May 24 1962
From The Space Library
AURORA 7 with Astronaut M. Scott Carpenter (Cdr., USN) as pilot, launched on MA-7 orbital mission by Atlas booster from Cape Canaveral, the second U.S. manned orbital flight and the fourth U.S. manned space flight. Almost faultless countdown, launch was delayed only briefly by ground fog, and Mercury spacecraft was placed into orbit at 17,532 mph (apogee: 167.4 miles; perigee: 99 miles; period: 88.3 minutes). Astronaut Carpenter performed series of space science and technical development experiments including visual and photographic observations of star fields and "white particles," consumption of solid foods, release of tethered multi-colored balloon to test sighting, and observation of separated Atlas booster. 81,200-mile flight featured attitude stabilization and control pilotage for completion of three orbits, and monitoring of control-systems fuel for proper retrofire attitude. Re-entry caused landing impact point over 200 miles beyond intended area and beyond radio range of recovery forces. After landing, Carpenter egressed through top of capsule and climbed on inflated raft awaiting rescue, to be joined by two USAF paramedics, Airman John T. Heitsch and S/Sgt.. Ray E. McClure, who inflated Stulken collar to prevent capsule from sinking. After three hours on water, Astronaut Carpenter was picked up by a helicopter from U.S.S. Intrepid, and his capsule was retrieved by the destroyer Pierce. Astronaut Carpenter was reported in good physical condition, and flown to Grand Turk Island in the Bahamas for 48-hour debriefings and medical examinations.
President Kennedy personally congratulated Astronaut M. Scott Carpenter by telephone shortly after the AURORA 7 pilot arrived by helicopter aboard the carrier Intrepid, saying: ". . . 1 wanted to tell you we are relieved and very proud of your trip. I am glad that you got picked up in good shape and we want to tell you that we are all for you and send you the very best of luck to you and your wife." Carpenter said: "My apologies for not having aimed a little bit better on re-entry." President Kennedy: "Oh, fine and good. We want to congratulate you and I look forward to seeing you in Washington sometime soon . . .."
Click here to listen to the audio of the recovery of Aurora 7.
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Saturn SA-3 launch vehicle was static test-fired at MSFC for 119 seconds, producing near 1.3 million pounds of thrust.
The House of Representatives (342-0) approved the NASA authorization for FY 1963 of $3.67 billion. This was almost three times the NASA budget for FY 1962.
Research Center for Celestial Mechanics at Yale University announced by the Air Force Office of Scientific Research and the Office of Naval Research, to be headed by Dr. Dirk Brouwer, Director of the Yale Observatory. The facility, to be opened on July 1, will seek new approaches for problems involving earth satellites, lunar and interplanetary probes, and the predetermination of trajectories for interplanetary vehicles.
X-15 flight postponed so that radar tracking systems would not interfere with the flight of AURORA 7.
In speech at Cleveland, Miss., General Bernard A. Schriever said: "As long as the Soviets remain committed to their goal of world domination, their accomplishments in space can be a potential source of danger to free men everywhere. In their efforts to bring about the complete victory of their system, they have not hesitated to use any means. There is no reason to believe that space will be an exception.
"National defense missions in space have certain unique requirements, but in many ways they are closely related to other aspects of the national space program. There has been and continues to be close cooperation between the Air Force and NASA.
"The rate of progress in our space program will he determined by two factors. The first of these is research. Development of space technology urgently calls for new knowledge. . . .
"Research alone is not enough. The knowledge we acquire must be applied in timely fashion. The key to this application is management. . . . " USAF Titan ICBM destroyed in fueling test at Chico, Calif.
Astronaut John Glenn, Jr., was selected as the National Father of the Year. Earlier this month, his mother had been selected as World Mother of the Year.
Air Force announced the award of a contract to Pan American World Airways for operation and logistic support of a Rocket Range Test Facility at Fort Churchill, Canada. Operated by the U.S. Army for the past five years, the Fort Churchill Test Range will transfer to USAF operational contract on July 1 of this year and will be managed by the Office of Aerospace Research. The facility was originally established as a joint Canadian-U.S. project to support the International Geophysical Year.
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