Aug 29 1965
From The Space Library
President Johnson commented on the success of the GEMINI V flight during a news conference at his Texas ranch: "This is a moment of great achievement, not only for astronauts Gordon Cooper and Charles Conrad, but for those whose hopes have ridden with Gemini V. "I am so happy that Mr. Webb and Mr. Seamans, who had so much to do directing this very successful venture, are here to share with us the pride we all feel today. And I deeply regret that our late, beloved President Kennedy, under whose leadership all of this work was so carefully planned and thought out, can't be here to enjoy the fruits and success of his planning and his forethought, "The successful completion of the eight-day, 3-million mile flight of the Gemini V proves, I think, not only man's capacity for endurance in space, but it proves that man is in space to stay, "We can be, and we are enormously proud of every member of our space team. That means all the scientists, and the technicians, and the controllers, and the trackers-to everyone who contributed in any way. As President of this country, I want, this afternoon, to extend the thanks of the entire nation for a job well done. To Gordon Cooper and Charles Conrad, and to their wonderful families, I want to simply repeat again: we are all very deeply proud of you. "The difficulties and disappointments of this flight have served to increase our appreciation, respect and trust for the skill and ability of all the men involved-at all their posts of duty, We can face the challenges and opportunities with far greater confidence and certainty -and this is an unmistakable gain. "Only seven years ago we were neither first nor second in space-we were not in space at all. Today the capacity of this country for leadership in this realm is no longer in valid question or dispute. Openly, proudly, we are proceeding on our course willing always to share our knowledge, our gains with all mankind. I would repeat and renew this country's invitation to all nations to join together to make this adventure a joint adventure. "This globe seems smaller today than ever before. "Somehow the problems which yesterday seemed large and ominous and insoluble today appear less foreboding. As man increases his knowledge of the heavens, why should he fear the unknown on earth? As man draws nearer to the stars, why should he not also draw nearer to his neighbor? "As we push ever more deeply into the universe-probing its secrets and discovering its way-we must also learn to cooperate across the frontiers that divide earth's surface. "No national sovereignty rules in outer space. Those who venture there go as envoys of the human race. Their quest must be for all mankind-and what they find belongs to all mankind. That is the basis of the program of which astronauts Cooper and Conrad are a part. . . "This flight of Gemini V was a journey of peace by men of peace. Its successful conclusion is a noble moment for mankind-and a fitting opportunity for us to renew our pledge to continue our search for a world in which peace reigns and justice prevails. "To demonstrate the earnestness of that pledge, and to express our commitment to the peaceful uses of space exploration, I intend to ask as many of our astronauts as possible-when their schedule and program permit-to visit various capitals of the world. Some, I hope, will be able to journey abroad soon, "Gemini is but the beginning, We resolve to have many more such journeys-in space and on earth-until man at last is at peace with himself." (Transcript, Pres. Doc, 9/6/65, 170-72)
Within an hour after landing on the Lake Champlain, Astronauts Leroy Gordon Cooper (L/Col., USAF) and Charles Conrad, Jr. (LCdr. USN) received a telephone call from President Johnson congratulating them on their courage in the face of disappointments and discouragement: "You have certainly proved once and for all that man has a place in the exploration of the great frontier of space." (Clark, NYT, 8/30/65, 1)
The U.S. GEMINI V mission established eight new world records: (1) longest manned space flight-190 hrs., 55 min,; former record, 119 hrs., six min, held by U.S.S.R.; (2) national man hours in space-641 hrs, 24 min; former record, 507 hrs., 16 min, held by U.S.S.R.; (3) longest multi-manned space flight-190 hrs., 56 min.; former record, 97 hrs., 48 min. set by U.S.; (4) most revolutions for a manned space flight-120; former record, 81, set by U.S.S.R.; (5) most manned flights-9; former record held by U.S.S.R., 8; (6) first man to make a second orbital flight-Leroy Gordon Cooper (L/Col., USAF) ; (7) individual with most space flight time-Col. Cooper; (8) individuals making the longest single space flight-Cooper and Conrad (LCdr., USN) ; former record held by U.S.S.R. (AP, NYT, 8/30/65, 17)
Rep. Olin E. Teague (D-Tex.), chairman of Subcommittee on Manned Space Flight of the House Committee on Science and Astronautics, said at MSC that NASA's FY 1967 budget would be limited to about the same level as the FY 1966 budget ($5.3 billion) because of military expenses in Viet Nam. He said NASA would like "$200 million or $300 million more" for FY 1967, "With the war in Viet Nam, I doubt there'll be more money for NASA. And NASA needs more money than it is getting now to use its team with top efficiency." (Houston Post, 8/30/65)
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