When We Left Earth - The NASA Missions
Δημοσιεύτηκε στις 1 Ιουλ 2013
The
story of how the space missions evolved from the X-15 fighter jet in
1959 to get people into space is explained. The programs began with the
Mercury missions: 7 men were selected to carry the first astronaut into
space "on top of a rocket capsule". There was a rush because of
competition with Russia: initially not much was known (a) whether the
rockets would work, and (b) whether man could survive in space. At the
beginning an ape called "Ham" was the first animal that flew. Eventually
Alan Shepard was selected, BUT it is learned that the Soviet Union had
been the first nation to put a man in space: Yuri Gagarin.
Then
John Glenn was selected in 1962 for the longest mission:5 days of
weightlessness. He takes off but runs into trouble - the world waits -
but the Friendship 7 flight worked and "it was obvious that the Russians
are not beating us".
The process moves on to a more scientific
set of missions, led by Scott Carpenter, called the Aurora program. More
problems arise, but are overcome. Aurora 7 is recovered.
The
next program are the Gemini launches, and here president Kennedy
announces the goal of flying to the moon and back.Ten missions are
planned. John Young and Gus Grisman are chosen. A new launch missile,
the Titan was scary - "the rocket was like a controlled explosion".
Engineers fix the problems. In March 1965, "it was white knuckles" when
Gemini 3 was launched but the astronauts were recovered.
The next
big challenge was "walking in space", also known as EVA - Extra
Vehicular Activity. During this time weightlessness was tested using a
specially modified plane called "the vomit Comet". Spacesuit design was
another problem - going from 250 degrees above zero to 250 degrees below
zero rather quickly.
There was still competition with the
Soviets, and NASA rushed matters. It was "a risky business" with EVA
training performed in secret. On Gemini 4, in 1964, Ed White made the
first EVA.
Then it was the "Rendezvous" effort where two
spacecraft could coordinate for an eventual moon landing. Gemini 6 and
Gemini 7 came within 20 feet of each other for 3 orbits. Then Gemini 7
travelled 6 million miles in 14 days. The effort weakened the
astronaut's legs.
Finally Dave Scott and Neil Armstrong
demonstrated docking in 1966 in the Gemini 8 flight. There were
problems, but recovery was achieved.
There were 4 Gemini missions left. Gene Cerman and Tom Stafford flew Gemini 9. It didn't work. Neither did more Gemini attempts.
Finally
Buzz Aldrin, who practised weightless motion under water, on Gemini's
final mission, Aldrin conducted three successful EVAs.
Things were then set for the Apollo missions.
story of how the space missions evolved from the X-15 fighter jet in
1959 to get people into space is explained. The programs began with the
Mercury missions: 7 men were selected to carry the first astronaut into
space "on top of a rocket capsule". There was a rush because of
competition with Russia: initially not much was known (a) whether the
rockets would work, and (b) whether man could survive in space. At the
beginning an ape called "Ham" was the first animal that flew. Eventually
Alan Shepard was selected, BUT it is learned that the Soviet Union had
been the first nation to put a man in space: Yuri Gagarin.
Then
John Glenn was selected in 1962 for the longest mission:5 days of
weightlessness. He takes off but runs into trouble - the world waits -
but the Friendship 7 flight worked and "it was obvious that the Russians
are not beating us".
The process moves on to a more scientific
set of missions, led by Scott Carpenter, called the Aurora program. More
problems arise, but are overcome. Aurora 7 is recovered.
The
next program are the Gemini launches, and here president Kennedy
announces the goal of flying to the moon and back.Ten missions are
planned. John Young and Gus Grisman are chosen. A new launch missile,
the Titan was scary - "the rocket was like a controlled explosion".
Engineers fix the problems. In March 1965, "it was white knuckles" when
Gemini 3 was launched but the astronauts were recovered.
The next
big challenge was "walking in space", also known as EVA - Extra
Vehicular Activity. During this time weightlessness was tested using a
specially modified plane called "the vomit Comet". Spacesuit design was
another problem - going from 250 degrees above zero to 250 degrees below
zero rather quickly.
There was still competition with the
Soviets, and NASA rushed matters. It was "a risky business" with EVA
training performed in secret. On Gemini 4, in 1964, Ed White made the
first EVA.
Then it was the "Rendezvous" effort where two
spacecraft could coordinate for an eventual moon landing. Gemini 6 and
Gemini 7 came within 20 feet of each other for 3 orbits. Then Gemini 7
travelled 6 million miles in 14 days. The effort weakened the
astronaut's legs.
Finally Dave Scott and Neil Armstrong
demonstrated docking in 1966 in the Gemini 8 flight. There were
problems, but recovery was achieved.
There were 4 Gemini missions left. Gene Cerman and Tom Stafford flew Gemini 9. It didn't work. Neither did more Gemini attempts.
Finally
Buzz Aldrin, who practised weightless motion under water, on Gemini's
final mission, Aldrin conducted three successful EVAs.
Things were then set for the Apollo missions.
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