

Gemini astronauts. They have noticed sediment distribution *rom rivers

into g_±fs, ancl a_e studying the possioiiity of limited depth mapping

vhro_gh space-taken photos.

Weathermen_ 5eo_ are interested in tracing patterns aefined in

orbital altitude pictsres.

But more tha_ just photographs are involved. On-the-spot reports

b astronauts, such as those provided by L. Gordon Cooper and Charles

Conrad from Gemini V, are equalk valuable.

Cooper and Conrad reported T_hoon Doreen in mid-Paci{ic muring

choir 65th revolution o* the earth when nebodF knew where the storm

was. Their information was transmitted to the gro_m_d_ and the weather

b,_reau in San Francisco pkhlished an advisory to sea and air traf_'ic

the same day.

Astronomers have kno_.s=about a mysterioks glow in the sky for years_

and they call it gegenschein -- "counter glow." it has baffled them_

and defied every attempt at photegraphy from the earth.

Cooper and Conrad photographed it for the first time during their

eight-day flight in August. Milky haze on their f_hm indicates that

gegenschein is re_ieetions from back-lighted particles in space_

particles of comets or asteroids_ b_t not pa_tie!es from earth.

--more--
Add 2 ......

Zodiacal !ight_ a tinge of light near the horizons at sunset and

sunrise_ has also been photographed by American astronauts. This

phenomenon is caused by reflected sunlight from dust varticles.

There is more to space photography than meets the lens. There

is the promise of' accurate mapping of places on earth where civilized

man has never set foot.

There is potential for determining wate_ temperatures and depths

_sing spacehorne instreeents -- not simple cameras -- and cloud heights,

-'sing spectrogra_!s and cameras from space.

And_ with man capable of aiming a camera wherever it will do the

most good_ spaceborne cameras can photograph the moon and stars to gev

pictures without the distortion groumd-based cameras pick up from

ea__n s atmosphere.

,{¥'#?
 I :;A'A'
N_TIONAL AERONAUTICS
;4 AND SPACE
nq ADMINISTRATION
-
MANNEDSPACECRAFT ___Hous4_on
,_.
_CENTER_ '_l. Texas
MSC 65-88
TdU 3-5111 October 8, 1965

HOUSTON_ TEXAS -- Albert M. Chop_ Deputy PubLic Affairs Officer

al- NASA's Manned Spacecraft Center, will address officials of the San

Antonio Chamber of Commerce October 19 .

Chop will speak at 7:30 a.m. at the Saint A_thony Hotel's Pereaux

Room in San Antonio to the Chamber's board of directors, executive com-

mittee, Alamo Roundup Club and the chairmen of about 30 chamber

co_mnittee s.

His talk, status of NASA's manned space _iight programs_ Gemini

and Apollo, will be supported by films an-_ slides from the Gemini V

mission, and animation showing how rendezvous and docking will be

performed by Gemini VI nilots later _his month.

//I/ti4/
t/H i_

(biography available upon request)

NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND ,SPACE ADMINI,STRATION

ER Taxa s
MSC (5-89
il _-_ /il Cc,tober _ 1965

HOUSTON, TEXAS -- First dezai-s of' a lightweight (;emin _ suit

proposed for use ir ]emini V:I +'light were announcea reda[/ a% the NASA

}{ar}ed Spacecraf% Center.

The s_it? eurreni].v _rdergoing qualification _,ests_ has not yet

:esr aperoved for use ::_/}emini VI pilots. Iv weighs 16 pounds, inc}udirg

_: a'iator's crash _elmeb which is worn urder bhe so_t holmes. The

emiri suit currertl?/ in use weighs 23.5 pounds and uses a f'iberglass

shell helmet.

The suit can 'se cempletei:/ taken off' during flight. It can also be

w r: in the partiail/ doffed mode: in which the gloves and boots are

removed and the helmet is unzipped at the neck and rolled back to form a

headrest sehind the neck.

The new suit has two layers of material. The inner layer is _he

press'3re retaining neoprene-coated n:/lon bladder and outer Layer is _

-:.ce HT-L nylon. Small sections cf link net are usem in the shoulders

:':r improved mobi]it./. The Gemini suit for the Gemini Vi flight has four

la/ers of material.

Other weight savings were effected in eliminating the large rotating

neck bearing and ?e helmet tie-down system. The ventilation system for

_,_e s it is external_ with ducting travel]in6 down %he outside of legs

arJ,
_ arms %o enter Ins pressure bladder at the extremities.

--more--
Add 1 ......

Due to the proven reliability of the Gemini environmental control

system on previous flights, even shirt sleeve operation would be possible

in the spacecrafv. However, other considerations such as blast protection,

ventilation_ and emergency pressurization were the basis for the light-

weight suit approach which is being considered.

Dick Johnston, chief of Crew Systems Division, will present a paper

at the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics in St. Louis

on October 13 which deals in part with the lightweight suit. He will also

discuss basic and extravehicular Gemini suits, the Apollo extravehicular

mobility unit for lunar use, and the concepts of post Apollo suits_ such

as the all metal space suit.

The suit was developed by the Gemini Support Office of Crew Systems

Division_ and was built by the David Clark Co., Worchester, Mass., present

contractor for the basic and extravehicular Gemini suits.

l/II(I
Illlllff
 I
NATIONAL AERONAUTICS
['4 AND SPACE
q -4;1,1 -
ADMINISTRATION

MANNED
SPACECRAFT ._!______ uOusl:On
_CENTER ' '__1, Texas
_¢ 65-9o
HU 3-5111 October 11_ 1965

HOUSTON_ TEXAS -- Charles L. Schultse_ airector o- the Bureau of

the Budget, and members of his staff visited Manned Spacecraft Center

Sunday for a general orientation briefing and toum of MSC facilities.

The Bureau of the Budget group was the guest of NASA Administrator

Janes E. Webb aha Dr. Robert R. Gilruth, MSC Director_ for the visit.

The group_ accompanied by Mr. Webb and members of his staff, arrived

at 2 p.m. Sunday and remained overnight_ departing for Cape Kennedy

early Monday morning.

The group toured astronaut training facilities in Building 5_

crew systems development areas in Building 7_ large pressure chg_lbers

in Building 32 and the Mission Operations Control Wing of Building 30.

MSC officials were hosts to the visitors at dinner in the MSC

cafeteria Sunday night.

I/I////
////////
 I;;k A tk 4 mi -- -
MANNED
SPACEENTE
CR R '_--_1, Texa s
MSC 65-91
_J 3-5111 October 12, 1965

HOUSTON, _:_ -- The 55-member faculty and student body of the

NATO Defense College will visit the Manned Spacecraft Center October 15

as part of a nation-wide to_' of government departments_ military

headquarters and installations.

In addition to the Manned Spacecraft Center, the College is sched-

uled to visit the State Department and Pentagon in Washington_ D.C.;

United Nations; Strategic Air Command, Omaha, Neb._ a U.S. Minuteman

installation at Cheyenne, Wyo._ Headquarters of the North American

Air Defense Command, Colorado Springs_ New Orleans; a fire power demonstra-

tion by the U.S. Strike Command at Ft. Bragg_ N.C._ and Quebec and

Ottawa_ Canada where members will receive briefings by top Canadian

political and military leaders.

The college was established in Paris in 1951 at the initiative of

General Eisenhower...at the time Supreme Allied Commander in Europe.

The objective of the college was training of key senior personnel to

fill high military and civilian posts in NATO or in positions with

their own national governments dealing with the NATO alliance.

Members of the college are drawn from the military and civilian

departments of NATO nations on an agreed quota. The commandant is

Lt. Gen. Duilio S. Fanali of the Italian Air Force. Thirteen of the

15 NATO countries are represented at the college. Only Iceland and

--more--
Add 1 ......

Luxembx_rg are n:}t represented on the present course. There are six

kr.S. Military 3f_icers and one foreign service officer f'rom the State

Department in this particular course. Canada has two military repre-

sentatives.

M_re than 1_500 persons have been g_aduated from the college since

its beginning in 1951. Courses are of six months duration. The studies

_f the _x_llege c>ver the broad spectrum ce political, military and

s}cia! problems of the world...in particular their relationships to the

Alliance and its member nasions.

Tours made by the college, such as the one which b_ings it to

the Manned Spacecraft Center_ are of particular importance to the

curricul_mm. They afford the members the opportunity to view at first

hand the countries of the Alliance and to receive on the spot brie2ings

_n p_litical, economic and military problems nj national authorities.

Visits t_ industrial plants and places o_' cultural interest are also

featured on the co_lege %o.lrs.

The bnited States and Canaaa have only recently been added to the

t}_3r pr_grasl. The current visit is she second to North America. The

Eur}pean NATO countries are visited on a regular basis.

 -I:A'A ,'1:11
NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION
-
MANNED
SPACECRA Houston
_CENT[R . Texas
MSC 65-92
_T 3-5il! October 14, 1965

[{OtISTOI(: TEXAS -- Remote-site flight controllers deployed from

i[_:tston%his week to their tracking stations at Guayraas, Hawaii,

Carnarvon, Canary Islands and aboard the ships Coastal Sentry and Rose

Kn _t.

Their depar:are followed msny hours of drill in the Mission Control

Center-Ho'esvsn in the simulated remote site training facilities --

Sim31ated Network Simulations (Sim Net Sims), as ahey are called no

differentiate between in-house simulations and full network simulations

wi%h the actual tracking stations manned.

The three temms of flight controllers in Mission Control continue

their Gemini 6 training with launch abort and reentry simulations as the

October 25 launch date draws near.

Flight Directors for the three teams of flight controllers in

Mission Control are Christopher C. Kraft, Jr., Red Team; Eugene F.

Kranz, White Team; and John D. Hodge, Blue Team.

Cansole positions in Mission Control follow, listed by Red, _ite_

and Blue teams, respectively:

Assistant Flight Director: Charles S. Harlan, Manfred H. "Dutch"

van Ehrenfried, and William E. Platt. Operations and Procedures Officer:

Jones W. Roach, Lawrence L.D. Armstrong, and William Molnar, Jr.

Flight St:rgeon: Dr. Charles A. Berry, Dr. A. D. Catterson, and Dr. D.

--more--
Add 1 ......

Owen Coons. Spacecraft Communicator: Elliott M. See and John Young,

Red team; Eugene A. Cernan, White team; and Charles A. Bassett, II, and

Virgil I. "Gus" Grissom, Blue team. Booster Systems Engineer: Charles

S. Harlan. Tank Monitor: Clifton C. Williams. Guidance, Navigation

and Control Engineer: Arnold D. Aldrich, Gerald D. Griffon, Gary E.

Coen. Electrical, Environmental and Communications Engineer: Richard

D. Glover, Thomas R. Loe, and John W. Aaron.

Agena Systems: (two teams only) Milvin F. Brooks and Robert C.

Carlton; James E. Saultz and Bruce H. Walton. Flight Dynamics: Clifford

E. Charlesworth, Edward L. Pavelka, and Jerry C. Bostick. Retrofire

Officer: John S. Llewellyn, David V. Massaro and Thomas F. Carter.

Guidance Officer: Charley B. Parker, William E. Fenner, and Kenneth

W. Russell. Network Controller: Capt. Walter J. Arellane, Lloyd White;

Ernest L. Randall, Lt. Richard G. Ayers; Capt. Andreus A. Piske, Capt.

!]eorge D. 0jalehto. Support Control Coordinator: Ledrieu L. Linson,

James E. Mager and Philip N. Barnes. Maintenance and Operations

Supervisor: John W. Hatcher, Earl V. Cart and Bobby B. Dye. Public

Affairs Officer: Paul Haney, A1 Chop and Terry White.

Tracking station flight controller assignments are listed for

each station by Spacecraft Communicator, Gemini Systems_ Agena Systems

and Aeromed console positions respectively:

Canary Islands: Arda J. Roy, Jr., Joseph Fuller, Jr.; Charles L.

Gruby and George P. Contois; Lt. Col. Roland Shamburek, MC/USA, Lt.

Clyde G. Jeffrey, MC/USN.

Carnarvon: William D. Garvin, Harold M. Draughon, Ted A. White;

--more--
Add 2 ......

Harry Smith and Thomas E. Weichel; Lt. Cdr. George F. Humbert, MC/USN,

Wing Commander W. J. Bishop, RAAF.

Hawaii: Charles B. Lewis, Ambers S. Davis, Dale L. Klingbeil;

Hershel R. Perkins and Paul D. Nering; Capt. Charles H. Sawyer, MC/USAF_

Maj. O'Neill Barrett, MC/USA.

Guyamas: Keith Kundel, Gene F. Muse; Willard D. Robinson; Capt.

William A. Walter, MC/USAF, Cdr. Andrew W. Stephenson, Jr., MC/USN.

Coastal Sentry: Edward I. Fendell, James F. Hoser; Harold V.

Berlin, and George W. Emerson; Maj. James R. Wamsley, MC/USAF, John J.

Droescher, MD.

R_se Knot: James R. Fucci, Floyd E. Claunch; Robert D. Legler and

Luis J. Espinoza; Maj. Gerald D. Young, Jr., MC/USAF, and Cdr. Clarence

E. Gassett, MC/USN.

####
. ' -R,.JN.,_,uTIC5 AND S?AQ _ ,s&'_MINiSTR_,:

SPACECRAFT :.....:,
CENTE ' =,
HUnter 3-5111 MSC 65-93
October 15, 1965

NASA to Negotiate with Lockheed Electronics Co.

for Computer Programming Support

HOUSTON, TEXAS -- The National Aeronautics and Space Administra-

tion today selected Lockheed Electronics Co. of Houston, Texas for

negotiation of a contract to provide computer, programming and

operational support services for the Manned Spacecraft Center,

Houston, Texas.

A cost-plus-award-fee contract will be negotiated for a

one-year period with provisions for two additional one-year

renewals. Estimated cost for the first year is in excess of

three million dollars.

The contractor will support the Center in all work requiring

computer programming and data reduction, and equipment operations,

exclusive of Mission Control Center operations. Work will include

supporting astronauts' centrifuge training operations, data pro-

cessing and support of tests of spacecraft and spacecraft components,

trajectory computations, spacecraft engineering simulations, and

reduction of bio-medical data obtained during Gemini and Apollo

--more--
MSC 65-93

h Ls_ t_i . Sk'pport ¢2 the Center 's businosh of _ ice an6] pa'i Nell

and cost accounting work also is included. Approximately 400

personnel will be required to perform the services.

Leekheed Electronics Company was ene of nine firms which

responded to _-equests for proposals issued in June, 1965 by the

Manned Spacecraft Center.

NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION

MANNEDSPACECRl FTys_ , )_..,_::_ H o u s_o n

_c 65-94
HU 3-5111 October 18, 1965

HOUSTON_ TEXAS -- A test series on extravehicular activity has

been completed by the engineers of Space Medicine Branch of Crew Systems

Division.

Test su%ject Jack Slight, wearing a Gemini spacesuit and strapped

into a six-degree of freedom zero gravity simulator, "walked" through

space from a moekup of the Gemini spacecraft and Agena target vehicle

as they were docked together on the laboratory floor at the Manned

Spacecraft Center.

Slight opened a panel on the side of the Agena which represented

a micrometeoroid collection experiment which will be flown on a later

Gemini mission. In a second set of maneuvers, he retrieved the trap

and carried it back to the spacecraft.

The purpose of the tests is to determine the procedures necessary

for performing the task in space_ to define the handholds necessary

for the astronaut to perform the experiment, and design verification of

the experiment.

The tests will be performed again next month in a true weightless

condition in the cabin of an Air Force KC-135 aircraft flying a

trajectory which produces weightlessness for a period of 30 seconds.

Martin DeBrovner, Space Medicine Branch, is test conductor for

the series.

!!!!!!
NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION

MANNED
SPACECRAFT ,__Uouston
CENTER Texa S
MSC65-95
_J 3-5111 October 19_ 1965

HOUSTON_ TEXAS -- Dr. Charles A. Berry, Chief of Center Medical

Programs at the Manned Spacecraf_ Center, is the nation's first medical

doctor in the aerospace field to receive the Exeeptiona_ Service Medal.

He was presented the award by President Lyndon B. Johnson at the White

House on September 14.

As chief physician for NASA astronauts_ Dr. Berry heads an organi-

zation of 100 medical doctors and technicians stationed throughout the

world monitoring the health of the astronauts before_ during, and after

a space flight.

The Exceptional Service Medal was given for "his outstanding

contributions to space medicine through his direction of and personal

participation in the medical planning and control of the Gemini manned

space flights."

A graduate of the University of California medical school_ Dr. Berry

began his medical career in private practice at India and Coachella_

California. He entered the Air Force in July 1951, and was assigned

to the Canal Zone, Panama. He was assigned to NASA in 1959 as a medical

monitor on the Mercury progrs_n_ and became Chief of Center Medical

Programs of MSC in 1963.

tf_L_7
/
NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMIN!STRATION

MANNEDSPACECRAFT IHous4:on
CENTE . Texas
MSC 65-96
3-911! 0ctoLer 21_ i965

i{OiSTON_ TEXAS -- The re_niiiar while apace helmets are s _ the way

: % _ die %o %_e efforts of a -sy_hologist and a mechanical en?ineer in

Irew 3 s_ems Division cf aha Manned S}s.ceerart Center.

Dr. RoLert L. Jores ahd ,lames O'Kane have developed a "bubble'

e me_ w[ich is smaller and ±igh:er tha_} revieus helme_-_ and let

i_ more comfortable and _r©vides more ¥Zsibilit .

?.e helneT, w:-,ich is made from a "iastic materia_ ca ied 'oi?'-

c_.r_chafe, is tra___.s?_arent exce-p_ for a small section at the back of

:_e head. Hence Zhe name, "bubc'e '' helmet.

The A_olio :uits which wil± be used for the moon landing will have

_kis new type of helmet design.

The helmet star_ed as a develoomen5 oreject, but its design o;'fered

zo man2 advantages over the other helmets that it was incoreorated into

_-e Apollo s:_it, and will be worn hy astronauts exr!oring the curt'ace

of % e moon.

The firs% consideration in designing a new hehne_ war the fit_

or headsoace irside the £1ehaet. if the helmet did not rotate, it was

_eces]ar3 :o fi:d out jusL hay; much room a man needed zo move his head

lreeZb ,_inside %he helmet. The results of head motion studies revealed

that a smaller a_d iigaser helmet could ce designed and the viewing

area of the astro_':aut ac_ua_iy ino_*eased.

- -_lore - -
Add 1 ......

A pattern for the new helmet was cut and a mold made by personnel

o_ the Technical Services Division. The first helmet was almost round,

_ in later designs, the sides were flattened to give an even better

_ha_e and fit.

Other features were added to the he_uet. A new design of the

_ _kring where the helmet connects to the torso o? the suit permitted

_ _:ni_g or removing the helmet in a few seconds.

Protection pads made of a foam material were molded to fit on the

_ [de and outside of the hack of the helmet to protect the head

:_l:_stbuffeting, vibration and imvact during launch and reentry.

,._ :ire removable during flight.

Three adjustable visors on the outside of the helmet will vrovide

:_r_tection from heat, radiation and glare. The visors move independently.

After assembly, the helmet was tested by mounting it in a drop rig

_s s:bjecting it to various g forces caused by impact. The helmet

received as many as 34 g's withouv damage in these tests.

Other evaluation tests included visual field measurements, carbon

di:_xide build-up, and ease of operation.

The _atures of the helmet were reviewed by members of the astronaut

_i_t_ and Center management, and adopted. The "bubble" helmet has taken

itz :lace as the latest development on the Apollo suit for the lunar

]nnding.
,,I;;kA [4
V V

NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION

.NNED SPACECRAFT
CENTER Texas
HU 3-5111 MSC 65-97
October 21, 1965

HOUSTON, TEXAS -- The National Aeronautics and Space Administra-

tion will negotiate a contract extension with Federal Systems

Division, International Business Machines Corporation, Rockville,

Md., for continued support of the Real-Time Computer Complex at

the Manned Spacecraft Center.

Extension is expected to cost about $80,000,000, and will

contain provisions for converting to an incentive agreement. De-

tails are under discussion.

The work calls for conversion to new generation IBM systems

360 computers and use of advanced multi-program techniques to in-

crease capabilities required for Apollo missions.

The Real-Time Computer Complex in the Mission Control Center

provides the computing capability required for mission monitoring,

inflight mission planning, and simulation activities.

In the mission monitoring and planning functions, raw data

is converted and displayed in formats easily interpreted by the

mission team.

Flight plan recommendations are computed and displayed for

mission controller analysis and selection. Rapid detection and

--more--
Add 1
MSC 65-97

notification of the existence of marginal spacecraft conditions

are provided. The RTCC also generates simulated raw data re-

quired for preflight testing and training.

As part of the program to increase the capability of the

operational computer complex for the Apollo moon mission, orders

have been placed with Univac Division of Sperry Rand Corporation,

to provide the new 494 unit. The Univac 494's will be used in

the communication, command telemetry areas.

NA---,ONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION

=....................,ENTER __" ,:'"' .....

HUnter 3-5111 MSC 65-98
October 28, 1965

HOUSTON, TEXAS --Meteorite finds in Texas are increasing,

according to Dr. Elbert King of the Manned Spacecraft Center here.

King, an expert in the composition and origin of extraterres-

trial objects who works in the Geology and Geochemistry Section at

MSC, said that he has received four meteorites from various areas

in Texas during the current year. All the specimens were either

donated or loaned to MSC for analysis.

"Normally, four or five new meteorites are the total find for

the world in one year," King said.

The largest meteorite was a 30-pound stoney variety from

coliingsworth County, Texas. Two meteorites of three and four

pounds were found near Conroe by a lady who observed the fall 4-

1955. The fourth meteorite was a ssven-pound iron specimen found

near Del Rio and received about a month ago through the efforts of

Dr. George Edwards of the Shell Research Company.

Although meteorites are comparatively rare, they are valuable

mainly for scientific information they contain rather than any

monetary worth. If meteorites can be examined soon after they

--more--
Add 1
MSC 65-98

fall, much can be learned about cosmic radiation in space.

MSC geologists are also interested in the space rocks as a

key to determining the composition of lunar rocks and possibly the

evolution of the solar system. Meteorites are accepted here for

examination in cooperation with the U.S. National Museum. All

meteorites donated hsre will eventually go to the National Museum°

King said that most meteorites are discovered because they

are heavier than rocks of a comparable size and have an unusual

shape due to entry heating. Meteorites are also commonly found

n areas which are free from other rocks. Anyone who suspects he

has discovered a meteorite should first send only a small sample

of the rock for analysis. If the sample is meteoritic, the entire

specimen can then be sent.

9##
 I

r
jl
NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION

RAFT Hous-m:on
CNI"NNED
SPACENTER a., Texas
HU 3-5111 MSC 65-99
October 27, 1965

HOUSTON, TEXAS--The National Aeronautics and Space Administration

today named an Agena Review Board. The board will be headed by co-chair-

man, Dr. Robert R. Gilruth, Director of NASA Manned Spacecraft Center

and Major General O. J. Ritland, USAF Deputy Commander for Space Air

Force Systems Command.

Members are to try to identify the causes of the failure which

prevent Agena stage from fulfilling its mission in Gemini VI flight

Monaay.

Members are Cyrus Himmel, Lewis Research Center; Robert Gray,

Kennedy Space Center; F° John Bailey, Manned Spacecraft Center; Col.

William Neilsen, USAF Director Agena Directorate Air Force Space Systems

Division; Col. Quenten Riete, USAF Vice Commander, 6595 Aerospace Test

Wing Vandenberg, Calif; Mort Goldman, Aerospace Corp., Los Angeles,

Calif.
NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION

MANNED
SPACECRAFT
,_.. Housto
CENTER I, Tex s
HU__ter 3-5111 MSC {,5-100
October 257 1965

HOUSTON_ TEXAS-- The first two-man flight of North American Aviation's

Space and Information Systems Division paraglider recovery system is schedul-

ed for Saturday morning at Edwards Air Force Base following completion o_

four successful manned flights in the past !0 days_ and a total of eight in

the past two months.

S&ID test pilots Don McCusker and Jack Swigert will be at the controls

of the Gemini-tp_e spacecraft used in tests of the bat-shaped paraglider

wing.

Bert Witte_ director of S&ID's Fle_iale Wing Systems_ said the test

plan calls for the paraglider to be inflated on the ground and then towed
to an altitude of approximately 107000 feet by helicopter. During the

first two minutes o- the scheduled six-minute free flight following release 7

McCusker and Swigert plan to make a series of navigational checks_ and then

guide the system to a spot landing.

McCusker was tile pilot of three of the earlier flights 7 and Swigert

manned the craft in today's flight. In the initial two flights_ McCusker

put t_e vehicle through a series of turns to determine its characteristics

under maximum bank angles 7 and practiced spot landings,

On Tuesday_ McCusker made the first flight in which the system was

oallasted to simulate the weight of the second pilot. Swigert's flight

today was to obtain further aerodynamic acta and spot landing practice to

pave the way for Saturday's two-man test.

A successful flight today will make a consecutive string of eight

successes in the progrss_ during the past two months. The tests are de-

signed to demonstrate pilot ca_ability to land the system in a pre-select-

ed area_ and the ability of a pilot to make heading corrections during

spacecraft recovery.

--MORE --
ADD 1 ........

Para_lider test

Witte saia at least three more one and two-man flights are scheduled

for next week in whic% the spot-laRding eapahiiities of the system will be

R_rther proved out.

S&iD is conducting the parag!ider development program for NASA's

Manned Spacecraft Center to study the operational feasibiiivy of a controll-

ed earth landing system.

Warren J. Nortn_ chief_ Flight Crew SL_pport Division_ MSC's Flight Crew

Operations_ is the NASA technical director for the paraglider program.

For the test program_ the paraglider is inflated on the ground and towed

aloft by helicopter. Is is released at altitude and put tnrougi_ a series of

maneuvers by the pilot to accomplish test objectives enroute to a landing in

a pre-designated area.

In actual operation_ the paraglider would be stored in a lO-cabic foot

cannister onboard a spacecraft until after the vehicle is slowed by the

Earth's atmosphere on re-entry. T?en an onooard nitrogen supply similar to

that used to inflate a _ife raft_ is utilized to deploy the Darag!ider to its

tull 31-foot length and 31-foot wing ssan.

N z.-.-;ONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION

,.¢_.e' ,'.,,v r" _' _- ................

klJc.
ver 3-5111 MSC oS-_O,-
November 5, _wop

NOUSTON_ TEXAS--The Manned Soacecraft_ Center's "navy" , a convertem·

=..my ....a_..o craft utility (LCU)_ recently underwent a face-lifting wn:ch in-

elud:d relocating the bridge to better adapt the vessel to perform its space
oriented duties.

::ASA Motor Vessel Retriever_ as the ll5-foot long and 34-foot wide ship

is called, has been in use of the M£C Landing and Recovery Division since Jane

__o_, in support of operational tests that require large and some_=.,:esrcugh

_
:ia:er areas.

These exercises have included Gemini postlanding water suitability tests,

waver egress training for flight crews, spacecraft drop tests from aircraft,
smacecraft uprighting sea tests, Gemini and Apollo sea-dye tests_ flotation

col!ar tests, qualification of shipboard recovery equipment, and other

_ ..... _a_on testing programs.

m>_ old bridge has been replaced with a newly elevated structure => _
Contains _-
_=± :he controls from the o=_ bridge plus some additional _
eauinment_ .

T±e new bridge is about two and one-half feet higher than the old one, and

..measures20 by nine feet It is enclosed all around by opening-type _< ....'

glass windows, and the bridge area is heated and air conditioned for crew
CO_!Or_.

Con:ro!s moved from t._e

_ old bridge_ include the air controlled - '
c:u:cnes

for vhe diesel engines which propel! the ship> the electric steering controls,

:he ship's wheel, gyro repeater compass, and the radar.

in addition to these controls,, another set of air controlled clutches for

the engines_ _ong_' with another electric steering control have been installed

to provide two crew stations so that the ship c_n. be operated ·_ _om either

side of the bridge. Another portable electric stee_ing control on an exten-

szon cord_ which allows the ship operator to move about on the or:a_e, has
also been installed.
 =_c h_': oz_e wnzcn is more _.... vwice as _r_'_-_as tr.e o=a one _=__'
C-,_:__,_.:_,
-' _ · a ship-to-shore radio_ radar,
_ waser depth recorder_ '_
·Wl_a velocz%y
'

·_d _.ind direcvion indicators, a chart table, a magnetic compass, auvo-

p_ov,'- a_ _n_ additional g_r£o repeating core,ass.

______ .....y ___ for _..eArmy in 1954: the Retrzever was accuzrea sy

''' _..ear=y ic63 at Pt. Eustis, Va. iz was sailed sy an _...y'_--

crew to

_z_= Ol L:le vessel fo_ ;,._S_._ ar._ _.rmy crew sailed Lk,e _r_r sa i[ew

_l'__acs. :_ was LYtel sailed Lo _[oolle_ _._r'_, snl_yar_ fsi' mo_illOaLlons

_._._ .,.z_s
srcugn_ to Houston in Jinx.
e: where it was pressed into duty wzvn:r.
:.,,reek.

One of the Retriever_s first tests was per=ormea in Oa-,veston Bay

wish a group of local newsmen on boare to witness the exercise. A boiler-

's±aze spacecraft was placed in the water and retrieved to demonstrate the
£:.is's ca_abi!i%ies.

Presexv!y a:%w±_memry
_' _ instrYaentation station for the Apollo ees%-

ianling suaiification program is in she process of being installed on %he

Rezriever by she HSC information S,_sse_s_
.. Division·

_ _ spacecra_t :nc±_c_e a lO-ton lift

_m warn _ 50-foot mas_ and a 10-to i2-ton davit retrieval cr&qe.

Bosh she boom and the crane will swing over the side for resrievai ·-"_SedCO-
craft from the wazer.

The __ever is manned by a permanent crew of three men who _- _

rouvine :-r.
aintenance as time permits in the busy schedule of the vessel. TL

shit} is uviiized for HSC test and aua!ification exercises on an averase cf

foaz' '..;or!mng
days each week. Major repairs SUCh as the r_cen_ _e_o_ .....o

vie sriage, or %he once-a-year dry dock maintenance_ is con%fac%ed out.

The shallow draft of the vessel, four and one-half feet, makes iv i!a:..l
='__
........
,.__,_.._·
-'_= in the Ga!season Bay area. The Retriever's large deck area _:3_o-

vices adecua_e working space and a lift capability in excess _'_ _sO_O_O__.__._-'_-

,.,_._£ s_._c:en_ to do all testing for Apollo _and the extended Apollo _ro-

grs_ms The LCU was originally designed to _a_ry six 30-ton _an_<s or 2_

_!e eoumnnea soldiers, it has a 350-_o_. water displacement.

_+_-_ of the Retriever is its slow speed. A maxims_, soeed of

ssven knots is provided by the three 165bp diesel engines_ and when she vessel

_' sacxing a r-&nning tide_ fo'__ kno%s is abou% all the speed -_- can '

:;_usvered. Prom the Retriever's permanent berth at Seabrook Shipyard %0

_,_.,_. _iqes _il average of four ' " _ ·

_ _a Dock at z-<e Ga±v_s_o= Ccast G_ard Station.

The cre_: O_s_on_ shiv's captain; Frank J. Janoch_ chief _._o_-=_'_

....._ and

a::_ Test 3ranch of the Landing and Recovery Division.

_.._ z__svs, the crew three rea,_ives assistance in vne o_r___= ol

: '
·.._nc_.es
. soaeecrait_ '_ ' '_ ' s_z_oo_re _vles '
the ' '
Tecnnieam - Serv_c_s

Division and o%ners onboard to support the tests.

A como=eze o__zey and sleeping cuarters for 17 people are onboara the
r:azrlever.' These facilities are utilized on tests that _eq_zre-_
_'_- more tr.
an' one

d_Z vo ccmoie_e. The old bridge area was converted to bunk space vo provide
z_ree of the 17 sleeping spaces.
=_,ozner'recent amm=t_on-'"
_ vo _he Revriever is the davit retrieval crane

'.,.,_l-el /_as __,'_.-_'-_ rings to accomoaave either the Gemini or the _.Doi!o

u_:;c=cra_u. D ...._ the remoae=l,_g o_ Che vessei_ provisions were made fcr

......
n ....
= _= crane on either the main or poop deck.
The new crane was firs% operationally used for the egress training of

____ u__.--,_-_
...... Vii oac_.up crew in the Gulf of _ex_co, on October 29.
The recent addition of the new bridge to the Re%riever and other modifica-

_=o__ v;ere performed by Todd's Shipyards Corporation in Houston _ a coa_ o:

giSO,O00. This was followed -sy %he annual drydosk '

mainaenance '*:- .... p er-
w::_u:.,,._
__r...=_n
'oy B!ud'_-orthShipyard Incoroorated,_ Srady Island.
 ?

· " _ _ I _ _Ul--1 _ _ _

I
t

t_-

I
to
 !
st'
!

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_'co
NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION

M.NNEDSPACECRAFT . Houson
IIlllC ENTE Texas
HU 3-5111 MSC 65-102
November 5, 1965

HOUSTON, TEXAS -- The National Aeronautics and Space Administration

today announced it will negotiate with International Latex Co.,

Dover, Delaware, and Hamilton Standard Division of United Aircraft

Corp., Windsor Locks, Conn., for development and production of Project

Apollo astronaut flight suits and a portable life support system for

operations in space and on the lunar surface.

Subject to negotiations,International Latex will produce the

ight suit, which consists of a liquid-cooled undergarment, constant-

wear garment, pressure garment assembly and thermo-micrometeoroid

protective overgarment. Cost of the work is estimated at $10 million.

Under a separate contract to be negotiated, Hamilton Standard

will produce the life support system. It will be a back pack weigh-

ing about 65 pounds which will contain an oxygen system, thermo control

system and communications equipment. This system will be used for

extravehicular activities during earth orbital flights and on the

lunar surface. Estimated cost is approximately $20 million.

Present plans call for the pressure suit to be worn during the

later phase of the Apollo/Saturn lB earth orbital mission series and

_ring Apollo/Saturn 5 missions, including lunar landings. Astronauts

will use Gemini pressure suits on the initial Saturn lB missions.

--more--
Add 1
%SC 65-102

The Crew Systems Division of the NASA Manned Spacecraft Center,

Houston, will manage the work and be responsible for integration of

the pressure suit and life support system.

The companies have been engaged in research and development

work on suits and life support equipment for NASA since 1963.

_#
,l=lkA
V

[4 I
V

NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION

M.NNEDSPACECRAFT .Uous41:on
mICENTER Texas
HUnter 3-5111 MSC 65-103
November 9, 1965

HOUSTON, TEXAS -- The National Aeronautics and Space

Administration today announced the launch of Gemini 7 -- the first

of two launches in a combination long duration mission and rendez-

vous of two manned Gemini spacecraft -- is scheduled no earlier

than December 4.

If preparation of launch facilities and checkout of launch

vehicle and spacecraft proceed as presently planned, the launch

of Gemini 6 will follow nine days later on December 13.

Astronauts Frank Borman and James A. Lovell, Jr. are command

pilot and pilot respectively for the Gemini 7 mission. It will

be the first space flight for each. Astronauts Edward H. White,

II and Michael Collins are the backup crewmen.

Walter M. Schirra is the command pilot of Gemini 6 and Thomas

P. Stafford is the pilot. It will be the second space flight for

Schirra. Astronauts Virgil I. Grissom and John W. Young are the

backup pilots.

The Gemini 7 mission is scheduled for up to 14 days. The pur-

pose of this flight is to further determine the effects of long

duration flight on man. Twenty scientific, medical and technological

experiments are scheduled to be carried out on the Gemini 7 mission.

--more--
Add 1
MSC 65-102
65-103

The mission planned for Gemini 6 is nearly identical to that

of the original rendezvous flight which was postponed on October 25

when the Agena target failed to achieve orbit. (An intensive

study is now underway to determine the cause of the Agena failure).

Gemini 6 will rendezvous with the Gemini 7 target spacecraft

during the fourth revolution and station-keep with the Gemini 7

spacecraft for a period of time. Maximum duration of the Gemini 6

mission is two days. While the Gemini 6 spacecraft will approach

within close proximity of the Gemini 7 spacecraft it will not dock

with it.

No major changes have been made in the Gemini 7 mission.

The Gemini 6 mission will have no major impact on the accomplish-

ment of Gemini 7 objectives. The Gemini 7 flight trajectory has

been modified to provide support as a target for the Gemini 6 mission.

The purpose of proceeding with the attempt to launch Gemini 6

is to demonstrate as early as possible a rendezvous of two vehicles

in space.
NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION

,dNNEDSPACECRA Hous,on
CENTE t. 'rexa
HUnter 3-5111 MSC 65-104
November 12, 1965

HOUSTON, TEXAS -- A 35-foot vacuum chamber at the NASA Manned

Space Center, will receive its baptism of manned activity when a

space-suited technician is scheduled to enter its frigid and air-

less interior for the first time.

The test will be the final act in a series of unmanned shake-

down tests which are aimed at qualifying chamber B for use in

testing Gemini and Apollo equipment in the space environment.

Test crewman Bob Piljay, a space chamber technician from

Brown and Root/Northrop, (BRN) will be wearing s modified Gemini

suit as he steps into a vacuum equal to approximately 60 miles above

the earth. BRN is operations support contractor for the Space

Environment Simulation Laboratory. Twenty-two thousand gallons of

liquid nitrogen pumped into panels in the wall will lower

temperatures to a minus 250 degrees Fahrenheit.

He will spend ten minutes inside the chamber checking the en-

vironmental control system module which supplies air to test crew-

men inside the chamber. Then the solar lamps and earth albedo

lamps will be turned on to add the effects of solar heating to the

chamber. After five more minutes_ Piljay will return to the man-

lock and the test will be completed.

--more--
Add 1
MSC 65-104

In preparation for the full vacuum manned test, a partial

vacuum test will be run to verify rescue procedures for the chamber.

The chamber will be pumped down to the 60-miles altitude. Two

lock observors in insulated thermal suits will be inside the manlocks

leading to the chamber. The manlocks will be at 18,000 feet.

An emergency repressurization will be conducted, lowering the

chamber to an altitude of 22,000 feet. The lock observors will

enter the chamber and "rescue" a space suited dummy inside the chamber.

When he has been retrieved from the chamber, they will give him simulat-

ed emergency first aid and take him to the emergency medical room.

The test is being conducted by personnel of the Space Environ-

ment simulation Laboratory. James H. Chappee is the test director.

;llll;
NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION

MANNED
SPACECRAFT
_ .___Houston
ENTER Te x a s
HUnter 3-5111 MSC 65-105
November 18, 1965

HOUSTON_ TEXAS -- Extravehicular equipment for Gemini VIII is

scheduled for two qualification tests in thc 2e-foot vacuum chamber in Crew

Systems DivisLon at the Manned Spacecraft Center Friday.

The Extraw_hicular Life Support System, which finished its thermal

qualification a week ago, will be combined with the Extravehicular Snpport

Pack (ESP), a 92-pound backpack in which tha astronaut will carry his
oxygen and maneuvering gas supply.

The first test of the combined system will evaluate the capability of

the oxyr_en bottle in the pack to supply the extravehicular astronaut with

air at a high rate of flow. The switchow_r to the emergency oxygen supply
in the ELSS w_l[ occur automatically _ffter the ESP bottle is exhausted.

The test subject will also fire the space _um 40 bursts of five-second

duration with a 15-second interval betwepn them.

The second t_st is a propellant blowdown qualification in which the

space _un will be f_red _n 30-s_cond bursts to exhaust the freon supply.

Thc sub.iect will use th_ left tank air supply at medium flow during this

test. Brown and Root-Northrop technicians and MSC engineers will serve as

test subjects.

A vacu_n equal to 150_0OO feet alt_tud_ will exist in the chamber_

and the walls of the thermal box will be co, led to a minus 300 degrees

Fahrenheit to simulate the conditions of orbital night for both tests.

Test conductor is Kenneth Snyder, Systems Test Branch of Crew Systems

Division.

//////
 Add 1
MSC 65-i05

FACT SHEET

EXTRAVEHICULAR GEMINI MOBILITY UNIT (EGMU) COMPONENTS

Extravehicular Life Support System (ELSS)

Use: To provide electrical, life support_ and mechanical connections

between the spacecraft and the astronaut and to provide circulation and
cooling inside the suit.
Major Components: Ejector pump for circulation, heat exchanger for
cooling, 30 minute emergency oxygen supply_ controls and warning system,

umbilical for spacecraft oxygen supply.

Weight: Approximately 42 pounds.

Size: Rectangular box, 18" tail by 10" wide by 6" thick.

Position: Worn on astronaut's chest during extravehicular activities.

Extravehicular Support Pack (ESP)

Use: To provide extenced oxygen supply for extravehicular activities

and fuel supply for the hand held maneuvering unit.

Major Components: Two oxygen bottles containing seven pounds oxygen

and 17 pounds freon under 5_OO0 pounds pressure. Oxygen supply is

sufficient for 83 minutes normal usage. A 28 volt battery for instrumen-

tation and communications equipment. Outlet connections for suit and gun,

and inlet connections for serv_einc. _{F transceiver.

Weight: Approximately 92 pounds.

Size: Rectangular cradle, 26" tall by 21" wide by 17" deep, with

connections for mounting in the c_,nter of the adapter section. Shape

will be the same as the Astronaut Maneuvering Unit, experiment D-12. ESP

will be held in adapter by explosive bolts_ which will be fired from space-

craft by command pilot after pilot has secured himself to ESP by fastening
a web belt attached to the sides of ESP to the front of the ELSS chest pack.

Umbilical Tether: Nylon cord, 1000 _und test, with 13 electrical

leads for con_lication. Length 75 feet.

Hand Held Maneuvering Unit

Use: To provide the extravehicular astronaut with positive control

of his attitude and to propel him from point to point in zero gravity

environment.
--more--
 Add 2
Msc 65-i05

Major Components: Handle, two spring loaded poppet valves, foldable

tubes, two one-pound nozzles, and one two-pound nozzle.

Weight: 3._ pounds.

Size: 12" long by 4_" hil%h. Distance between tractor nozzles --

28" (extended), 15" (retracted).

Position: Stowed on top of ESP during launch.

Capability: Tractor thrust - 0 to 2 pounds.

Braking thrust - O to 2 pounds,

Total impulse - 800 pounds per second.

Total V - 75 feet per second.

NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION

MANNEDSPACECRA Houston
CENTE t., Texas
HU 3-5111 MSC 65-106
November 22, 1965

HOUSTON, TEXAS -- There's a new dome in Houston, but it hasn't

been built for sporting events or entertainment.

Housed under a silvery dome at the northeast corner of the

NASA Manned Spacecraft Center is the SPAN, Solar Particle Alert

Network, the first in a series of three telescopes to study radia-

tion coming from the sun.

The Houston station will be joined early next year by monitor-

'ng points at Grand Canary Island in the Atlantic and Canarvon,

Australia, to keep a constant watch on the sun's fiery surface for

flares and spots.

The network will be used to develop a warning system for radia-

tion events on the sun which could endanger astronauts on a lunar

mission. If a dangerous flare was observed, it would be several

hours before the radiation would reach the vicinity of the moon,

which would enable the astronauts to return to the safety of the

command module if they were on the surface of the moon.

The Houston facility is mounted on a 75 foot tower in a wooded

area. The combination of altitude and trees keeps the effects of

heat shimmer at a minimum.

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MSC 65-106

There are two monitoring telescopes at the MSC station.

One is a hydrogen alpha solar patrol instrument fitted with special

filters which can provide an optical image of the sun's surface.

The lens is four inches in diameter and has three magnifications

from 20 to 80 power. A 35mm camera is mounted in the telescope to

allow scientists to take time lapse photography of the development

of a solar flare.

The instrument is also equipped with an occulting cone. This

device creates an artifical eclipse of the sun for the observer,

blocking out the sun's disc to enable him to see the corona or

halo on the sun's rim. An alternate lens also has a raster or grid

to enable observers at different stations to correlate their findings.

Directly under the telescope, a small darkroom has been installed

which c_n be used to hand process film strips from the telescope camera.

In this way, engineers can check on a fine focus of the telescope.

The Houston site has a second mirror and objective lens system

which carries an 8-inch diameter white light image of the sun to a

spectrograph to analyze individual colors or spectra.

The spectrograph can make such measurements as the temperatures

of the sun in active regions and the force of the solar magnetic field.

The total cost of the facility is $171,000. The solar telescope,

was assembled by Razdow Inc., Newark, N. J. The building-and tower

Add 2
MSC 65-106

was constructed by Evan_ Construction Co., Houston, Texas.

The heliostat was built by Geotech Inc., of Dallas, Texas. The

spectrograph and instrumentation was furnished by Jarrell Ash

Co. of Waltham, Mass.

Peter Higgins, Radiation and Fields Branch of Advanced Spacecraft

Technology Division, is project engineer for the facility.

IJJIJJ
 I Ik'A'
NATIONAL 'AERONAUTICS AND
H mi SPACE ADMINISTRATION
-
_dNN£D SPAC£CRAFT Hc:_us'ton
CENTER I.
HUnter 3-5111 1_C 65-107
November 22, 1965

HOUSTON, TEXAS -- Fiscal year 1965 procurements at the Manned

Spacecraft Center totalled approximately $1,487.4 million, or three

per cent higher than during fiscal year 1964, according to Dave Lang,

chief of the procurement and contracts division.

Lang said approximately 86 per cent was placed with business

firms, 1.4 per cent with educational and other nonprofit institutions

and 12.5 per cent with, or through, other Government agencies.

MSC's dollars awarded to business through competitive procedures

increased from 69 per cent of the total business in FY 1964 to 78 per

cent in FY 1965. An additional 13 per cent represented awards on

follow-on contracts placed with companies that had previously been

selected on a competitive basis. In these instances, selection of

another source would have resulted in additional cost to the Government

by reason of duplicate preparation and investment.

Small business firms received about two per cent of the total

dollar value awarded to business. Excluding the 10 largest awards

which were for major sys_ ms and hardware requiring resources not

generally within the capability of small business on a prime contract

basis small business received about 15 per cent of the _maining busi-

ness dollar.
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MSC 65-107

Nearly 73 per cent of the awards to business in excess of

$25,000 resulted in cost-plus-fixed-fee contracts, a reflection

of the fact that MSC's procurements are primarily for research and

development.

Of the total dollars awarded during fiscal year 1965, $1,290

million or 87 per cent was negotiated. Over 95 per cent of the

negotiated amount represented R&D efforts.

Business firms in 45 states and educational and other non-

profit institutions in 26 states participated in MSC procurement

during FY 1965. California, New York, Missouri, Wisconsin, Texas,

Massachusetts, Florida, Maryland, Washington, D. C., and Connecticut

received the largest cumulative awards.

Lang said there was continued emphasis on incentive contracting

with the conversion of two major contracts from cost-plus-fixed- fee.

The Gemini spacecraft contract with McDonnell Aircraft Corporation

was converted to a CPIF with FY 1965 awards totaling $166.8 million.

Also converted was the contract for the guidance computer sub-

system for the Apoolo Command & Service Module with AC Electronics.

The FY 1965 award totaled $64.5 million.

Eleven CPIF and three fixed price incentive contracts were in

effect for a combined total of $250.9 million or approximately 19

· per cent of the business awards in FY 1965 in excess of $25,000.

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MSC 65-107

The ten largest contracts with business in terms of

aggregate value of awards during fiscal year 1965 are as

follows:

North American Aviation, Inc., Downey,Calif. Design,

develop and test three-man earth-to-moon-and-return Apollo

spacecraft. FY 1965 obligations $581,6 million; cumulative

obligations $1,452.0 million.

Grumman Aircraft Engineering Corporation, Bethpage,

New York. Lunar Excursion Module development. FY 1965

obligation $242.6 million; cumulative obligations $392.1 million.

McDonnell Aircraft Corporation, St. Louis, Mo. Design and

develop Gemini Spacecraft. FY 1965 obligations $166.8 million;

cumulative obligations $657.6 million.

General Motors Corp., AC Electronics Division, Milwaukee.

Guidance computer subystem for Apollo Command Module. FY 1965

obligations $64.5 million; cumulative obligations $112.4 million.

Philco Corporation, Palo Alto, Calif. Implementation of the

Mission Control Center. FY 1965 obligations $21.2 million; cumu-

lative obligations $63.7 million.

International Business Machines, Corp., Bethesda, Maryland.

Real Time Computer Complex. FY 1965 obligations $14.0 million;

cumulative obligations $36.1 milliGn.

TRW Systems Group, Redondo Beach, calif. Mission Trajectory

control program. FY 1965 obligations, $6.4 million (new contract).

Add 3
MSC 65-107

General Dynamics Corp., San Diego, calif. Solid suborbital

vehicle. FY 1965 obligations $5.7 million; cumulative obligations

$18.0 million.

United Aircraft Corp., Hamilton Standard Division, Windsor

Locks, Conm. Development of Apollo prototype space suits and

portable life support systems. FY 1965 obligations $5.2 million

(new contract).
NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION

M.NNEDSPACECRAFT H°u ton

ENTER I. Texas
HUnter 3-5111 MSC 65-108
November 22, 1965

HOUSTON_ TEY_AS -- The National Aeronautics and Space Administration

today selected four companies to perform 4-month design studies on an

experiments pallet to fly aboard Project Apollo missions. They are Lockheed

Missiles and Space Division, of SunnyYale_ Calif._ McDonnell Corp._ of St.

Louis_ Mo._ Martin Company of Denver_ Colorado; aha Northrop Space Laboratories

of Hawthorne: Calif.

The firms, under separate and eonoLli1rent fixed price cont-'acts valued

at approximately 375 thousand dollars_ will design and develop detailed

specifications and produce mock,Ds of a pallet to be placed ia the Apollo

spacecraft service modules.

The pallet will house scientific, technological and engineering

experiments to be carried on Apollo missions of up to two weeks duration

beginning in 1968.

After review cna evaluation of the design studies_ NASA plans to select

one of the firms to develop the experiments pallet flight hardware under a
cost-olus-incentive-fee contract.

The pallet will occupy one of the six pie-shaped segments in the service

module. It will be 146 inches high, 50 inches deep and 63 inches wide on

the outer surface. Total volume will be 170 cubic feet. Other segments of

tne service modules contain fuel tanks and electrica!_ enviro_nental and

propulsion systems.

Space in the pallet will be arranged in shelved compartments for

installation of the instr'Jaentation _equired for specific experiments. Some

of the experiments being studied for Apollo flights will require astronauts

to retrieve instrmmentation from the pallet and place it aboard the eo_=_and

module for return to earth. Other experiments will transmit data to eartq
d_'_, _ t?-s mi_:sion and will be left Ln the pallet.

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MSC 65-108

Lockheed_ McDonnell; Martin and Northrop were ,_,me

_S 9 firms which

respor_ded to request for proposal issued by the NASA Manned Spacecraft Center_
Houston ir_ Septe_fDer 1965.

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N,r"-IONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION

AFT ,Uouston
MANNED.cSPACE[TER Texas
2llnt:,_' 3-_i!! MSC ,-'-tO c}
November 'l , 71),5

}LOUST01{_ TEXAS -- The MSC remote site flight contro!_e_ te_Ams for

t_:c Oem_'-i 7/'} mission be_ian deployi:.g this week to the seve_ ieeat_o_ls

a-_'cu _ t:e world where they will exercise detailed real time missio:_ ceqtroi

i r!r i tie upcoming fights of the two Gemini spacecraft.

ix ' _lition to tm six remote sites: Canary Islarzds (C_WI); Canarvea

W. A_ssrai_a (CRO); Ka_ai; Hawaii (PLa.

W); Guaymas_ Mexico (GYM}; traeki_g

ship Rose P'-ot (RK); ar_d tracking ship Coastal Sentry (CS); a crew from

Houston will also man the Corpus Christi Tex._ (TEX) site.

The Le_ns_ each composed of from four to seven men, are scheduled to

be on station by noon Thanksgiving Day to begin preparing the sites and

crews for the network si._ruiations prior to the Gemini 7/6 mission.

A pre-mission prooaration phase will Ce the first order cf bus'ness _i

each remote site. The first day, briefings will be given the local main-

tone_nee and operations (M&C) people by the flight controllers.

T:tis will consist of briefings on the general mission flight p_e.n; and

a aiscussion of procedural changes that have been instituted since tko

irev_oes mission. The senior flight controller who is the Command

Co_tm'.u_,icator at each site will give the briefing.

The Gemini systems engineer will brief the M&0 groun on the Gemini

spacecraft and their unique aspects for the e,mcrent mission and any specialized

"backroom" monitoring procedures deemed aepropriate for a _iven sv)acecraft

pass or the entire mission.

A briefing by the aeromedical monitor will be held to provide t_}e N2cO

staff with the medical aspects of the mission and biomedical or other re-

S,_.L_'ehexoeriments to be perfor_med.

?c:ot?r member of the te:_r_ at t__e remote sites is the ast_?..a__t

slinu.!r.% r'. }/is duties prier tc the actual mission is to mar: ti _strere v
 k/l(i i

_/_C ' 5-1D9

si'_ulavor console at the remote site a_ud play the part of the astronauts in

t, _- _0_._c _t. He else controls the pre-mission remote site si_P£a!atiens.

_.r __ the mission he will perform duties as baekue co}_ls_ld coiNer,!Seater er

2Tacecraft svsLems en6ieeer at the site.

0n tile secena day a Retwork test simulation will be held et t_e remote

_it_, to ccnfiience test t}_e equipment. This will be followeg, by network tests

lr_ e O
t{ __6_,_'_,t-,.,
, the remote site ' _ the network oDeration._ Local confidence

seats {ire ru!! to intesrate· the remote site f!i_ht_ controllers _a'_"the M&0

peep!e sl:d at the sysco time dew}lop confidence in the remote site systems.

A o'_1,,
_' ' of readiness _is maintained at each site until lifteff on mission day.

N'Jor to deployment; the remote site crews study the standard oneratino-_
___

_wocedures
.... for the remote sites such as the use of the command system and

tcl,emetry_ the air-to-ground eommu_ications_ network tests and other necessary

procedures. Each man £lets at least three hours in the Gemini procedures

trainer for cockpit familiarization. They also attend systems and procedural

cr i _fi_N_s.

_ In the days before deployin S to the remote sites the crews take part in

i_:a_iated network simulations {'_'the Mission Control Center. From a back

room '_ the MCC_ the remote site flight controllers conduct simulated missions

as though t/iey ?_ere on station at the various sites.

The ecrm.and co_uricator at the remote site_ in addition to super-

visin_ the preparation of the site for the mission_ is the delegated re-

pre entative of the Mission Control Center Flight Director and serves as the

oner_lions manaser of the site and its supporting crew throughout the mission

phase. He is responsible for the air to ground eormaunications with the

spec, cz_It and for operation of the ground to spacecraft command system.

_my decision from a site that affects the mission is made by the command

e _inmuf_icat or.

_,_e Gemini _ysoem_ engineers will be at each site and their area of

r{spensibi!ity is to monitor_ analyze and report any spacecraft systems

anomalies noted on the telemetry displays They in turn will make reeom-

_er_ _c,l,/,, actzor tc the co__ana cemm_unicator and/or the NCC-_;i.

- -ruer O - -
iLfLd

HSC }-i0 _

Earl site will have t_,o surgeons (aeromedieal monitors} whose primary

resconsibi!ity is to monitor the physical amd physiological well bein{i of'

the astronauts via telemetry. The information is reported by the doctors

to the co_an_ co_mu__ieator who relays the information to the MCC-H.

Dva'in_i tNe colin'se of the mission the command eo_numieator normally

_'e_a_s ali information to thc MCC-H smd the spacecraft crew. The exception

bcin wlen a diseussior with the flight controller's counterpart at the

HCC-i is eeessaY'y to resolve a point.

T"c normal work day for the remote site flight controllers is 14 to _5

rio-,'s. The no,ms worked during each 2h-ho'_- period are determined by lift-

ol'['ti,_e of the spacecraft from Cape Kennedy_ which in turn sets the ground

track passes over each station. _n average of seven passes are over each

r'mote site daily.

During periods when the spacecraft is not over the site the operation

_-oes on standby. Then about two and one-half hours before acquisition time

o,u t_e first pass of a series of passes by the spacecraft_ all equipment at

the site is confidence tested and all mission telet}ioe messages are reviewed

_- ;)reparation _'o_- support of the mission.

7!i=ht contro]lers at the remote sites stay in commercial facilities as

_ear the sites as possible. Limited food facilities are available at all

remove stations _nd the crews usually :get in a little cooking experience also.

Tease me_roer assigrzaents vary from mission to mission and a flight

cc_d3ro!' r may be assigned to stay one of the seven sites for a Gemini flirWt.

With the ?resent schedule of Gemini f!i_hts_ many of the flight controllers

are on travel nearly hal _' of the time. Most of the men are married and

wcula like to seend more tithe with their families but the fact that they do

on(icy their work holds in some small way to help eompeasate {'or the time

_R',_j f_'om ho!he.

After the mission is completed and the crews return to Houston_ they

conduct a complete evaluation of the operation of equipment and procedures

used at the remote site _nd make necessary recom_nendations for hardware

:,]ar_ _' 5_at are deemed rm,c'essary to 4re.

prove operatlo:s. Tr_ey also e,/r.t:nnt

m _tati__n us_-d a_c vs./ _o make improvements _'cr i?!_ n_x% mi:sioN.

--!-CF_'--
NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION

b. NNEDSPACECRAFT H°ust°n
_CENTER ' Te x a S
HUnter 3-5111 MSC 65410
November 23, 1965

HOUSTON, TEXAS -- Astronauts on future space missions may be-

come space gourmets through the efforts of food technologists at

the Manned Spacecraft Center here and the U.S. Army Natick Labora-

tories in Massachusetts.

A compressed ice cream is high on the list of items under

evaluation. Tablets are prepared like other dehydrated foods now

carried by astronuts. Ice cream is frozen and the water content

is drawn out. Then the mixture is made into a powder, and com-

pressed into a tablet.

Comments on its flavor by a taste panel at MSC have been favor-

able. The majority compare it in taste with a malted milk tablet.

It comes in two flavors, chocolate and vanilla.

Barbecued meats are also being evaluated for future menus.

They include beef and pork barbecue bites and veal with barbecue

sauce. The first two are bite-_ized, the third is rehydrateable,

and water must be added before eating.

Space food experts say that if the new foods prove feasible

for spaceflight, they could appear as entrees sometime during the

Apollo program.

Other bite-size items considered include bacon, pork sausage,

scrapple, lobster, oyster, shrimp, salmon, and fish chowder.

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NATIONAL AERONAUTICS
kl 4 qAND SPACE ADMINISTRATION
''
MANNED
SPACECRAFT
, Houston
_CENTERmlM/I__ __11, Texas
HU 3-5111 MSC 65-111
December 21, 1965,

HOUSTON, TEXAS -- The Gemini 7 flight crew, astronauts Frank

Borman and James L_elL completed the medical phase of their post-

flight debriefing this afternoon at the Merritt Island medical facility.

According to Dr. Charles Berry, Chief of MSC's Medical Programs,

medical aspects of Borman's debriefing were finished about noon today,

while Lovell completed his this afternoon.

Both crew members will continue on their regulated calcium

balanced diet through noon tomorrow. Their diet will be changed

by the time they board the NASA aircraft for their return to the

Manned Spacecraft Center in Houston.

Tilt table results for both crew members have returned to nor-

mal with the final tests being accomplished today.

Other than routine checks and blood studies, due to be ac-

complished January 3, the gathering of the post flight medical data

is mostly completed, Dr. Berry indicated.

Dr. Berry said, _'A quick look at the data available to us from

Gemini 7 indicates that man has fared extremely well in two-weeks of

space environment."

However, because of the tremendous amount of data and samples

acquired, medical analysis of the data will not be detailed

until sometime later, Dr. Berry stressed.