50 Years

On this morning 50 years ago, Naval pilot Alan Shepard, wearing his silver flight suit and white helmet, was raised by a small elevator to his waiting spacecraft, Freedom 7, perched atop a modified Redstone IRBM. Delays ensued at Cape Canaveral, as engineers and technicians raced to eliminate any glitch that popped up that would compromise the safety of the spacecraft's pilot. Shepard was getting weary of these holds to the countdown, and knowing his prowess as a test pilot, with a steely determination said, "Let's light this candle!" At 9:34am ET, the engine of the Redstone ignited, and America watched it's first astronaut ascend to space. 15 minutes later, the trip was over, with Freedom 7 safely parachuting to a landing in the Atlantic Ocean 300 miles away from the Cape. The astronaut and his spacecraft were recovered by aircraft carrier USS Lake Champlain, a welcome sight to Shepard.

Today, to honor the service of Shepard, the Freedom 7 is on display in Annapolis, Maryland, at the Armel-Leftwich Visitor Center. Access is available to the public. The capsule has a place of honor in the rotunda leading to the center's exhibit area. It is encased in plexiglas, missing its hatch (which was jettisoned by Shepard during recovery), and has the Earth observing periscope deployed. This capsule was originally displayed in the Smithsonian, then moved to the National Air & Space Museum.

Today, we celebrate 50 years of Americans in Space, as we honor the flight of Freedom 7.

Orbiter Retirement Homes

It's official. Today at Kennedy Space Center, in the shadow of Orbital Processing Facility 1 and the orbiter Atlantis, NASA Administrator Charlie Bolden choked back tears as he announced the retirement of the orbiter fleet. His emotions were from love and respect, not only of the spacecraft he has had the opportunity to ride four times into space, but also for the men and women, some gathered around him, who give the fleet wings. Here is the rundown of where the orbiters will one day chock their wheels for the final time:

OV-101 Enterprise

The flight-test orbiter which has been displayed at the Udvar-Hazy Center will fly one more time to its new home at the Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum in New York, NY. It will be displayed on the dock along side the naval vessel that was used to recover both Mercury and Gemini spacecraft.

OV-103 Discovery

With Enterprise vacating its current home, way will be made for Discovery to be displayed at America's premier facility for aerospace history. The Udvar-Hazy Center location has been known for quite some time, so no surprise for most of the people in the audience.

OV-104 Atlantis

Met with a cheer and a standing ovation, Bolden announced Atlantis will remain at the Kennedy Space Center and located in the Visitor Complex in the current Shuttle Plaza.

OV-105 Endeavour

A surprise to me was the location of Endeavour at the California Science Center in Los Angeles, CA. While I suspected a west coast location for one of the orbiters, I guessed a location with a slightly more aerospace focused theme. The CSC will provide a worthy home in a high population, vacation destination locale.

So, that's it, kids. Two more flights, then see them on display. While it will be sad to see them grounded, there is and will always be an immense amount of pride in the gems of the Space Transportation System.

Atlantis to Kennedy?

Florida Today posts that OV-104 Atlantis will remain at Kennedy Space Center for retirement.

We'll know for sure at 1:00PM today.

Getting Ready for 30

Next week brings the 30th anniversary of the first launch of the space shuttle. Festivities are planned for the KSC Visitor Complex (weather and government shut-down permitting) at which Administrator Charlie Bolden will announce where these historical spacecraft will retire. Allow me to place my prediction in writing, and to be used as a reference once the decision is released.

Discovery OV-103 - Udvar-Hazy Center, Chantilly, VA

This is the only place previously announced, as the Smithsonian is granted first dibs to NASA hardware. The twist could occur if the money needed to provide this institution with the required funds to obtain the orbiter is not produce by congress. Would NASA give them a bye and allow for the time needed to get the funds, being in the same congressional budget boat? Or would they say the Enterprise is good enough and be satisfied with that? My bet is they get it, which would leave Enterprise available to fly somewhere else.

Atlantis OV-104 - National Museum of the United States Air Force, Dayton, OH

This selection would place an orbiter in the center of the Heartland, but also acknowledge the contribution of the USAF in the development of the orbiter. Fully half of the development cost was carried by the Air Force, and plans to provide an orbiter (Discovery) to be launched from Vandenberg Air Force Base ere well underway when the Challenger accident occurred. This disaster caused the military to rethink their plans to use orbiters and they withdrew their claim, allowing Discovery to remain with NASA. Never the less, the orbiter was used to launch many military payloads and it seems fitting to honor the missions by granting a shuttle to the Air Force Museum.

Endeavour OV-105 - Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex, KSC, FL

I'm trying hard to be biased here, but among all the proposals I have seen, this one tops the list. Where many of the proposed displays consisted of versions of "we will build a big glass box to put the orbiter in", the KSCVC has an outstanding presentation to not only showcase an orbiter but to tell its story. After entering a preshow orientation that highlights the process of getting an orbiter ready for flight, a wall opens to reveal Endeavour, suspended at a 45º angle in front of moving representation of the Earth from orbit. A walkway allows for views of the orbit up close and personal while maintaining the integrity and safety of the vehicle. Alcoves off the main floor will highlight the Hubble Space Telescope, International Space Station, and the shuttle programs. All this will be constructed in front of the existing Shuttle Launch Experience attraction, so after your encounter, you can see what it is like to ride one. No other venue allows for such a complete experience. Besides, Administrator Bolden would have to have a tremendous amount of chutzpah to announce at KSC without promising one of the orbiters would stay. And, as Center Director Bob Cabana says, "Possession is 9/10ths of the law!"

Enterprise OV-101 Museum of Flight, Seattle, WA

While this is one of those 'glass boxes' I mocked earlier, I believe one of the orbiters would find a home on the west coast and this seems the likely place. Having astronaut Bonnie Dunbar as the museum director can't hurt. And though Enterprise never reached orbit I think the museum would be thrilled at the acquisition.

Wild cards - Three other locations have high hopes and some compelling strengths (mostly political) that may alter the above placement: Space Center Houston, Houston, TX; Intrepid Air & Space Museum, New York, NY; and Adler Planetarium, Chicago, IL. While these locations each offer large populations that an orbiter could attract, only Houston has the historical perspective that such a placement would complement. I just don't think the SCH has the facilities or capability at this point to provide for the needs of an orbiter. In my humble opinion, an orbiter going to any of these otherwise worthy museums would indicate a compromise of principals and be made for purely political reasons.

Next week will show if my predictions are correct. Until then, leave your comments.

My Kind of Town

Today I am in Chicago for a conference, so I took the afternoon to revisit some old friends. Chicago is one of the few places that host the trifecta of historical spacecraft, Mercury, Gemini, and Apollo. Interestingly, they are not found at the same location. While the Crown Space Center at the Museum of Science and Industry boasts Aurora 7 (Mercury) and the Apollo 8 Command Module, you have to travel up the lake front to the Adler Planetarium to see the Gemini 12 spacecraft.

The three are displayed very differently, and show an evolution of design. Aurora 7 is enclosed in a plastic shell, similar to it's sisters, with the exception of Faith 7 and Liberty Bell 7. These have been found to be less than ideal: while they prevent the unwanted touch of visitors, they tend to trap moisture and outgassing that occurs over time. Apollo 8 is displayed within a plexiglas pen. Being open to the room solves the problems stated, but now exposes the vehicle to have items thrown in and changes in the environment of the display area. Gemini 12 leads us to a technological solution developed by the good folks at the Kansas Cosmosphere and Space Center. Originating with it's display of the Liberty Bell 7, they have developed an environmentally controlled case that allows close examination of the spacecraft while protecting it. I expect we will see more and more displays like this, as spacecraft change location (I'll write about Apollo 14's move sometime soon), better ways to preserve the historic heritage will be implemented.

Some Fixes and a Titan Tale

On this fine holiday (observed) I was able to get in and fix some things in the Field Guide that had been creating some problems. There are still a few more things to work through but at least it looks nicer.

One update I did post is in relation the the Titan II that once stood at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex's Rocket Garden. This booster was assessed following the trio of hurricanes that swept through the Space Coast in 2004. Now, I just told a lie, because what was in the Rocket Garden was not a Titan II, but a Titan I primary stage with a second Titan I upturned and stacked on top. A mockup of a Gemini spacecraft sat on top of that. Even so, it was determined that it was worth preserving. But to do so, it would need to be removed so interior work could be performed. The unstacking went as planned, but when the first stage was lifted a retaining ring sheered due to corrosion. A quick assessment found the booster could be saved, so it was placed in a storage yard at KSC.

In the meantime, the U.S. Air Force had discontinued use of all Titan II ICBMs and placd them in storage in its boneyard near Tuscon, Arizona. Some quick timing by KSC exhibits developer Luis Berrios snagged a complete Titan II before it could make its date with the shredder. This booster is now being prepared to represent one of its sisters, painted as one of the man-rated Titans that lofted the Gemini spacecraft to orbit. When it arrives at KSC, you'll be the first to know!

And the old booster? The one that was damaged? It has now made its way to the Johnson Space Center where it will join their Rocket Park sometime in the future. More pictures can be seen on the Field Guide.

May I Ask?

A Field Guide to American Spacecraft has been a great hobby on mine over the last thirteen years, one that has introduced me to a lot of great friends and space enthusiasts from around the world. I am humbled each time I see it mentioned in a story or used as a reference, and that encourages me to continue and try to be as authoritative as possible. I hope to continue to provide this resource for many years.

With every hobby comes a certain expense, and this is no exception. It is one I gladly bare, but one I would ask know to share. On the navigation menu on the left of each Field Guide page you will find a 'Donate' button, as well as a link on the right of the blog in the 'Links' section. I've included it for any who would like to help out with the Field Guide. No amounts are listed, give as you like. To be clear, the Field Guide will continue regardless of any amount collected. If you like it and can contribute, my thanks. If not, please continue enjoying it knowing your pleasure makes it satisfying to me. And please don't forget to let me know of any sightings, corrections, or bugs that you find. Your help will make A Field Guide to American Spacecraft the most complete guide on the internet.

Your obedient servant,

Jim Gerard

Some Updates

Wow, it's been a while. But I've finally had an opportunity to fix the menus on the Field Guide. I use a program called GoLive which incorporates components that can be changed and then automatically copied to all the pages. When I add a new section all the menus have to reflect that. My GoLive crashed and I had to hunt down another copy to load into my computer. This happened last week, and I was able to finally update.

I also uploaded a 13th Anniversary graphic I actually made back in January. I'm sure you'll get the significance, and a little of the humor.

The big update is new images of Apollo 14 in the new display area at the Apollo-Saturn V Center at KSC. This was made last year, but I was unable to get over there until now. I notice I still have some work to do, some broken links, but you can check out the thumbnails.

UPDATE: I was able to fix many of the Apollo 14 links as well as missing images on the BP-30 page this morning. Still have a little work to do before I'm satisfied!

The big news is the return of the Gemini-Titan to KSCVC is imminent. The previous Titan suffered stress damage during the storms of '05, and was further damaged during removal. The remains are located in a storage yard just of KSC's Ransom Road. More on this and the new Titan II is an upcoming post.

Thanks for reading and supporting the Field Guide!

Discovery Lands at KSC

Discovery is ten minutes away from landing here at KSC as I start writing this. Through the walls of the HQ building I have heard the jet rumble of the Shuttle Training Aircraft, a modified Gulfstream 5, which flies the route before landing to visually check on weather conditions. Specially equipped with flight-deployable air breaks it can 'hang' and drop in the same landing approach as the orbiter. The shuttle itself drops faster and steeper than a normal aircraft, so training orbiter pilots demands a novel test vehicle.

Here I go outside. More in a minute....

BOOM! BOOM!

And by the time I'm back at my desk, the orbiter is wheels stopped on Runway 33. A beautiful sight, as this approach brought the orbiter almost directly over HQ. Orbiter and crew now safe and sound on Terra Frima.

A few things to know about these events (and there are only three more left, so listen up!):

The two sonic booms are produced by shock waves emanating from the orbiter nose and tail.

After the booms, you can hear the sound of the orbiter cutting through the air, and possibly the APUs (auxillary power units). Which is what the booms are: the compressed sound waves of all the soundthat would normally precede the orbiter (this is a very rudimentary explaination).

The STA follows a minute behind the orbiter.

While thousands of people may come to the center to watch a launch, only a few hundred are invited to the landing site. The viewing area is close enough that, if hypergolic fuel is leaking from a valve in the reaction control system, evacuation must be immediate. Busses are left running in case of this emergency. It is also why you see the first responders dressed in the full emergency suits with airpacks.

Technically speaking, the orbiter does not 'fly' or 'glide' until the last 30 seconds or so when the nose elevates above the horizontal.. That is when the wings start producing lift. Everything before that is a 'controlled descent', or what my friend Buzz Lightyear refers to as "Falling with style!"

The drag produced by the creation of lift also rapidly drops the airspeed, threatening a stall. The art is to hold off the stall until touchdown on the runway.

Runway 33 and Runway 15 are the same runway. The numbers indicate the approach heading, 33 toward the north at heading 330º, and 15 toward the south at heading 150º.

Time to end this and post while it is still timely. While launches are magnificent, landings are exquisite. I would almost prefer to watch a landing. Guess I'll have to figure out how to get a ride with the Navy for the future.

Like a Norwegian Blue: Beautiful Plumage

Working out of KSC I have been witness to many a launch. I know that launches at dusk or dawn can be particularly beautiful, as the light effects of the rising sun turn exhaust trails into works of art. Monday morning's launch of Discovery produced a display that surprised not only me but everyone at HQ I chatted with.



This beautiful display has some serious science behind it. You all know that as the orbiter ascends, it is traveling through increasingly rarefied atmosphere, until it reaches a near vacuum at orbital altitude. You also know that the Space Shuttle Main Engines (SSME) works off of Newton's First Law of Motion, and the action of the exhaust leaving the engine bell produces the reaction of the engine and shuttle moving away. The exhaust does not need to 'push' against anything to produce thrust. While this is true, the exhaust does push against something, the gasses of atmosphere. At sea level, atmospheric pressure helps constrain the exhaust into the familiar plume we see.

This Gemini-Titan launch shows an exhaust plume

constrained by sea level atmospheric pressure.

(Image by NASA)

As the rocket ascends, the thinner atmosphere allows the exhaust plume to expand. Engineers plan for this with the shape of the engine exhaust bell. Second-stage engine bells designed to work at high altitude are different than those on the first stage booster. Some engines are designed with an extendable collar that slips down at high altitude to take advantage of the expanding exhaust by increasing the length of the bell.

Notice different exhaust plume indications in this simplified SSME illustration.

(Image by Pratt and Whitney)

The SSMEs are designed to operate through the whole atmosphere, and optimized for mid altitudes after solid rocket booster seperation. When the orbiter reaches higher altitudes the exhaust rapidly expands. Although this lowers the efficiency of the SSME, the decreasing weight of the external tank and lack of atmospheric drag allow it to continue to thrust the shuttle to orbit. The video above (which appears to have been taken from near the US 1 highway in Titusville, FL) shows this expanding plume. Remember, this happens on every flight. What made this different was the darkness of the sky and the plume being illuminated by the sun just over the horizon. A beautiful confluence of technology and nature.

Aftermath of the launch plume in the light of sunrise.

(Picture by Jim Gerard)

New Computer, New Problem

I had to have my computer replaced due to a bad logic board (their explanation. I can see them in the back room hitting it with a rolled up newsparper, "Bad logic board! Bad! Bad!"). Anyway, they were able to transfer all my files over so I'm cool there, but some of my 'professional' software did not port over. So I'm down my web maintenance software and the Field Guide is needing help. Hopefully, I'll get my copy back this week and can get in and do the fixes I need to and some much needed updates. Until then, ignore any broken links and missing images, as the lists and locations should still come up. Thanks for your patience!

Spacecraft of the Week #17

Gemini VIII is this weeks featured spacecraft. Commanded by Neil Armstrong and piloted by David Scott, this spacecraft successfully launched to and docked with an Agena target vehicle in 1966.

Shortly after docking, the spacecraft began rolling on its long access access. The Agena was shut down, but the problem persisted. Scott noticed the ships fuel supply was dropping, indicating the problem was with the Gemini. The astronauts undocked the two spacecraft and began to move away.

However, just like an ice skater who accelerates her spin by bringing in her arms (the conservation of angular momentum), the Gemini began to rapidly roll, reaching a rate of one revolution per second. This threatened the astronauts who risked losing their visual acuity and or consciousness. Armstrong reacted quickly by disabling the Gemini's system of thrusters, and, using the backup reentry thrusters, regained control of the ship. This act would cut short their mission to just 10 hours.

Though many mission objectives remained unfulfilled, Armstrong's quick reaction and presence of mind would be a factor in his selection to command Americas first mission to the lunar surface. Launched this week in 1966, and now on display at the Armstrong Air and Space Museum in Wapakoneta, Ohio, the 17th Spacecraft of the Week, Gemini VIII.

Spacecraft of the Week #16

This weeks' honored spacecraft has traveled almost as much after its mission as during it. Apollo 9, nicknamed Gumdrop for its shape, was launched to low Earth orbit 41 years ago this week. During its stay in space, it rehearsed the upcoming lunar missions by docking to and extracting a Lunar Module, transferring crew, separating and going through the paces of a moon landing. After 10 days in orbit, it returned to Earth, splashing down in the Atlantic Ocean.

After its return, it was sent to the Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas where engineers went over all parts of the spacecraft, checking and double checking to ensure craft and crew survivability of what was yet to come. After this inspection, it was placed on public display in the JSC Visitor Center.

Apollo 9 was later transferred to Jackson, Michigan and became the crown jewel of the collection at the Michigan Space and Science Center, located on the campus of Jackson Community College. While the collection was impressive, the center proved to costly and the college had to close it and remove the artifacts. Many of them, as well as curator Stewart Bailey, wound up at the Air Zoo in nearby Kalamazoo. Apollo 9 was a sweeter plum sought after by many. Since the spacecraft (as almost all flown spacecraft) is on loan from the Smithsonian National Air & Space Museum, they evaluated the requests and settled on San Diego.

The San Diego Air & Space Museum is located on the grounds of Balboa Park in the Ford Building, built as part of the California Pacific International Exposition, which was held in 1935 and 1936. There it was placed prominently in the entrance rotunda, sharing it's starring position with other aircraft manufactured in California (the Apollo spacecraft was built in Downey, California). The capsule is very accessible, forgoing the plexiglas cover seen on other Apollo capsules. It is displayed without it's hatch, which is sitting nearby.

So after 10 days in space and criss-crossing the US, Gumdrop finally rests about a 200 miles form where it was created. For that, and to celebrate its launch anniversary, Apollo 9 is this weeks' "Spacecraft of the Week'.

Spacecraft of the Week #15

Long past time for a new Spacecraft of the Week. I've missed several weeks due to job and family responsibilities. So in starting over anew we'll honor an anniversary this week (or, rather, last Saturday) and present the Mercury MA-6 spacecraft flown by Co. John Glenn on February 20, 1962, Friendship 7.

Continuing in the tradition established by Alan Shepard and Gus Grissom, Glenn included the numeral 7 as he chose Friendship as his craft's name. Although born of the Cold War, America's civilian space program was conducted in the name of peace and international goodwill. Friendship 7 finally enabled America to match the Soviet feat of orbiting a man around the Earth. But what was our successful first threatened to come to a fiery end.

First an aside. The Soviets knew as the Americans that a return to Earth from space would produce an incredible array of forces both on the spacecraft and its human occupant. Deceleration could be accomplished with parachutes and/or rockets, but these added weight to the spacecraft. Since the Soviet designers included an ejection seat to safely remove the cosmonaut during a launch mishap, they utilized this to allow the returning traveler to separate himself from his craft and descend by his own parachute, allowing the spacecraft to land with a force greater than a human could bare. Why do this? So that all aspects of flight and landing could occur safely within the confines of the mother country, where stories could be tightly controlled.

NASA, meanwhile, opted to use the vast oceans and its powerful naval forces to recover its astronauts and spacecraft. While water landing reduces the shock of impact, more cusioning was needed. So the capsule was designed with a mechanism to detach the protective heat shield and drop down extending a cylindrical skirt. This skirt would fill with air, and provide a cushion to the craft and it's rider. It was this detachable shield that created the drama.

As Glenn orbited the Earth, ground controllers at mission control in Cape Canaveral saw a disconcerting sight: the light indicating detachment of the shield was illuminated. This could prove catastrophic, as the heat shield protected the craft during re-entry. If detached, it would be torn away and the spaceship and its occupant would disintegrate in a meteoric fireball. A plan was developed, and the message was sent to Glenn to not eject the retro pack. They did not tell Glenn this was meant to hold the head shield in place, hopefully long enough to do its job. Glenn caught on fast and figured out it was something with the heat shield. The resulting reentry was especially spectacular as the retro pack burned away. It was later found the sensor was faulty and there was no danger from a deployed shield, but the experience led to new guidelines in crisis management and communication with the astronaut.

Currently, Friendship 7 is displayed in the National Air & Space Museum under the Wright Flyer. A layer of plexiglas protects it from the thousands of visitors daily. While the plexiglas makes photography difficult, it does allow guests to get very close with this historic craft. It's difficult to imagine a human being sitting inside this small vehicle and hurtling through the heavens. So we salute our first orbiting astronaut and the spacecraft in which he traveled as our Spacecraft of the Week.

Want a Shuttle?

Although this has sat off Florida State Route 3 south of Kennedy Space Center since 2005, I just now got around to posting it in the Field Guide. Being on my way to the office, I could see it every day. I remember noticing the large blue tarp covered structure and thinking it was shaped like a space shuttle nose, but it wasn't until after a bad storm when wind blew down the tarp that revealed what it was. One day, not long after the storm, a car was parked nearby and the gate was open. I met Chuck ryan, who began building the mockup as an engineering project while attending the California Polytechnic State University. He brought it out to Florida at the request of NASA to be used as an emergency trainer by the KSC Fire and Rescue Department. At the time I met Chuck, the site had flooded and I could not enter. But the tarp was replaced, occasionally being disarrayed by other wind storms.

Last week, the tarp was removed, the windows covered (the red covers are similar to those that protect the orbiter's windows) and a new name painted on: Resolution! (yes, the exclamation mark is part of the name). At least it is now clearly apparent what it is.

I know Chuck would like to find a good home for his baby, preferably one that helps protect it from further destruction by the elements. It has a crew cabin including a fully equipped flight deck.

Spacecraft of the Week #14

A couple weeks ago we honored Gemini VII as the Spacecraft of the Week. This week, we do the same for its counterpart, Gemini VI. Due to the loss of its intended target vehicle, Gemini VI, crewed by Wally Schirra and Thomas Stafford, was delayed until after the long-duration mission of Gemini VII began. This was the first time Americans had two spacecraft in orbit simultaneously, and gave mission controllers crucial experience that would be needed by the Apollo missions.

Gemini VI spent many years in the city of its creation, St. Louis, Missouri, at the St. Louis Science Center. In 2003, it was moved to the Kansas Cosmosphere and Space Center where it underwent a cleaning and refurbishment. The pilot door was reattached and the capsule was placed in one of the Comosphere's new spacecraft display cases. It was then moved to Oklahoma City where it spent a few years at the Omniplex Science Museum. In 2007, it moved to the center of the city where it currently resides at the Oklahoma History Center in a display that honors all of Oklahoma's astronauts. It should be noted the Thomas Stafford is a native a Weatherford, Oklahoma, just 30 miles west of Oklahoma City. Occasionally, that helps if you are looking to display a flown spacecraft.

Spacecraft of the Week #13

This week we honor the final Apollo moon flight and make the Apollo 17 Command Module America the Spacecraft of the Week. Launched on Pearl Harbor day, December 7 in the year 1972, Apollo 17 was the most ambitious lunar mission to date. Carrying Gene Cernan, Ron Evans and Harrison Schmidt to the moon, America would remain in orbit with Evans while Cernan and Schmidt lived in the moon for three days. Many people call the "last" mission to the moon. I like to refer to it as the most recent. I refuse to believe that we will not again venture out into that "magnificent desolation". We can do it, if we have the will. And it will drive the economy up more than and faster than any stimulus package.

You can find America at Space Center Houston, Houston Texas. Although displayed in subdued lighting, it is uncovered (save the hatch area covered with plexiglas) so up close detailed photography is possible besides the artistic mood shots (as I try to illustrate). It is also displayed with a flown Mercury (Faith 7) and Gemini (Gemini V), one of only two places in the world where the three flown and manned spacecraft can be seen in the same room, the other being the National Air and Space Museum in Washington DC. So to honor all those who made the lunar missions possible, and to look forward toward more to come, we salute Apollo 17 as our Spacecraft of the Week.

Spacecraft of the Week #12

Gemini VII was launched 44 years ago on December 4, 1965. Commanding the flight was Jim Lovell, with Frank Borman as Pilot. Two things made this flight unique: at the time, it was the longest US spaceflight and remained so until the Skylab missions, and it was part of the first dual-spacecraft mission conducted by NASA. Scheduled for a 14 day stay in space, the Gemini crew members were to investigate long term spaceflight. An added bonus came when Gemini VI's Agena target vehicle crashed into the ocean shortly after liftoff. Rather than cancel the mission, VII became VI's target for rendezvous. It provided immeasurable experience to the mission control teams in handling two spacecraft simultaneously, a needed skill for the upcoming Apollo missions with its separate command and lunar modules. Photographically, it provided the first good images of a manned spacecraft in orbit. We are so used to seeing the shuttle or the space station floating in space we forget these images used to be the exception rather than the rule.

For the rendezvous Gemini VII was the passive target, but the long duration flight provided the real challenges. Imagine spending two weeks with another person in an area the size of a bathroom stall and you'll get the idea. And you would have a toilet to use! For the crew of G-VII space was a premium. Packing enough food for the mission, and then where to place the trash, was a job for puzzle solvers. The crew practiced shoving trash behind their seats. They did not have the option of depressurizing their craft and opening a door to toss the stuff outside, as they wore a new long-duration spacesuit that was not made for such an event.

These new suits could be removed, even in the cramped quarters of the capsule, though mission rules only allowed one astronaut to doff his suit at a time. After five days, NASA relented and allowed both men to remove their pressure suits. Although much more comfortable, the chore to stash the suits so as not to interfere with spacecraft operation became a new challenge.

After a week, the novelty of spaceflight wore off. The crew was allowed free time, an unthinkable thing for previous flights. They took to reading books they packed for the time: Borman reading Roughing It by Mark Twain, and Lovell reading Drums Along the Mohawk by Walter D. Edmonds.

Recovery came on the fourteenth day with a flawless use of the retro rockets, and found the spacecraft had landed in the Pacific just 11.8 kilometers from the recovery ship, the USS Wasp. The astronauts were a little week from their time in microgravity, but were able to stand and greet the naval crew that recovered them. The spacecraft spent time at Johnson Space Center under investigation for it's long term in space, and then was turned over to the Smithsonian's National Air & Space Museum. For several years it was suspended in the second floor hall of space exploration, but has since been moved to a new display area near the Space Shuttle Enterprise at the Stephen F. Udvar-Hazy Center. There it is displayed without doors, enclosed in a plexiglas envelope to allow a good view of the interior.

For paving the way for future flights to the moon and our first long duration mission in space, Gemini VII is this week's Spacecraft of the Week.

Smithsonian Apollo Program Online Conference

Today, the Smithsonian Air & Space Museum hosted a virtual conference about the Apollo Program. The six hour online conference covered the following topics: Session #1 – Placing Apollo in Historical Context Session; #2 – Getting to the Moon: Apollo Technology Session; #3 – Presidents, Politics, Social Climate; Session #4 – Apollo Artifacts Session; #5 – Apollo Imagery & its Place in Society Session; and #6 – Remembering Apollo. Among the presenters were friends of the Field Guide Roger Launius, Senior Curator, Michael Neufeld, Chair of Space History, and Allan Needell, Curator of Space History.

The conference seemed well attended, based on the chatter in the text box where participants were able to ask questions. Historical context of the Apollo Program was the theme, and the presentation gave great insight into the times and events. Due to a telecon conflict I was forced to miss the voice portions of sessions 4 and 5, but continued to monitor the presentation and chat.

I was already thoroughly pleased with the conference, when Allan Needell began the sixth session by showing the Field Guide home page and recommending it as a source to locate Apollo hardware. He then gave me a shout out for participating in the chat. Thanks, Allan! If any conference attendees have visited the Field Guide and found their way to this blog, welcome! Please leave a comment and let me know you are here! And thanks again to all those involved from the Air & Space Museum for a great conference!

Spacecraft of the Week #11

Gemini XII was launched with astronauts Jim Lovell and Buzz Aldrin on November 11 (Veterans Day) in 1966. The spacecraft in question was home to the astronauts for 4 days, during which Buzz Aldrin conducted three spacewalks. After an almost disastrous EVA on Gemini XI, Buzz helped engineer handholds and foot restraints and barely broke a sweat on his walk, indicating astronauts would be able to work outside the spacecraft landing on the moon. As the finale of the Gemini program it was a resounding success.

The spacecraft was checked out after recovery at Johnson Space Center, and transported for display at the Museum of Transport and Technology in Aukland, New Zealand. After many years it returned to the states and was then placed for display at the Goddard Space Flight Center. It was paired at the Visitor Center there nose to nose with a sit-in model. Looking out the window while sitting in the model always reminded me of the Gemini VII - Gemini VI rendezvous in space. In 2005, the Smithsonian was asked to relocate the spacecraft.

The Adler Planetarium in Chicago had undergone a major renovation and wanted a 'capstone' to highlight man's relationship with space. Chicago native Jim Lovell was instrumental in bringing his old spacecraft to his hometown. No longer enclosed in a plexiglas cocoon, the capsule was placed in climate controlled display case designed and built by the Kansas Cosmosphere and Space Center. This new case is a prototype for future displays. Although it may somewhat restrict viewing and photography by boxing in the capsule, the importance of protecting the aging craft become paramount. Similar cases have been constructed for Gemini 3 , Gemini VI and Gemini X, Liberty Bell 7, and Apollo 13.

So to honor its history and for trailblazing a new way to preserve and display these important artificers, Gemini XII is our Spacecraft of the Week.