Countdown Begins In U.S. Space Flight

Press, Volume C, Issue 29503, 3 May 1961, Page 15

Countdown Begins In U.S. Space Flight

(A.Z Press 4sso<n)(lon—ConjmoMi CAPE CANAVERAL, May 2. America’s first astronaut, Commander Alan B. Shepard, aged 37, was ready for flight this morning if the weather was suitable, United Press International reported.

The space craft was ready and the final 390-minute countdown was proceeding normally toward zero time for launching the capsule on top of a Redstone rocket.

The decision came after a day of threatening weather. A rain squall moved through the Gape area just when fuelling of the missile was to have begun shortly after midnight, but by 5 a.m. the squall had moved away and “a greater degree of optimism,” w as reported.

Earlier today, U.P.I. said that informed sources had confirmed the choice of Shepard as the "prime” astronaut. He still required a last minute physical check which would finally decide whether he or Air Force Lieutenant-Colonel John H Glenn would make the flight. The decision to go ahead with an advance schedule was made after officials met early today to discuss the weather, which in Florida and further down the Atlantic can be highly unpredictable. the news agency said.

The name of the man selected as the United States first space pilot was still not officially disclosed. Two of the men. their identities not revealed, were placed in seclusion yesterdayin a "ready room” in a hangar three miles and a half from the launching site. They were • selected on Friday by the Project Mercury director, Mr Robert Gilruth, after consultation

with doctors and psychologists who had observed the astronauts closely in recent weeks.

The identity of the chosen pilot would not be revealed until the countdown on the Redstone rocket had advanced to within 10 minutes of firing. National Aeronautics and Space Administration officials said today. Commander Shepard, father of two daughters, had said in earlier interviews that he wanted to be the first American in space "just because I want to be first. I guess it’s American to want to be first in things, that just about sums it up for me.” The astronaut will don his silver space suit three hours before the scheduled launch time to be ferried to the Redstone pad in a special white trainer-van. The interior of the space cabin will be as familiar as his own living room, according to A.P.

In case of malfunction in the launching or during the

141 seconds of powered flight, an escape tower would jerk the capsule away from the rocket, permitting it to parachute safely back to earth. During the flight, forces six times the pull of gravity would press on the , pilot briefly as the rocket accelerated.

At an altitude of 35 miles the space craft would separate from the Redstone and flip over 180 degrees so the heat shield would lead the way and the pilot would ride upright, but backwards. A.P said.

Four minutes after launching the astronaut would enter a five-minute period of weightlessness, and he would feel as if he was tumbling into a bottomless pit- Then the capsule would Siam back into the earth's atmosphere, and forces of llg would grin the passenger for a brief time.

The astronaut is scheduled to travel 115 miles into space and 290 miles down the range.

At 42.000 feet a small parachute will open to stabilise the craft, at 10.000 feet a large 63ft parachute will blossom to ease the capsule gently into the sea about 90 miles north-east of Grand Bahama Island—an area heavily patrolled by recovery vessels.

After recovery, the astronaut will be flown to a medical facility on Grand Bahama Island for extensive examination before he is flown to Washington for a hero’s welcome from President Kennedy.