Aug 31 1965
From The Space Library
"I certainly have seen nothing in the eight-day data that would lead me to be worried about a 14-day flight," Dr. Charles A. Berry, chief physician for the astronauts, told reporters at a news briefing in Cocoa Beach. He said that the GEMINI V astronauts were in good physical condition and were returning to normal as quickly as had the pilots of the four-day Gemini GT-4 flight in June. Changes in such indicators as the heart rate and blood pressure characteristics seemed to reflect adaptation to the weightless space environment and, later, to the stress of returning to normal gravity of earth, Dr. Berry explained. Heart rates became lower in space and rose above normal on returning to earth. At first, on return to earth, blood pressure did not respond as promptly as normal to tilt-table tests designed to show how well the circulatory system copes with sudden changes from horizontal to nearly-vertical posture. Cooper and Conrad lost about 7½ and 83/4 lbs, respectively, but had gained most of it back. This loss might have been a response to the space environment but was believed to be partly water loss after reentry while waiting in the sun to be rescued, Berry said. Both seemed to be less tired than their predecessors. (Schmeck, NYT, 9/1/65, 1, 15)
The world applauded the success of the GEMINI V mission: many leaders in Western Europe sent congratulatory cables to President Johnson, and newspapers in Great Britain, Malaysia, India, and Japan were among those giving the flight front-page coverage. The Soviet Union televised pictures of the astronauts and broadcast news reports of their landing. Only a few dissenting voices were heard-among them the Cuban newspaper Revolucion Which described the flight as "cosmic espionage." Communist China remained silent. (Wash. Post, 8/31/65, A3)
Soviet President Anastas Mikoyan cabled President Johnson: "Please accept, Mr. President, our congratulations to the American astronauts Cooper and Conrad on the safe conclusion of their Gemini V space flight." At the same time, Mstislav V. Keldysh, President of the Soviet Academy of Sciences, told Johnson that the Academy would reply promptly to a U.S. invitation to send a Russian scientist to observe the next Gemini launching. (Wash. Post, 9/1/65, A28)
First flight model of the S-IVB, Saturn IB second stage and Saturn V third stage, was formally presented to NASA by California Governor Edmund Brown in ceremonies at Douglas Aircraft Co.'s Sacramento Test Center. A hydrogen-fueled vehicle powered by a 200,000-lb,-thrust Rocketdyne engine, the 58-ft,-long 21½-ft.-dia. S-IVB would be shipped to Kennedy Space Center, NASA, aboard the Steel Executive. The stage had successfully undergone a 2½ min, full-power, preflight test-firing August 8. (MSFC Release 65-215)
A Centaur rocket similar to the vehicle launched successfully into a simulated lunar-transfer trajectory Aug. 11 from Kennedy Space Center, NASA, and a model of MARINER IV photographic Mars probe were being exhibited in the NASA display at Cleveland's Natural Science Museum, NASA had contributed displays to the museum for about 10 yrs. (LRC Release 65-60)
Secretary of the Air Force Eugene M. Zuckert named Gen. Bernard A. Schriever (USAF) as Director of the Manned Orbiting Laboratory Program. This assignment was in addition to his duties as Commander, Air Force Systems Command. B/Gen. Harry L. Evans was named Vice Director of the MOL Program and B/Gen. Russell A. Berg was named Deputy Director. (DOD Release 560-65)
Gen. Bernard A. Schriever, AFSC Commander, named B/Gen. Joseph S. Bleymaier as commander of the USAF Western Test Range with headquarters at Vandenberg AFB, Presently deputy commander for manned systems at AFSC Space Systems Div, General Bleymaier replaced B/Gen. Jewell C. Maxwell, recently named head of the FAA Supersonic Transport Program, In his new command, General Bleymaier would be responsible for maintaining, operating, and modifying as needed, the western portion of the national range in support of DOD, NASA, and other agency programs. (AFSC Release 130,65)
First flight of Super Guppy, developed by Aero Spacelines, Inc, for NASA and the world's largest aircraft in terms of cubic capacity. The aircraft was made up of sections from four Boeing 377 Stratocruisers as well as extensive new manufacture, Specifically designed to airlift outsized cargoes such as the S-IVB stage of the Saturn V launch vehicle and the Lunar Excursion Module Adapter for the Apollo program, the aircraft made its first flight from Van Nuys Airport to Mojave, Calif. (Huntsville Times, 9/9/65)
President Johnson approved the following policy on the promotion and decoration of astronauts: "1. Each military astronaut will receive a one grade promotion 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 process, "2. Each Gemini astronaut will be awarded the NASA Medal for Exceptional Service (or Cluster) after completion of a successful 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, including but not limited to accomplishments in actual flight, "3. Military decorations associated with space flights, such as awards for exceptional heroism or other distinguished service, will be determined on an individual basis consistent with general policy governing the award of traditional military decorations." (Text, Pres, Doc, 9/6/65, 183-84)
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