A Subdued Jack Remembers Gemini 3
Although I try to make blog posts in the realm of non-controversial "potpourri" and away from controversial politics, world events, etc., the talk of war and actual war are on my mind. Being human, I am affected and feel subdued about making my usual light-hearted posts. Thus I have been quiet for awhile. But tonight I am prompted to write about the 1965 Gemini 3 mission. This happens after reading the original front-page story that appeared for Gemini 3 in an "On This Day" feature in the Sunday New York Times.
http://www.nthisdanytimes.com/learning/general/oy/big/0323.html#article
March 23 highlights the blast off from Cape Kennedy, and landing in the Pacific Ocean after nearly five hours in space, of America's first two-person space flight with astronauts Virgil I. Grissom and John W. Young aboard on March 23, 1965. Gemini 3 Pilot Grissom and Co-Pilot Young did pilot controlled maneuvering of a spacecraft for the first time - an ability essential to later success of Apollo moon lander missions beginning in 1969.
Mostly I enjoyed the article from the chuckles I get when I am reminded of events when the Gemini 3 capsule landed in the Pacific Ocean 50 miles away from the rescue ship - the aircraft carrier Intrepid. It took an hour before a helicopter from Intrepid rescued the two astronauts. It was scary before they were located! I remember that part quite well. But I either didn't know or I forgot that the hour spent floating in the spacecraft, heated by re-entry through the dense atmosphere, led Grissom and Young to get rid of space suits and strip down to underwear. So the first thing that took place when they set foot on the flight deck of the Intrepid was being handed Navy bathrobes. The bathrobes I somehow remember from news film, but I don't think I realized why they were needed. From this I have nostalgia for times when the space program seemed to have more impromptu procedures such as stripping to underwear.
Remembering Gemini 3 makes me sad to also remember Apollo 1 which burned on the pad on January 27, 1967 killing the crew of Gus Grissom, Ed White, and Roger Chaffee. The recent Columbia disaster brings back memories of Apollo 1 which was a stunning event for me as a 26-year old hero-worshipping kid.
