1 00:00:04,108 --> 00:00:06,528 ANNOUNCER: The Shirley Temple program usually seen at this time 2 00:00:06,653 --> 00:00:07,779 will not be presented 3 00:00:07,946 --> 00:00:10,490 in order that we may bring you the following special broadcast. 4 00:00:11,115 --> 00:00:12,825 We have interrupted this program 5 00:00:12,951 --> 00:00:15,328 for a special broadcast from Cape Canaveral. 6 00:00:16,037 --> 00:00:21,042 RENICK: May 5th, 1961, certainly a day to be entered in the history books. 7 00:00:21,668 --> 00:00:25,338 Although the astronaut launch is being seen close up 8 00:00:25,421 --> 00:00:27,507 and live on television screens, 9 00:00:28,049 --> 00:00:31,844 hundreds of persons traveled to Cocoa Beach to see with their own eyes 10 00:00:31,928 --> 00:00:36,474 at long distance, the streak of flame as the Redstone heads skyward. 11 00:00:44,065 --> 00:00:46,484 CRONKITE: I don't know any words for this except the trite ones. 12 00:00:46,776 --> 00:00:49,070 Tension is mounting here at Cape Canaveral. 13 00:00:50,196 --> 00:00:52,282 RENICK: The world watches with interest. 14 00:00:52,574 --> 00:00:56,828 The public has no trouble feeling concern for the man who lies on his back 15 00:00:57,120 --> 00:00:59,205 at the nose end of a Redstone missile. 16 00:00:59,497 --> 00:01:02,875 Somehow, this doesn't seem to be the place for a human being. 17 00:01:05,920 --> 00:01:09,173 GLENN: We're looking at this as eventually a big exploration. 18 00:01:09,424 --> 00:01:11,175 We hope to lay the foundation 19 00:01:11,509 --> 00:01:14,429 for much broader exploration in the future. 20 00:01:16,848 --> 00:01:19,350 MCGEE: I'm sure you've given some thought to the possibility that 21 00:01:19,434 --> 00:01:22,103 this flight may not turn out well and that you may not come back. 22 00:01:25,773 --> 00:01:28,568 TROUT: One man, backed up by a team of 10,000, 23 00:01:28,943 --> 00:01:32,280 backed up by the most elaborate devices that science can invent. 24 00:01:35,158 --> 00:01:39,954 But still, one man, alone, in a tiny shell on top of a rocket. 25 00:01:51,090 --> 00:01:54,719 When we asked NASA for some pictures of the original American astronauts, 26 00:01:54,844 --> 00:01:58,139 John Glenn and the six others chosen in 1959 for Project Mercury, 27 00:01:58,222 --> 00:01:59,223 look what we got. 28 00:02:00,475 --> 00:02:03,019 The Seven in their spacesuits as formal as a class picture 29 00:02:03,102 --> 00:02:04,437 or a management training group. 30 00:02:05,104 --> 00:02:08,232 But these, too, are the men who are going to fly off into space 31 00:02:08,316 --> 00:02:10,943 and catch us up with the Russians and win the Cold War 32 00:02:11,027 --> 00:02:14,155 against Sputnik with their hair down and their burnouses up 33 00:02:14,238 --> 00:02:16,741 after four days of survival training in the desert. 34 00:02:20,411 --> 00:02:21,454 What were the astronauts? 35 00:02:22,455 --> 00:02:26,709 Tall in-the-capsule superheroes or just a bunch of regular fighter jocks? 36 00:02:30,421 --> 00:02:34,300 Well, writer Tom Wolfe has spent a number of years now looking into their story 37 00:02:34,384 --> 00:02:37,261 and he has written it into a book called, The Right Stuff. 38 00:02:39,013 --> 00:02:41,974 It's not the kind of story that we heard at the time from the space managers 39 00:02:42,058 --> 00:02:44,686 and from the politicians, or even from the American press. 40 00:02:46,979 --> 00:02:48,606 Tom Wolfe, nice to have you with us this morning. 41 00:02:48,690 --> 00:02:51,192 -Tom, good to see you. -Uh, were we in need of heroes 42 00:02:51,275 --> 00:02:52,652 when these astronauts came along? 43 00:02:52,735 --> 00:02:56,698 Is that why we were so eager to build them up into kind of false gods? 44 00:02:56,989 --> 00:03:01,661 Right now, it's so hard to remember what a... how seriously the Cold War 45 00:03:01,744 --> 00:03:04,122 was taken back in the... in the late '50s. 46 00:03:16,551 --> 00:03:21,305 (COUNTDOWN IN RUSSIAN) 47 00:03:21,514 --> 00:03:23,307 (SPUTNIK LAUNCHES) 48 00:03:24,308 --> 00:03:27,478 You are the first Americans to see this launching of Sputnik 1 49 00:03:28,146 --> 00:03:31,399 from the desert of Kyzylkum, in the Soviet Union. 50 00:03:33,109 --> 00:03:34,235 ("NAME THAT TUNE" THEME MUSIC PLAYS) 51 00:03:34,318 --> 00:03:37,196 DEWITT: And now back tonight and trying for 20,000 dollars are Eddie Hodges, 52 00:03:37,280 --> 00:03:40,283 the ten-year-old schoolboy, and his partner, Major John Glenn, Jr., 53 00:03:40,366 --> 00:03:41,617 the Marine Corps jet pilot. 54 00:03:41,701 --> 00:03:44,120 Uh, what do you think of the Russian satellite, 55 00:03:44,203 --> 00:03:47,707 which is circling the earth at 18,000 miles per hour? 56 00:03:48,124 --> 00:03:51,377 It's the first time anybody has ever been able to get anything out that far 57 00:03:51,461 --> 00:03:54,005 in space and keep it there for any length of time. 58 00:03:54,172 --> 00:03:58,676 And this is probably the first step toward space travel or moon travel, 59 00:03:58,760 --> 00:04:01,554 something we'll probably run into maybe in Eddie's lifetime here at least. 60 00:04:01,637 --> 00:04:04,223 DEWITT: (CHUCKLES) Eddie, would you like to take a trip to the moon? 61 00:04:04,307 --> 00:04:06,058 No, sir, I like it fine right here. 62 00:04:06,142 --> 00:04:07,643 (AUDIENCE LAUGHS) 63 00:04:16,110 --> 00:04:18,613 REPORTER: Democrat Senator Jackson of Washington describes 64 00:04:18,696 --> 00:04:22,867 the Russian achievement as a devastating blow to the prestige of The United States. 65 00:04:23,159 --> 00:04:26,621 As the satellite travels around the world once every hour and a half, 66 00:04:26,788 --> 00:04:29,540 its radio transmitters, powered by chemical batteries, 67 00:04:29,665 --> 00:04:32,835 that are apparently sending back coded messages to the Russians. 68 00:04:33,628 --> 00:04:35,379 (RAPID FREQUENCIES) 69 00:04:36,339 --> 00:04:38,591 REPORTER: The White House sizes up the situation this way, 70 00:04:38,674 --> 00:04:40,468 The launching of Russia's and the world's first 71 00:04:40,676 --> 00:04:45,515 artificial moon is of great scientific interest but comes as no surprise. 72 00:04:46,098 --> 00:04:48,518 REPORTER: General, are you awed by the Russian accomplishment 73 00:04:48,601 --> 00:04:49,602 with this big Sputnik? 74 00:04:49,685 --> 00:04:52,146 MEDARIS: You're only awed by the things that you don't understand 75 00:04:52,230 --> 00:04:53,856 or don't believe someone can do. 76 00:04:54,273 --> 00:04:56,859 REPORTER: In other words, we know what they had to know to do this? 77 00:04:57,318 --> 00:04:59,529 -Certainly, we know it. -REPORTER: Why haven't we done it? 78 00:04:59,987 --> 00:05:01,364 Well, we got started late. 79 00:05:01,697 --> 00:05:04,075 We didn't get about the job as early as we might have. 80 00:05:04,408 --> 00:05:06,661 Now we have to work like blazes to catch up. 81 00:05:09,413 --> 00:05:11,958 It means they're getting ahead of us and we certainly need to... 82 00:05:12,041 --> 00:05:13,668 start working hard to catch up. 83 00:05:16,546 --> 00:05:19,465 I think it's about time America woke up and did something about it. 84 00:05:21,217 --> 00:05:25,179 There was a sense in this country that it was all important... 85 00:05:25,304 --> 00:05:27,306 to catch up with the Russians in space. 86 00:05:27,640 --> 00:05:30,393 John McCormick, who was then the Speaker of the House of Representatives, 87 00:05:30,476 --> 00:05:32,520 was getting up and saying we face national extinction 88 00:05:32,603 --> 00:05:34,313 if we do not catch up with the Russians. 89 00:05:44,198 --> 00:05:48,077 WALLACE: In desperation, the United States looked to the Vanguard. 90 00:05:51,247 --> 00:05:54,292 Nearly 200 newsmen from all over the world were flown down 91 00:05:54,375 --> 00:05:55,459 for the big turkey shoot. 92 00:05:57,211 --> 00:05:59,797 At the launching site, they were given a play-by-play account. 93 00:06:00,506 --> 00:06:04,260 They witnessed each tiny detail of the usually top-secret preparation. 94 00:06:05,136 --> 00:06:08,848 And inside the block house, the tension steadily mounted. 95 00:06:15,563 --> 00:06:19,233 (ROCKET BLAST) 96 00:06:19,692 --> 00:06:24,155 (EXPLOSION) 97 00:06:28,659 --> 00:06:32,997 WALLACE: America's prestige had never been lower than at this moment, 98 00:06:33,164 --> 00:06:38,586 11:45 a.m., December 6, 1957. 99 00:06:44,467 --> 00:06:50,514 There is a tremendous gap between promise and performance. 100 00:06:51,432 --> 00:06:54,477 I believe the American people want action... 101 00:06:55,353 --> 00:06:57,146 (EXPLOSION) 102 00:06:58,439 --> 00:07:01,651 JOHNSON: ...and are demanding that we get going with our program. 103 00:07:10,076 --> 00:07:12,876 Public opinion in the civilized world has grown accustomed to 104 00:07:12,951 --> 00:07:14,789 fast scientific progress. 105 00:07:14,914 --> 00:07:18,876 Already, the idea of Sputnik whirling through space has become accepted 106 00:07:18,960 --> 00:07:23,172 and people are saying, "What comes next? What comes after Sputnik? After Vanguard?" 107 00:07:23,589 --> 00:07:28,427 Well, the next step has been planned for a long time. It is a manned satellite. 108 00:07:40,356 --> 00:07:43,359 WOLFE: Catch up on all fronts. That was the imperative. 109 00:07:43,776 --> 00:07:47,989 So a so-called quick and dirty approach was seized upon. 110 00:07:48,906 --> 00:07:51,283 They would try to launch not a flying ship 111 00:07:51,617 --> 00:07:56,330 but a pod, a container, a capsule... with a man in it. 112 00:07:58,624 --> 00:08:00,126 The man would not be a pilot. 113 00:08:01,085 --> 00:08:02,753 He would be a human cannonball. 114 00:08:03,629 --> 00:08:07,299 He would not be able to alter the course of the capsule in the slightest. 115 00:08:08,342 --> 00:08:10,845 The job was assigned to NACA, 116 00:08:11,220 --> 00:08:13,848 the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics, 117 00:08:15,016 --> 00:08:17,393 which was converted into NASA. 118 00:08:21,188 --> 00:08:23,816 We will be developing and launching into space, 119 00:08:24,400 --> 00:08:29,196 vehicles needed to obtain scientific data and to explore the solar system. 120 00:08:31,115 --> 00:08:33,784 N.A.S.A. will have about 300 million dollars 121 00:08:33,909 --> 00:08:36,579 for its program in fiscal 1959, 122 00:08:37,413 --> 00:08:40,166 and with this appropriation, we must press forward 123 00:08:40,332 --> 00:08:42,376 the current research programs in our laboratories. 124 00:08:43,419 --> 00:08:48,090 We must contract for work by others in such fields as electronics and guidance 125 00:08:48,507 --> 00:08:51,343 and other areas where we have neither the special competence, 126 00:08:52,219 --> 00:08:53,721 nor the facilities that are needed. 127 00:08:54,555 --> 00:08:56,766 We must accelerate our development programs. 128 00:08:58,768 --> 00:09:02,438 We must acquire the vehicles that will carry our data-gathering apparatus, 129 00:09:02,897 --> 00:09:05,733 and ultimately man, into space. 130 00:09:15,659 --> 00:09:18,245 The program to pick the first man to American to try to pilot 131 00:09:18,329 --> 00:09:20,539 a rocket into orbit in space has begun. 132 00:09:20,873 --> 00:09:23,542 U.S. space chief T. Keith Glennan announced tonight 133 00:09:23,626 --> 00:09:27,088 the American manned satellite program will be called Project Mercury, 134 00:09:27,838 --> 00:09:30,299 its pilots will be known as Mercury Aeronauts, 135 00:09:30,382 --> 00:09:32,093 and one of their number, all volunteers, 136 00:09:32,218 --> 00:09:33,594 will make the first spaceflight. 137 00:09:35,304 --> 00:09:38,057 Two months before the astronauts were chosen they were still considering 138 00:09:38,231 --> 00:09:41,526 using racing car drivers, mountain climbers, scuba divers, 139 00:09:41,977 --> 00:09:45,981 infantry men, anybody who had faced stress and dangerous situations 140 00:09:46,065 --> 00:09:48,609 successfully would be allowed to apply for astronaut 141 00:09:48,734 --> 00:09:50,361 because there wasn't any flying to be done. 142 00:09:52,780 --> 00:09:56,117 Finally, Eisenhower decided, "Well, hell, we've got 500 test pilots 143 00:09:56,242 --> 00:09:59,161 "in the military. We can call them to Washington tomorrow." 144 00:10:00,871 --> 00:10:03,374 So let's get them from this group of people we can totally control 145 00:10:03,499 --> 00:10:04,625 and get on with it. 146 00:10:05,835 --> 00:10:07,419 So they bring in these test pilots. 147 00:10:11,423 --> 00:10:14,593 KRAMER: From all of the active duty pilots in the Navy, Marines, and Air Force, 148 00:10:15,261 --> 00:10:19,390 the service records of 473 test pilots were selected for review. 149 00:10:20,599 --> 00:10:23,185 110 met the basic qualifications. 150 00:10:25,062 --> 00:10:29,984 The Right Stuff is both a code of behavior and a mystical belief. 151 00:10:31,068 --> 00:10:35,239 As test pilots, you have to be willing to go up and hang your mortal hide out 152 00:10:35,322 --> 00:10:39,034 over the edge and then have the experience and the moxie and the talent 153 00:10:39,118 --> 00:10:41,328 to pull it back in, and then go up the next day 154 00:10:41,412 --> 00:10:43,372 and the next day and the next day and the next day, even, 155 00:10:43,455 --> 00:10:45,166 uh, the series is infinite. 156 00:10:51,463 --> 00:10:55,968 (CRASH AND EXPLOSION) 157 00:11:00,806 --> 00:11:03,726 NASA OFFICIAL: Phase two of the selection program 158 00:11:04,059 --> 00:11:07,438 was a very thorough physical examination. 159 00:11:08,647 --> 00:11:11,775 And the men continued on to the third phase. 160 00:11:12,193 --> 00:11:17,156 This phase involved exposure to the acceleration, lowered pressure, 161 00:11:17,364 --> 00:11:21,619 noise, and other stresses expected in space flight. 162 00:11:26,248 --> 00:11:29,585 WRIGHT: At a Washington news conference, officials introduced seven carefully 163 00:11:29,710 --> 00:11:33,839 chosen military test pilots as America's first spacemen. 164 00:11:38,385 --> 00:11:40,221 REPORTER: How are the kids' appetites tonight? 165 00:11:40,721 --> 00:11:42,264 Probably pretty good. 166 00:11:43,224 --> 00:11:45,226 REPORTER: Better than usual or worse than usual? 167 00:11:45,434 --> 00:11:48,646 Well, probably a little bit, uh, they'll, uh, be too excited. 168 00:11:48,771 --> 00:11:51,190 Maybe they won't eat as much as they usually do. 169 00:11:52,066 --> 00:11:55,277 REPORTER: Well, this is supposed to have been a very tightly kept secret. 170 00:11:55,402 --> 00:11:57,780 How... how did you begin to suspect something? 171 00:11:58,364 --> 00:12:00,157 Well, listening to the news. 172 00:12:00,824 --> 00:12:04,119 MCCORMICK: Well, all seven of the men are officers and test pilots. 173 00:12:04,203 --> 00:12:07,915 Three Air Force, three Navy, and one Marine. All are volunteers. 174 00:12:08,290 --> 00:12:10,960 Doctor T. Keith Glennan, National Aeronautical 175 00:12:11,043 --> 00:12:15,172 and Space administrator introduced them this afternoon at a news conference. 176 00:12:15,756 --> 00:12:20,844 Which of these men will be first to orbit the Earth, I cannot tell you. 177 00:12:21,804 --> 00:12:24,515 He won't know himself until the day of the flight. 178 00:12:26,016 --> 00:12:28,602 It's my pleasure to introduce... to you, 179 00:12:28,894 --> 00:12:31,313 and I consider it a very real honor, gentlemen... 180 00:12:32,731 --> 00:12:35,901 from your right, Malcolm S. Carpenter, 181 00:12:37,403 --> 00:12:41,782 Leroy G. Cooper, John H. Glenn, 182 00:12:42,825 --> 00:12:44,201 Virgil I. Grissom, 183 00:12:45,828 --> 00:12:47,413 Walter M. Schirra, 184 00:12:49,373 --> 00:12:54,295 Alan B. Shepard, Donald K. Slayton. 185 00:12:56,088 --> 00:13:00,801 These, ladies, and gentlemen, are the nation's Mercury astronauts. 186 00:13:01,010 --> 00:13:06,015 (APPLAUSE) 187 00:13:06,473 --> 00:13:10,352 The question everybody wants to ask, "What do the wives and children 188 00:13:10,436 --> 00:13:13,355 "of these men think of their ambitions to go into space?" 189 00:13:13,814 --> 00:13:16,317 My wife's attitude toward this has been the same as it has been 190 00:13:16,400 --> 00:13:18,610 all along through all my flying, that, uh... 191 00:13:18,902 --> 00:13:21,697 if it's what I want to do and she's behind it 192 00:13:21,780 --> 00:13:23,282 and the kids are, too, a 100 percent. 193 00:13:25,075 --> 00:13:27,703 Well, my wife feels the same way or, of course, I couldn't be here. 194 00:13:28,662 --> 00:13:32,583 And she's, uh, with me all the way and the boys are too little to, uh, 195 00:13:33,042 --> 00:13:35,586 realize what's going on yet, but I'm sure they'd feel the same way. 196 00:13:36,295 --> 00:13:40,215 My wife has agreed that professional opinions are mine, career's mine, 197 00:13:40,716 --> 00:13:42,384 but we also have to have a family life 198 00:13:42,468 --> 00:13:44,470 that we like and this is part of the agreement. 199 00:13:45,137 --> 00:13:47,806 I have no problems at home. My family's in complete agreement. 200 00:13:48,599 --> 00:13:51,810 (ALL LAUGH) 201 00:13:54,021 --> 00:13:56,315 John Glenn was actually unique among the seven 202 00:13:56,398 --> 00:13:57,649 in terms of his personality. 203 00:13:57,983 --> 00:14:00,652 I'm John Glenn, I'm the lonesome Marine on this outfit 204 00:14:00,819 --> 00:14:04,948 and I'm, uh, 37. I, jokingly, uh, of course, said that, uh, 205 00:14:05,032 --> 00:14:07,242 I got on this project because it'd probably be the nearest 206 00:14:07,326 --> 00:14:09,912 to heaven I'd ever get, and I wanted to make the most of it. 207 00:14:10,079 --> 00:14:11,538 -(ALL LAUGH) -But, uh... 208 00:14:11,789 --> 00:14:16,126 my feelings are that this whole project with regard to... to space sort of stands 209 00:14:16,293 --> 00:14:18,962 with us now as... as if you wanna look at it one way, 210 00:14:19,046 --> 00:14:21,757 like the Wright brothers stood at Kitty Hawk about 50 years ago. 211 00:14:22,633 --> 00:14:24,885 WOLFE: At the very first press conference John Glenn proved 212 00:14:24,968 --> 00:14:27,137 to be the most articulate of the seven. 213 00:14:27,221 --> 00:14:29,681 My wife made a remark the other day, I've been out of this world 214 00:14:29,765 --> 00:14:31,725 for a long time I might as well go on out there. 215 00:14:31,809 --> 00:14:32,851 (ALL LAUGH) 216 00:14:33,936 --> 00:14:35,312 GLENNAN: Next question, please. 217 00:14:35,979 --> 00:14:39,191 WOLFE: He had a kind of countrified sophistication, if you will, 218 00:14:39,525 --> 00:14:43,737 and he had a great freckle-faced smile and was just great at handling 219 00:14:44,029 --> 00:14:45,614 what we now call the media. 220 00:14:46,323 --> 00:14:51,078 GLENNAN: The question is, "Would the, uh, gentlemen, uh, like to, uh... 221 00:14:51,912 --> 00:14:55,457 "say which, which test, uh, they liked least?" 222 00:14:57,209 --> 00:14:58,252 (ALL LAUGH) 223 00:14:58,377 --> 00:15:00,671 Johnny Glenn, uh, you... you answer 224 00:15:00,754 --> 00:15:03,257 and then we'll start this way and around that way. 225 00:15:03,966 --> 00:15:06,677 That's a real tough one because we had some pretty good tests, 226 00:15:06,760 --> 00:15:10,722 but I... I think, uh, it's rather difficult to pick one, because if the... 227 00:15:10,889 --> 00:15:13,308 if you figure how many openings there are on the human body 228 00:15:13,392 --> 00:15:15,436 and how far you can go in any one of them. 229 00:15:15,519 --> 00:15:18,480 (ALL LAUGH) 230 00:15:18,647 --> 00:15:22,317 -SCHIRRA: You gave it away. -(LAUGHTER CONTINUES) 231 00:15:22,734 --> 00:15:26,363 Now... Now ,you answer which one would be the toughest for you. 232 00:15:26,488 --> 00:15:29,366 (ALL LAUGH) 233 00:15:32,870 --> 00:15:35,539 WOLFE: So, after this one man, Glenn, who's so articulate starts 234 00:15:35,622 --> 00:15:38,500 saying all these things about God, country, family, all the rest, 235 00:15:38,625 --> 00:15:41,920 immediately there's the picture of seven astronauts 236 00:15:42,004 --> 00:15:46,133 as these sort of God-fearing, small town family men. 237 00:15:47,259 --> 00:15:48,677 And the rest of them were stuck with it. 238 00:15:48,760 --> 00:15:51,054 They either had a choice of raising their hands and saying, 239 00:15:51,138 --> 00:15:53,015 "Now wait a minute, I... I don't really go on with that, 240 00:15:53,098 --> 00:15:54,933 "I don't think you have to be all that faithful to your wife 241 00:15:55,017 --> 00:15:56,477 "and your children and the church," 242 00:15:56,560 --> 00:16:00,272 or else doing the wise thing and saying, "Me, too." 243 00:16:01,064 --> 00:16:03,233 I'm not real active in the church as, uh, 244 00:16:03,317 --> 00:16:06,737 Mr. Glenn is, but, uh, I consider myself a good Christian still. 245 00:16:07,654 --> 00:16:11,283 REPORTER: Mrs. Grissom, did you have any indication that 246 00:16:11,533 --> 00:16:15,287 -anything was going on before today? -I had a pretty good idea. 247 00:16:16,538 --> 00:16:19,500 REPORTER: Have you had time to decide how you feel about it? 248 00:16:21,001 --> 00:16:23,337 Well, I don't know yet. 249 00:16:34,181 --> 00:16:35,557 REPORTER: Have the kids in the neighborhood 250 00:16:35,641 --> 00:16:36,934 been asking you about this? 251 00:16:38,310 --> 00:16:41,730 No, not yet, but my teacher called a little while ago and... 252 00:16:42,689 --> 00:16:44,900 and she said congratulations. 253 00:16:45,943 --> 00:16:48,570 REPORTER: Do you think this is gonna make you a big man around town? 254 00:16:48,654 --> 00:16:50,322 SCOTT: Mm-hmm. (LAUGHS) 255 00:16:51,240 --> 00:16:54,618 REPORTER: How does the wife of a spaceman feel about the possibility 256 00:16:54,701 --> 00:16:55,786 of so great an adventure? 257 00:16:56,328 --> 00:16:59,748 Well, we're not oblivious to the dangers involved, 258 00:17:00,123 --> 00:17:04,795 but, uh, I would like to go along with him if I could and so would the boys. 259 00:17:10,467 --> 00:17:13,053 WRIGHT: After rigorous training, one of these men will ride 260 00:17:13,220 --> 00:17:17,641 a Project Mercury space capsule around the Earth in a 125-mile high orbit 261 00:17:18,141 --> 00:17:21,019 before retro rockets slow the capsule for a descent into the Atlantic. 262 00:17:24,314 --> 00:17:25,983 (FAN WHIRRING) 263 00:17:27,067 --> 00:17:30,279 Although the astronauts, all test pilots, feel that space flight 264 00:17:30,362 --> 00:17:33,240 is no more than the next step along a familiar path, 265 00:17:33,323 --> 00:17:35,742 most of us still think of it as being unreal. 266 00:17:35,826 --> 00:17:36,827 (CAMERA CLICKS) 267 00:17:36,952 --> 00:17:40,998 But, in fact, it is reality catching up with unreality. 268 00:17:42,040 --> 00:17:45,335 Cocoa Beach, Florida is home base for those who fly rockets 269 00:17:45,460 --> 00:17:47,045 from adjoining Cape Canaveral. 270 00:17:47,379 --> 00:17:50,591 Ten years ago, only 246 people lived here, 271 00:17:50,716 --> 00:17:53,986 but now the glittering neon signs bear testimony to the boom. 272 00:17:54,803 --> 00:17:57,931 Population has increased 1,312 percent. 273 00:17:59,099 --> 00:18:01,810 Everything here is space oriented. 274 00:18:04,521 --> 00:18:06,231 (MUSIC STARTS PLAYING) 275 00:18:09,568 --> 00:18:13,739 Here at Cape Canaveral The astronauts are all ready 276 00:18:15,741 --> 00:18:19,494 They will pave the way Into space for the USA 277 00:18:21,997 --> 00:18:25,751 They are guys with wives Whose lives are just ordinary 278 00:18:28,337 --> 00:18:31,840 But will pave the way As we say with JFK 279 00:18:34,635 --> 00:18:37,095 There's John Glenn, Grissom And Shepard, too 280 00:18:37,638 --> 00:18:40,641 Astronauts who really have come through 281 00:18:40,932 --> 00:18:46,271 Slayton, Schirra, and Cooper passed Carpenter's bongos are a blast off 282 00:18:46,521 --> 00:18:50,984 Let's all drink a toast to the men The most in missiles 283 00:18:53,236 --> 00:18:59,409 And cheers to the man who's going out In space, out in space 284 00:18:59,576 --> 00:19:03,497 Ten, nine, eight, seven, six, five, four Three, two, one 285 00:19:03,722 --> 00:19:08,769 Going out in space 286 00:19:22,015 --> 00:19:24,643 WHITE: We've tried to develop what we call dynamic testing. 287 00:19:24,810 --> 00:19:25,894 MCGEE: What does that mean? 288 00:19:26,269 --> 00:19:28,605 WHITE: Well, in dynamic testing, what we do is that we try 289 00:19:28,730 --> 00:19:33,360 to give the man a challenge, which is applicable to the kind 290 00:19:33,443 --> 00:19:35,112 of stress loads that he would get in flight. 291 00:19:35,237 --> 00:19:37,114 MCGEE: Get him as close as you can to actually doing it? 292 00:19:37,197 --> 00:19:38,323 WHITE: That is correct. 293 00:19:39,783 --> 00:19:42,911 The whole idea of the training was not to enable the astronaut 294 00:19:42,994 --> 00:19:45,539 to control and handle the machine as other flight training. 295 00:19:46,915 --> 00:19:49,292 It was really to desensitize the astronaut 296 00:19:49,418 --> 00:19:51,753 to the terrors of what he was gonna undertake. 297 00:20:01,471 --> 00:20:04,933 And there was a principle in psychology that if you expose a man 298 00:20:05,100 --> 00:20:08,979 to a terrible type of event in gradual stages, 299 00:20:10,230 --> 00:20:11,773 he can overcome the terror. 300 00:20:12,941 --> 00:20:15,777 We've had to think in terms of certain stress loads. 301 00:20:15,861 --> 00:20:18,530 We know that the man, for example, is going to be exposed 302 00:20:18,613 --> 00:20:22,534 to certain accelerations, certain heat loads, certain vibrations, 303 00:20:22,617 --> 00:20:27,748 noise, certain psychic trauma, that, uh, are just a part of doing these kind 304 00:20:27,831 --> 00:20:28,874 of new adventures. 305 00:20:29,958 --> 00:20:32,794 CAPCOM: ASGAR, this is Recovery 5. 306 00:20:33,003 --> 00:20:35,714 MCGEE: What you're hearing is a simulation of the communications 307 00:20:35,797 --> 00:20:38,175 between the space capsule and ground control. 308 00:20:38,300 --> 00:20:39,968 ASTRONAUT: Standing by for impact and pickup. 309 00:20:40,051 --> 00:20:41,678 Does Recovery have me? Over. 310 00:20:42,679 --> 00:20:45,432 MCGEE: A less frightening exercise, depending on how you look at it, 311 00:20:45,557 --> 00:20:47,642 is the underwater escape training. 312 00:20:54,775 --> 00:20:58,528 In their training, actually undergoing these tests, which one do you feel 313 00:20:58,612 --> 00:21:00,655 puts them under the greatest strain? 314 00:21:01,239 --> 00:21:07,162 WHITE: I think the centrifuge program is probably the best single stress load. 315 00:21:07,287 --> 00:21:11,750 This has come closest to being able to superimpose all the flight stresses 316 00:21:11,833 --> 00:21:14,127 in one spot, simultaneously. 317 00:21:16,129 --> 00:21:18,548 (RAPID WHIRRING) 318 00:21:19,549 --> 00:21:22,093 GRISSOM: The centrifuge is like a merry-go-round with one seat, 319 00:21:22,552 --> 00:21:25,305 one seat out on a long arm that swings you around and around, 320 00:21:25,388 --> 00:21:27,849 faster and faster until they get the G-level that they want. 321 00:21:29,684 --> 00:21:33,730 And we've gone as high as 18 Gs, which means 18 times the pull of gravity. 322 00:21:37,400 --> 00:21:39,694 (RAPID WHIRRING INCREASES) 323 00:21:49,788 --> 00:21:55,085 (CHEERFUL MUSIC PLAYING) 324 00:21:56,086 --> 00:21:58,880 (CAMERA CLICKS) 325 00:21:59,756 --> 00:22:01,591 -Scene one, take one. -(BOARD CLICKS) 326 00:22:04,928 --> 00:22:08,431 I am John Glenn, one of our astronauts who is preparing 327 00:22:08,515 --> 00:22:11,101 for our first manned ballistic flights into space. 328 00:22:12,394 --> 00:22:15,981 Naturally, all of us take a very deep personal interest, needless to say, 329 00:22:16,064 --> 00:22:20,151 in the Mercury capsule here that one of us will ride one of these days into space. 330 00:22:31,663 --> 00:22:34,916 WOLFE: LIFE Magazine decided to buy the rights 331 00:22:35,041 --> 00:22:37,252 to the personal stories of the astronauts. 332 00:22:39,546 --> 00:22:41,631 And they paid what at the time was a colossal sum, 333 00:22:41,715 --> 00:22:44,092 five hundred thousand dollars for three years to the seven men. 334 00:22:44,217 --> 00:22:48,221 It came out to about 25 thousand dollars per family per year for three years, 335 00:22:48,346 --> 00:22:50,265 and for families that were, had been used to making 336 00:22:50,348 --> 00:22:52,183 eight or nine thousand it was a lot of money. 337 00:22:54,019 --> 00:22:56,521 We knew there would be a lot of press attention, 338 00:22:57,314 --> 00:23:02,319 but none of us realized that, uh, we were going to lose anonymity. 339 00:23:02,777 --> 00:23:07,198 Time Life painted us as boy scouts and we were all American heroes, 340 00:23:07,908 --> 00:23:09,451 and that was fine. 341 00:23:12,495 --> 00:23:14,122 NARRATOR: Here's Astronaut John Glenn. 342 00:23:14,497 --> 00:23:17,959 Hello, fellas, I'd like to talk to you for a moment about adventure. 343 00:23:18,627 --> 00:23:20,170 Did you ever climb a mountain? 344 00:23:20,670 --> 00:23:21,880 Or land a trout? 345 00:23:22,547 --> 00:23:24,925 That's the kind of adventure you have in the Boy Scouts. 346 00:23:25,175 --> 00:23:28,553 If you're looking for adventure, boys 347 00:23:28,637 --> 00:23:31,973 Come join the Scouts today 348 00:23:33,642 --> 00:23:36,436 MCGEE: Alan Shepard has a lively sense of the ludicrous, 349 00:23:36,561 --> 00:23:38,438 which he keeps fairly well under control. 350 00:23:38,897 --> 00:23:41,149 But he would prefer to skirt serious subjects. 351 00:23:41,483 --> 00:23:44,194 And in a group, is likely to make the witty remark that 352 00:23:44,277 --> 00:23:47,405 turns conversation into a lighter vein. 353 00:23:47,739 --> 00:23:51,201 And if the technicians connected with the training of the astronauts 354 00:23:51,326 --> 00:23:55,330 can be said to have a favorite, well, their favorite appears to be Shepard. 355 00:23:58,833 --> 00:23:59,834 Okay. 356 00:23:59,918 --> 00:24:03,505 MCGEE: Each astronaut has several meticulously fitted flight uniforms, 357 00:24:03,672 --> 00:24:07,008 which they prefer to have called "pressure," not spacesuits. 358 00:24:08,134 --> 00:24:11,346 Shepard says it contributes more to the astronauts' peace of mind 359 00:24:11,429 --> 00:24:14,391 to say they've been inflated instead of blown up. 360 00:24:19,354 --> 00:24:22,190 Now when you fellas get together among yourselves, what do you talk about? 361 00:24:22,357 --> 00:24:25,485 Well, we have... have very little time off actually. 362 00:24:25,902 --> 00:24:29,698 Our attentions are focused pretty much on the objectives of spaceflight. 363 00:24:30,323 --> 00:24:35,286 We do take a few moments for such things as waterskiing 364 00:24:35,370 --> 00:24:37,455 -and... and playing golf. -MCGEE: You like waterskiing? 365 00:24:37,539 --> 00:24:40,000 -Yes, I do. -MCGEE: What about that, uh, Corvette, 366 00:24:40,083 --> 00:24:42,210 that white Corvette I've seen you drive, you like that? 367 00:24:42,335 --> 00:24:43,837 Well, I do enjoy driving that, yeah. 368 00:24:43,920 --> 00:24:45,547 MCGEE: What... what do you like most about it? 369 00:24:46,381 --> 00:24:48,967 SHEPARD: Well, it has a few little goodies underneath the hood that 370 00:24:49,092 --> 00:24:51,553 -make it go faster than the ordinary car. -MCGEE: Yeah. 371 00:24:54,347 --> 00:24:56,599 WOLFE: When I started looking into the stories of the astronauts, 372 00:24:56,683 --> 00:24:59,394 they came from out of the world of what they themselves 373 00:24:59,477 --> 00:25:00,937 -called the fighter jocks. -BROKAW: Yeah. 374 00:25:01,021 --> 00:25:03,732 WOLFE: And the fighter jocks are at the top 375 00:25:03,940 --> 00:25:06,401 -of the pyramid of flying in the military. -BROKAW: Yeah. 376 00:25:06,484 --> 00:25:09,362 WOLFE: And these are people who not only fly hard, they play hard, 377 00:25:09,571 --> 00:25:12,115 and also, they're justifiably away from home a lot. 378 00:25:12,198 --> 00:25:13,908 -BROKAW: Mm-hmm. -They're attractive to women, 379 00:25:13,992 --> 00:25:15,869 and this began to play a part in their lives 380 00:25:15,952 --> 00:25:17,370 like the lives of every other fighter jocks. 381 00:25:17,454 --> 00:25:20,081 Well, at one point the astronauts, I mean, there were so many women around them 382 00:25:20,165 --> 00:25:23,001 at all times that John Glenn felt compelled to say something 383 00:25:23,084 --> 00:25:25,295 to 'em about it. I mean, this thing has gotten to be too public, 384 00:25:25,378 --> 00:25:27,213 is what he said at a meeting in San Diego. 385 00:25:39,601 --> 00:25:42,937 WOLFE: There was bound to arise conflict between someone like, uh, 386 00:25:43,063 --> 00:25:45,398 Glenn on the one hand, and say Alan Shepard on the other. 387 00:25:47,192 --> 00:25:48,902 So finally, there was a little showdown. 388 00:25:49,277 --> 00:25:52,906 It was out at the Kona Kai Hotel on Shelter Island in San Diego. 389 00:25:55,950 --> 00:25:58,745 Now Glenn, I must say, does not mind being a maverick. 390 00:25:59,412 --> 00:26:02,373 He thought that this playing around with the cookies was getting out of hand. 391 00:26:03,541 --> 00:26:06,252 Cookies, as groupies were called in those days, 392 00:26:07,212 --> 00:26:10,965 Glenn thought the time had come to deliver a little lecture on the subject, 393 00:26:11,091 --> 00:26:15,178 so he started saying how he wasn't gonna stand by and let other members 394 00:26:15,261 --> 00:26:18,389 of the group ruin the chance of a lifetime by creating some scandal 395 00:26:18,473 --> 00:26:20,058 through playing around with these girls. 396 00:26:21,643 --> 00:26:25,146 The others could not believe that one pilot, a peer among peers, 397 00:26:25,230 --> 00:26:27,482 was standing up and giving this moral lecture. 398 00:26:27,607 --> 00:26:30,693 So, Alan Shepard, who was a very different man from John Glenn, 399 00:26:30,777 --> 00:26:33,863 stood up and in his stern and sort of icy commander, 400 00:26:34,114 --> 00:26:37,408 Naval Academy fashion, says, "Listen, you're not gonna stand up 401 00:26:37,492 --> 00:26:40,078 "and tell me or anybody else your view of morality." 402 00:26:43,790 --> 00:26:49,921 That scene was one of the things that set off a real conflict between two camps. 403 00:26:50,463 --> 00:26:53,633 One camp was really John Glenn and Scott Carpenter on one side, 404 00:26:53,716 --> 00:26:55,927 and the others basically agreed with Shepard. 405 00:26:56,803 --> 00:27:00,473 He was saying, it is not for you, as one of our peers, 406 00:27:00,640 --> 00:27:02,350 to tell us how we're going to act. 407 00:27:03,268 --> 00:27:05,186 And this became the rival position. 408 00:27:21,911 --> 00:27:25,665 REPORTER: From President to taxi driver, every American is worried 409 00:27:25,874 --> 00:27:29,419 about Russia's lead in this race to put man into space. 410 00:27:30,837 --> 00:27:34,132 We should do everything possible to make any sacrifice 411 00:27:34,340 --> 00:27:36,301 to help our country get up there, too. 412 00:27:45,101 --> 00:27:47,604 REPORTER: The MR-2 craft will carry a chimpanzee, 413 00:27:48,146 --> 00:27:51,983 specially trained for the mission at Holloman Air Force Base in New Mexico. 414 00:27:52,567 --> 00:27:55,153 The chimpanzees were kidnapped in West Africa 415 00:27:55,278 --> 00:27:58,281 and they were trained to ride in the Mercury capsule. 416 00:27:58,781 --> 00:28:01,034 And the training was really quite complex 417 00:28:01,242 --> 00:28:03,203 and started as soon as astronaut training began. 418 00:28:03,912 --> 00:28:06,623 They even did some reading of a console, the instrument panel. 419 00:28:07,040 --> 00:28:10,376 They were given symbols, such as two circles and one triangle 420 00:28:10,460 --> 00:28:12,003 and they had to hit the triangle, 421 00:28:12,420 --> 00:28:15,423 the odd symbol, in order not to get a shock. 422 00:28:17,175 --> 00:28:21,012 NARRATOR: The next decision, which chimpanzee to send on the flight. 423 00:28:22,096 --> 00:28:24,891 Each of the candidates gets a complete medical checkup. 424 00:28:25,558 --> 00:28:31,189 And the honor goes to an astrochimp who was nicknamed, "Ham." 425 00:28:37,737 --> 00:28:39,822 This is Mercury-Redstone 2, 426 00:28:41,616 --> 00:28:46,788 MR-2, and Ham is on his way. 427 00:28:53,503 --> 00:28:58,091 Concern mounts, Ham's heartbeat and respiration climb fast. 428 00:28:59,133 --> 00:29:01,678 The flight surgeon's eyes are glued to his console, 429 00:29:02,470 --> 00:29:03,972 monitoring Ham's condition. 430 00:29:07,267 --> 00:29:09,394 (BEEPING) 431 00:29:09,560 --> 00:29:11,312 REPORTER: The Flight Surgeon watches the monitors, 432 00:29:11,646 --> 00:29:13,481 and now Ham is doing better. 433 00:29:14,941 --> 00:29:18,486 MR-2 is up over the top and reentry begins. 434 00:29:24,242 --> 00:29:26,494 The spacecraft is spotted from the air. 435 00:29:41,676 --> 00:29:42,760 Ham is fine. 436 00:29:46,139 --> 00:29:52,186 MR-2 was a significant milestone on the highway to man's flight into space. 437 00:29:53,187 --> 00:29:57,817 And the evidence is a live, space experienced, chimpanzee. 438 00:30:14,500 --> 00:30:17,378 The Soviets never would identify the leader of their space program. 439 00:30:17,462 --> 00:30:18,963 They always called him, "The Chief Designer." 440 00:30:19,047 --> 00:30:21,966 And Khrushchev would always say that they couldn't possibly identify him 441 00:30:22,050 --> 00:30:25,595 because the enemy agents would seek him out and kill him. 442 00:30:26,054 --> 00:30:29,057 And the real reason was the man, his name was Sergei Korolev, 443 00:30:29,682 --> 00:30:32,060 he had been a political prisoner for ten years. 444 00:30:32,143 --> 00:30:33,811 He was an ex-con in the Soviet Union. 445 00:30:34,145 --> 00:30:37,315 They couldn't admit an ex-con was running their space program. 446 00:30:37,690 --> 00:30:40,318 It was presumed that the Soviets... 447 00:30:41,069 --> 00:30:43,029 had somehow come up with a whole generation 448 00:30:43,321 --> 00:30:47,325 of super scientists who could churn out these incredible space vehicles. 449 00:30:47,408 --> 00:30:50,703 In fact, there was this one man, this one genius named Korolev 450 00:30:50,787 --> 00:30:52,246 who had always been considered a nut. 451 00:31:12,975 --> 00:31:16,854 COLLINGWOOD: Twenty-five thousand miles, 17,000 miles an hour, 452 00:31:17,397 --> 00:31:19,816 nobody else has ever done anything like it. 453 00:31:20,400 --> 00:31:21,609 This vehicle, 454 00:31:21,776 --> 00:31:25,321 a machine that until today was only a term in the vocabulary of fiction, 455 00:31:25,738 --> 00:31:26,823 it was a spaceship. 456 00:31:28,199 --> 00:31:31,828 The spaceship was built in Russia, the takeoff and the landing 457 00:31:32,036 --> 00:31:33,204 somewhere in Russia. 458 00:31:33,913 --> 00:31:38,876 The name of the man... Yuri Alekseyevich Gagarin. 459 00:31:39,794 --> 00:31:42,296 (PATRIOTIC MUSIC PLAYS) 460 00:31:42,422 --> 00:31:45,007 The first hero of the space age receiving 461 00:31:45,091 --> 00:31:46,801 a hero's welcome today. 462 00:31:47,552 --> 00:31:52,557 Yuri Gagarin, the first man ever to circle the Earth in orbit, reports to his chief, 463 00:31:53,057 --> 00:31:57,145 Nikita S. Khrushchev, Prime Minister of the Soviet Union. 464 00:31:57,520 --> 00:32:01,858 And in a day of wild jubilation, he was embraced by the Soviet people 465 00:32:02,108 --> 00:32:07,613 as a new pioneer, a Columbus, a Linden, Lenin in a spacesuit. 466 00:32:15,371 --> 00:32:18,875 RENICK: Here at Cape Canaveral, the announcement of the Russian success 467 00:32:19,000 --> 00:32:23,671 has made no visible impact on this space-oriented community. 468 00:32:24,505 --> 00:32:28,176 The people who live here, the ones who watch missile firings 469 00:32:28,259 --> 00:32:33,556 as a pastime, still have a local pride in NASA's Project Mercury. 470 00:32:34,515 --> 00:32:37,435 They are anxiously awaiting the American firing 471 00:32:37,602 --> 00:32:39,854 of an astronaut into space. 472 00:32:41,063 --> 00:32:44,942 A shot that is anticipated in the next two or three weeks. 473 00:32:48,321 --> 00:32:51,574 MCGEE: At Cape Canaveral, the countdown, which could take days, 474 00:32:51,699 --> 00:32:53,367 began early this morning. 475 00:32:53,910 --> 00:32:56,954 And there are rumors that Shepard has been selected for the flight 476 00:32:57,038 --> 00:32:59,707 with Glenn as standby and vice versa. 477 00:32:59,790 --> 00:33:03,669 The Project Mercury officials have made no announcement on either the timing 478 00:33:03,753 --> 00:33:06,005 of the launch or the astronaut chosen. 479 00:33:06,881 --> 00:33:08,799 But the launching fever is gripping the cape 480 00:33:08,883 --> 00:33:10,885 and will soon spread across the country. 481 00:33:11,761 --> 00:33:15,389 The anticipation will however be dulled by the sobering fact that 482 00:33:15,473 --> 00:33:18,267 even if this experiment is a spectacular success, 483 00:33:18,893 --> 00:33:22,271 it will still leave the United States second to Russia. 484 00:33:22,939 --> 00:33:27,360 And if it's a catastrophic failure, there will be deep gloom compounded 485 00:33:27,443 --> 00:33:30,321 by the tragic loss perhaps of human life. 486 00:33:33,574 --> 00:33:36,869 -(ENGINE REVVING) -(BEEPING) 487 00:33:39,580 --> 00:33:42,750 ANCHOR: We have interrupted this program for a special broadcast 488 00:33:42,833 --> 00:33:44,001 from Cape Canaveral. 489 00:33:44,627 --> 00:33:46,003 We switch now to the Cape. 490 00:33:46,629 --> 00:33:49,006 MCGEE: The actual rocket that will be fired in this launching 491 00:33:49,090 --> 00:33:51,551 and the capsule that will ride atop it have been selected 492 00:33:51,634 --> 00:33:53,636 and made ready at Cape Canaveral. 493 00:33:54,178 --> 00:33:57,056 The name of the astronaut chosen is not to be made known 494 00:33:57,139 --> 00:33:59,225 until moments before the launch. 495 00:34:07,900 --> 00:34:10,361 REPORTER: The pilot selected for the first manned flight attempt 496 00:34:10,611 --> 00:34:12,780 was Alan B. Shepard, Jr. 497 00:34:15,575 --> 00:34:19,161 RENICK: Hundreds of persons traveled to Cocoa Beach to see with their own eyes 498 00:34:19,412 --> 00:34:23,749 at long distance, the streak of flame as the Redstone heads skyward. 499 00:34:24,709 --> 00:34:29,130 People stayed at beach vantage points through the night sleeping in automobiles, 500 00:34:29,338 --> 00:34:30,798 tucked into sleeping bags. 501 00:34:31,132 --> 00:34:35,261 In the distance, about two miles away, huge searchlights were trained 502 00:34:35,344 --> 00:34:37,263 on the Redstone gantry tower. 503 00:34:38,598 --> 00:34:43,102 Shepard left the Mercury astronaut hangar in the specially equipped 504 00:34:43,477 --> 00:34:49,066 transportation van, and then he journeyed to the launching pad area, got out, 505 00:34:49,150 --> 00:34:52,820 took a look at the missile, and proceeded up the elevator 506 00:34:52,987 --> 00:34:57,283 to assume his position inside the space, uh, capsule. 507 00:34:59,285 --> 00:35:01,787 ABERNATHY: He will not go into orbit, as Yuri Gagarin did, 508 00:35:02,204 --> 00:35:06,417 but he will ride his capsule or spacecraft 116 miles up. 509 00:35:06,917 --> 00:35:09,462 And there he'll hang weightless for about five minutes 510 00:35:09,545 --> 00:35:13,215 until gravity pulls him back through the atmosphere to the sea 511 00:35:13,313 --> 00:35:15,217 nearly three hundred miles down range. 512 00:35:18,346 --> 00:35:21,766 The whole flight will take just 16 minutes but even though brief, 513 00:35:21,891 --> 00:35:26,062 it will help tell us whether man can be useful in nearby space. 514 00:35:30,358 --> 00:35:34,612 The tall gantry tower moved back on its tracks nearly three hours ago, 515 00:35:34,779 --> 00:35:39,283 leaving the white Redstone standing alone like a monument of the space age. 516 00:35:41,202 --> 00:35:44,246 Alan Shepard, encased in his cumbersome pressure suit, 517 00:35:44,330 --> 00:35:47,625 has remained in the capsule on his back on his contour couch, 518 00:35:48,000 --> 00:35:50,586 busy with his laboratory of complex instruments, 519 00:35:50,795 --> 00:35:53,923 going through the motions he's often gone through in practice sessions, 520 00:35:54,131 --> 00:35:55,800 talking to the control center. 521 00:35:56,133 --> 00:35:58,844 ENGINEER: Firing command, 30, mark. 522 00:35:59,178 --> 00:36:01,514 SHEPARD: Roger, Periscope has retracted. 523 00:36:01,889 --> 00:36:03,724 ENGINEER: That is the best periscope we've got. 524 00:36:04,308 --> 00:36:06,143 SHEPARD: Main bus 24 volts. 525 00:36:06,310 --> 00:36:08,396 TROUT: He has been busy but he would not be human 526 00:36:08,479 --> 00:36:09,772 if he did not feel the strain. 527 00:36:09,897 --> 00:36:11,315 ENGINEER: Program. Roger. 528 00:36:11,899 --> 00:36:15,236 C.O. Control fuel. Roger, fire one. Awesome panel. 529 00:36:15,361 --> 00:36:18,364 SHEPARD: Automatic fuel is 95. Regular is 96. 530 00:36:18,447 --> 00:36:19,949 Cameras and tape recorders are running. 531 00:36:20,116 --> 00:36:22,827 VON FREMD: Sixty-two newsmen from 12 foreign countries are present. 532 00:36:23,077 --> 00:36:26,497 Some pace about, some sit ramrod straight staring at the launching pad 533 00:36:26,580 --> 00:36:27,623 where the Redstone sits. 534 00:36:27,707 --> 00:36:31,001 A squawk box just announced T-minus six minutes and counting. 535 00:36:33,504 --> 00:36:36,257 WOLFE: I sensed that in Alan Shepard's... flight, 536 00:36:37,383 --> 00:36:40,219 that as it got down close to zero, 537 00:36:40,344 --> 00:36:45,266 that the engineers were so worked up for fear, each one for fear that 538 00:36:45,349 --> 00:36:47,393 it would be his system that would cause a catastrophe. 539 00:36:49,228 --> 00:36:51,313 Finally, Shepard heard one of them... 540 00:36:51,814 --> 00:36:53,733 talking about an overheating piece of equipment. 541 00:36:53,899 --> 00:36:56,318 ENGINEER: Somebody along, somebody, a mechanic on the second? 542 00:36:56,527 --> 00:36:59,071 WOLFE: The one engineer was saying to the other, "You know, I think we better 543 00:36:59,155 --> 00:37:02,366 "take that thing out and look at it before we proceed." 544 00:37:02,450 --> 00:37:06,829 And Shepard knew that taking that thing out was not a 15-minute job, 545 00:37:06,912 --> 00:37:07,997 it was a two-day job. 546 00:37:08,539 --> 00:37:11,667 ENGINEER: Down at 170. No, they should standby. 547 00:37:12,251 --> 00:37:14,670 WOLFE: And at this point, he got on the radio, and he says, 548 00:37:14,754 --> 00:37:16,964 "Look... I'm cooler than you are." 549 00:37:17,715 --> 00:37:19,800 WOLFE: "Why don't you fix your little problem 550 00:37:19,884 --> 00:37:21,010 "and light this candle?" 551 00:37:21,218 --> 00:37:24,680 DC power will be applied to the capsule. DC power will be applied to the capsule. 552 00:37:24,764 --> 00:37:26,515 WOLFE: And that seemed to pull 'em all together and said, 553 00:37:26,599 --> 00:37:30,311 "Okay, if he's willing to take the risk, then by God we should be willing, too." 554 00:37:30,895 --> 00:37:32,855 ENGINEER: T-minus 15 seconds. 555 00:37:33,814 --> 00:37:39,487 T-minus ten, nine, eight, seven, six, five, four, 556 00:37:40,070 --> 00:37:43,491 -three, two, one, zero. -(BLASTS) 557 00:37:43,949 --> 00:37:46,118 Lift off. Ignition. 558 00:37:46,243 --> 00:37:48,579 SHEPARD: Roger, lift off and the clock has started. 559 00:37:49,413 --> 00:37:54,043 REPORTER: The Redstone is rising from its launching pad, slowly at first, 560 00:37:55,336 --> 00:37:57,546 going straight up into the sky. 561 00:37:58,756 --> 00:38:00,633 SHEPARD: Yes, sir, reading you loud and clear. 562 00:38:01,926 --> 00:38:04,845 RENICK: The sound is now reaching our vantage point here. 563 00:38:05,930 --> 00:38:07,515 So far, so good. 564 00:38:08,557 --> 00:38:10,893 The news people are applauding. 565 00:38:12,353 --> 00:38:14,188 Tremendous cheers going off. 566 00:38:14,563 --> 00:38:18,400 Alan B. Shepard in the nose cone of that rocket. 567 00:38:20,736 --> 00:38:26,867 SHEPARD: This is Freedom 7. The fuel is go, 1.2 G, cabin at 14 psi. 568 00:38:26,992 --> 00:38:28,452 Oxygen is go. 569 00:38:28,702 --> 00:38:30,830 REPORTER: Seventy-eight thousand pounds of thrust. 570 00:38:31,413 --> 00:38:33,290 They're pushing the missile up into the sky. 571 00:38:33,457 --> 00:38:34,917 ENGINEER: The trajectory is A-okay. 572 00:38:35,793 --> 00:38:39,588 REPORTER: The speed is picking up to 4,500 miles an hour... 573 00:38:42,258 --> 00:38:45,970 to carry spaceman Shepard 115 miles above the earth. 574 00:38:46,303 --> 00:38:49,306 LAUNCH STAFF: Freedom 7 is still go. The trajectory is A-okay. 575 00:38:50,224 --> 00:38:55,521 Freedom 7 with astronaut Alan B. Shepard reports the fuel system is go, 4 G. 576 00:38:56,188 --> 00:38:58,399 SHEPARD: Cabin holding at 5.5. 577 00:38:58,816 --> 00:39:03,529 LAUNCH STAFF: Cabin 5.5 pounds per square inch. Oxygen go, all systems go. 578 00:39:03,946 --> 00:39:07,658 HACKES: Medical monitor okay. Apparently, the flight is going just 579 00:39:07,741 --> 00:39:10,536 as well as planned, perhaps even a little better. 580 00:39:10,661 --> 00:39:13,956 None of the emergencies for which we had planned for so long 581 00:39:14,039 --> 00:39:17,418 has, uh, yet taken place, and, of course, we hope none of them will. 582 00:39:18,544 --> 00:39:21,589 SHEPARD: On the periscope, what a beautiful view. 583 00:39:23,257 --> 00:39:27,386 HACKES: At this point, the pilot is about six minutes and 30 seconds 584 00:39:27,469 --> 00:39:30,347 after his launch, 6:30 after launch. 585 00:39:30,598 --> 00:39:34,602 In just a moment or two, he will confirm that he is at the apogee of his flight, 586 00:39:34,685 --> 00:39:37,396 that is the most distant point from the Earth, 587 00:39:37,479 --> 00:39:40,900 which we expect will be 115 to 117 miles. 588 00:39:42,484 --> 00:39:43,861 (HELICOPTER WHIRRING) 589 00:39:44,111 --> 00:39:48,032 REPORTER: Far out at sea an armada of ships stand by to pick the capsule 590 00:39:48,365 --> 00:39:50,618 out of the sea after it parachutes in. 591 00:39:51,452 --> 00:39:54,538 SHEPARD: Okay, reentry attitude retros are jettisoned. 592 00:39:55,706 --> 00:39:57,708 MUELLER: The capsule is dropping radar chaff 593 00:39:57,833 --> 00:39:59,376 for the search planes and the ship. 594 00:40:02,171 --> 00:40:06,091 SHEPARD: Uh... G-buildup, three... 595 00:40:06,967 --> 00:40:09,511 six... nine. 596 00:40:12,431 --> 00:40:16,226 Main chute is green, main chute is coming un-reefed and looks good. 597 00:40:16,352 --> 00:40:18,854 HACKES: This, of course, will be the first, uh, word we get. 598 00:40:18,938 --> 00:40:22,524 We hope within a matter of seconds that the capsule has been spotted. 599 00:40:29,782 --> 00:40:31,992 DOWNS: It just hit the water a moment ago. 600 00:40:32,868 --> 00:40:36,121 A cheer went up from the ship company watching here from all decks 601 00:40:36,205 --> 00:40:37,539 on the aircraft carrier. 602 00:40:38,165 --> 00:40:42,169 The astronaut, Alan Shepard, has just climbed out of the capsule. 603 00:40:42,836 --> 00:40:46,340 And they are now trying to get him up into the helicopter. 604 00:40:53,597 --> 00:40:56,725 No one, especially newsmen, will be allowed to ask him any questions 605 00:40:56,809 --> 00:40:59,269 until he has been debriefed by doctors. 606 00:41:05,317 --> 00:41:08,988 WOLFE: Glenn and the others now watched from the sidelines as Al Shepard 607 00:41:09,113 --> 00:41:10,698 was hoisted out of their midst. 608 00:41:11,115 --> 00:41:13,784 REPORTER: Here come the astronauts, and there's Shepard! 609 00:41:14,034 --> 00:41:18,122 WOLFE: And installed as a national hero on the order of a Lindbergh. 610 00:41:20,374 --> 00:41:25,004 As the first United States Astronaut, was an outstanding contribution 611 00:41:25,671 --> 00:41:29,049 to the advancement of human knowledge of space technology. 612 00:41:29,174 --> 00:41:32,553 And I speak on behalf of, uh, the Vice President, who is Chairman 613 00:41:32,636 --> 00:41:35,848 of our Space Council, the members of the House and Senate, 614 00:41:36,223 --> 00:41:38,475 space committee who are with us today. 615 00:41:39,685 --> 00:41:40,769 And, uh... 616 00:41:41,228 --> 00:41:43,772 this decoration which has gone from the ground up, here. 617 00:41:43,856 --> 00:41:48,485 (LAUGHTER AND APPLAUSE) 618 00:41:57,911 --> 00:42:02,374 Well, all of a sudden during the period of the middle of the weightlessness, 619 00:42:03,208 --> 00:42:05,544 I realized that somebody was gonna ask me that question. 620 00:42:06,045 --> 00:42:08,380 (ALL LAUGH) 621 00:42:10,591 --> 00:42:11,467 So... 622 00:42:11,842 --> 00:42:15,054 (APPLAUSE) 623 00:42:15,596 --> 00:42:17,890 So, I said to myself you'd better figure out an answer. 624 00:42:20,601 --> 00:42:25,606 Seriously, as we have said before, uh, during the short periods of weightlessness 625 00:42:25,689 --> 00:42:28,192 that we've experienced during our training period, 626 00:42:28,859 --> 00:42:30,611 it's quite a pleasant sensation. 627 00:42:37,701 --> 00:42:39,745 KENNEDY: Finally, if we are to win the battle 628 00:42:39,995 --> 00:42:41,914 that is now going on around the world... 629 00:42:42,873 --> 00:42:47,795 between freedom and tyranny, the dramatic achievements in space, 630 00:42:47,878 --> 00:42:51,715 which occurred in recent weeks, should have made clear to us all, 631 00:42:52,633 --> 00:42:55,010 as did the Sputnik in 1957, 632 00:42:56,011 --> 00:43:01,100 impact of this adventure on the minds of men everywhere 633 00:43:02,059 --> 00:43:06,480 who are attempting to make a determination of which road they should take. 634 00:43:07,523 --> 00:43:11,819 I believe that this nation should commit itself to achieving the goal 635 00:43:12,694 --> 00:43:16,240 before this decade is out of landing a man on the Moon 636 00:43:16,323 --> 00:43:20,577 -and returning him safely to the Earth. -(APPLAUSE) 637 00:43:20,994 --> 00:43:24,832 SHEARER: The president put it like this, "It will not be one man going to the Moon, 638 00:43:24,915 --> 00:43:28,752 "it will be the entire nation, for all of us must work to put him there." 639 00:43:41,348 --> 00:43:45,936 (EPIC MUSIC PLAYING) 640 00:43:46,520 --> 00:43:49,565 MCGEE: This training device was created especially for the astronauts. 641 00:43:50,190 --> 00:43:53,694 By releasing jets of air, they learn to control their movements 642 00:43:53,777 --> 00:43:57,281 in any one of three directions, or any combination of the three. 643 00:44:09,001 --> 00:44:12,754 As they perform these exercises, a film strip of the world's geography 644 00:44:12,838 --> 00:44:16,341 is projected on a screen to help them learn, by instant sighting, 645 00:44:16,466 --> 00:44:18,760 where they may be along their projected path. 646 00:44:22,181 --> 00:44:24,016 Virgil Grissom is the astronaut. 647 00:44:24,808 --> 00:44:27,477 Do you have any difficulty convincing yourself that you might actually 648 00:44:27,561 --> 00:44:29,313 see the world go by like that someday? 649 00:44:29,771 --> 00:44:32,524 I really don't sit in the trainer and think about myself 650 00:44:32,649 --> 00:44:34,109 being 100 miles above the Earth. 651 00:44:35,527 --> 00:44:38,655 I'm occupied with the control task and this is the thing that 652 00:44:38,739 --> 00:44:40,699 really occupies my mind, not daydreaming. 653 00:44:44,203 --> 00:44:46,538 BERGMAN: And here we are back at ABC News headquarters 654 00:44:46,622 --> 00:44:47,915 on Cape Canaveral. 655 00:44:48,040 --> 00:44:51,627 Scarcely three minutes away from America's second manned space shot 656 00:44:51,877 --> 00:44:54,755 with captain Gus Grissom sitting in the Mercury space capsule 657 00:44:54,838 --> 00:44:57,633 atop that 83-foot high Redstone rocket. 658 00:44:58,342 --> 00:45:01,136 And as of now, everything looks like it's in a go condition. 659 00:45:05,515 --> 00:45:07,226 SHEPARD: Periscope has retracted. 660 00:45:09,561 --> 00:45:11,688 T-minus 15 seconds. 661 00:45:13,649 --> 00:45:17,527 Ten, nine, eight, seven, six, 662 00:45:18,278 --> 00:45:22,824 five, four, three, two, one. 663 00:45:23,325 --> 00:45:25,619 Ignition. Lift off. 664 00:45:25,786 --> 00:45:27,454 (LAUNCHES) 665 00:45:44,012 --> 00:45:46,765 MALE VOICE: All systems are go, and Gus Grissom sounds 666 00:45:46,848 --> 00:45:49,434 like a very confident test pilot today. 667 00:45:50,310 --> 00:45:52,187 -SHEPARD: Loud and clear. -LAUNCH STAFF: Roger. 668 00:45:53,146 --> 00:45:56,275 GRISSOM: Okay, the fuel is go, about one and a quarter Gs. 669 00:45:56,358 --> 00:45:59,444 Cabin pressure is just coming off the peg. The oxygen is go. 670 00:46:02,823 --> 00:46:04,449 POWERS: Six seventeen into the flight. 671 00:46:05,867 --> 00:46:08,537 The capsule is coming around into orbit attitude. 672 00:46:10,580 --> 00:46:14,293 He has brought his spacecraft around into reentry attitude 673 00:46:14,376 --> 00:46:17,587 that is with the big bell shape beginning to point down. 674 00:46:43,530 --> 00:46:46,366 REPORTER: Flight Surgeon reports that Gus Grissom came through 675 00:46:46,450 --> 00:46:49,703 the high G forces of reentry in A-okay condition. 676 00:47:05,594 --> 00:47:08,138 REPORTER: Now, we're advised that as a result of communications 677 00:47:08,221 --> 00:47:12,267 with Gus Grissom floating in the water, he's told his recovery helicopters that 678 00:47:12,851 --> 00:47:16,313 he intends to finish his checklist and make sure that everything is secure 679 00:47:16,396 --> 00:47:18,899 in the cockpit before he opens the hatch to come out. 680 00:47:22,069 --> 00:47:24,780 (HELICOPTER WHIRRING) 681 00:47:30,494 --> 00:47:33,580 MALE VOICE: The astronaut, Virgil Grissom, is out of the capsule, 682 00:47:33,663 --> 00:47:34,956 swimming in the water. 683 00:47:41,838 --> 00:47:44,925 The capsule itself is apparently sinking lower into the water... 684 00:47:47,427 --> 00:47:51,223 and there is fear that it might sink completely below the surface of the water. 685 00:47:51,515 --> 00:47:54,476 Two helicopters are hovering very close to the astronaut 686 00:47:54,559 --> 00:47:55,811 and the capsule out there. 687 00:48:00,816 --> 00:48:03,360 The helicopter is holding up the capsule itself. 688 00:48:03,652 --> 00:48:06,363 They're checking on Grissom again, but the helicopter has a cable 689 00:48:06,446 --> 00:48:09,408 aboard the capsule and is holding it up at the present time. 690 00:48:11,034 --> 00:48:14,079 The helicopter is hovering over and holding the capsule up. 691 00:48:14,788 --> 00:48:18,583 The capsule was sinking badly in the water and that's the reason that Virgil Grissom 692 00:48:18,667 --> 00:48:20,252 got out of the capsule. 693 00:48:22,212 --> 00:48:24,381 One helicopter is hovering very close to the capsule 694 00:48:24,506 --> 00:48:26,091 and now they're moving in beside it. 695 00:48:26,299 --> 00:48:29,594 They'll have to hold the capsule up and get a cable down to Grissom as well. 696 00:48:31,972 --> 00:48:33,140 (LOUD SPLASH) 697 00:48:33,598 --> 00:48:35,475 MALE VOICE: The capsule has dropped. 698 00:48:35,809 --> 00:48:38,186 The capsule has been dropped by the helicopter. 699 00:48:38,520 --> 00:48:40,230 And it's dropped back into the water. 700 00:48:40,313 --> 00:48:42,649 Now, whether they can get it again before it sinks or not, 701 00:48:42,983 --> 00:48:45,318 that is going to be a major problem at this time. 702 00:48:53,368 --> 00:48:55,287 WOLFE: By this time, Grissom was nearly drowning. 703 00:48:55,370 --> 00:48:57,539 He had forgotten to close one of the inlet valves 704 00:48:57,622 --> 00:48:59,166 for the oxygen supply in his suit. 705 00:49:00,542 --> 00:49:02,544 (HELICOPTER WHIRRING) 706 00:49:04,463 --> 00:49:07,799 REPORTER: They're making an attempt to get a cable to Virgil Grissom. 707 00:49:11,011 --> 00:49:14,598 And it looks like Grissom is coming up now, it looks like Grissom is coming up 708 00:49:14,723 --> 00:49:18,768 out of the water. And there's, you can, you can see him now. 709 00:49:18,977 --> 00:49:22,397 He's about four miles from us, and he's being pulled up. 710 00:49:29,404 --> 00:49:33,241 And Grissom is safe and sound in the helicopter after his dunking 711 00:49:33,325 --> 00:49:35,577 when the capsule itself started to sink. 712 00:49:41,416 --> 00:49:44,669 MCGEE: To recap briefly, we have had a second successful launching 713 00:49:44,753 --> 00:49:47,964 of an American astronaut. Obviously not as successful as the first one 714 00:49:48,048 --> 00:49:51,176 because the capsule itself was lost in the recovery operation, 715 00:49:51,259 --> 00:49:54,513 but successful in its most important and critical area. 716 00:49:54,721 --> 00:49:58,767 The astronaut himself, Air Force Captain Virgil Grissom, was recovered. 717 00:50:00,477 --> 00:50:02,979 WOLFE: The capsule had been equipped for the first time with a hatch 718 00:50:03,063 --> 00:50:04,523 that could be opened from the inside. 719 00:50:07,192 --> 00:50:11,196 Now, the controversy was over whether or not he had panicked and decided, 720 00:50:11,279 --> 00:50:13,156 "I've gotta get out of this thing," and hit the button, 721 00:50:13,240 --> 00:50:15,742 causing this catastrophe. Or whether he had blundered, 722 00:50:16,076 --> 00:50:18,245 and had inadvertently somehow hit the thing, 723 00:50:18,578 --> 00:50:21,081 either of which would be a cardinal sin. 724 00:50:22,165 --> 00:50:23,959 REPORTER: The President has called 725 00:50:24,084 --> 00:50:27,295 to the astronaut Captain Virgil Gus Grissom. 726 00:50:52,112 --> 00:50:54,072 WOLFE: Grissom had John F. Kennedy to thank. 727 00:51:00,787 --> 00:51:05,250 He was not about to let the second flight of his new administration 728 00:51:05,750 --> 00:51:07,377 be classified as a debacle. 729 00:51:08,545 --> 00:51:10,422 By, it's kind of universal agreement, it was said, 730 00:51:10,505 --> 00:51:12,799 "Well, Gus's flight was really a success. 731 00:51:16,303 --> 00:51:18,346 "He just had a little trouble at the very end." 732 00:51:24,102 --> 00:51:26,521 GRISSOM: I started my, uh, pitch and yaw movement 733 00:51:26,605 --> 00:51:31,276 to check out the manual control system, and, uh, I was so fascinated by this view 734 00:51:31,359 --> 00:51:33,778 out the window that I had difficulty controlling on... 735 00:51:34,070 --> 00:51:35,739 difficulty concentrating on the instruments. 736 00:51:35,822 --> 00:51:37,365 I kept wanting to peek out the window. 737 00:51:38,700 --> 00:51:39,701 You over here. 738 00:51:40,327 --> 00:51:44,247 REPORTER: What happened to the inflatable, uh, life raft, Gus? 739 00:51:44,331 --> 00:51:47,334 Did you have to get out too fast for that, or what's the procedure? 740 00:51:47,417 --> 00:51:51,212 GRISSOM: Uh... I took off my helmet, unstrapped myself, 741 00:51:51,630 --> 00:51:55,759 I called, uh, helicopters, told them I was ready to come out. 742 00:51:56,051 --> 00:51:59,012 So I was all set, waiting for them, laid back down on the couch. 743 00:51:59,512 --> 00:52:02,057 I was just laying there, minding my own business when, "Pow," 744 00:52:02,766 --> 00:52:05,268 the hatch went, I looked up, and I saw nothing but blue sky, 745 00:52:05,352 --> 00:52:07,020 and water starting to come in over the sill. 746 00:52:07,103 --> 00:52:09,731 Uh, without a doubt that was the biggest shock of the day to me, 747 00:52:09,814 --> 00:52:10,940 to see that door go off. 748 00:52:11,191 --> 00:52:12,901 -Back, over here. -REPORTER: Do you have an impression 749 00:52:12,984 --> 00:52:15,153 of how much time elapsed between the time the hatch blew 750 00:52:15,236 --> 00:52:17,530 -and the capsule would fill? -REPORTER: Somebody said to you, 751 00:52:17,656 --> 00:52:20,158 "Get out of the blank, blank capsule quick." 752 00:52:20,450 --> 00:52:22,661 -Was this part of your conversation? -REPORTER: In addition to the hatch, 753 00:52:22,744 --> 00:52:24,412 what are the other things you... 754 00:52:24,496 --> 00:52:26,331 REPORTER: Captain, do you have any explanation 755 00:52:26,414 --> 00:52:28,208 of why that escape hatch came off? 756 00:52:28,291 --> 00:52:32,003 Is it possible you could have grazed against the plunger button? 757 00:52:32,796 --> 00:52:35,215 Well, I'm, uh, pretty certain in my own mind that I didn't 758 00:52:35,298 --> 00:52:37,300 because it's quite difficult to get to it. 759 00:52:37,926 --> 00:52:42,389 (APPLAUSE) 760 00:52:42,972 --> 00:52:46,726 REPORTER: NBC News has presented a news conference by Mercury astronaut 761 00:52:46,851 --> 00:52:51,523 Virgil I. Grissom, who, yesterday, became America's second man into space. 762 00:53:08,415 --> 00:53:10,709 REPORTER: Two pilot teams have been selected 763 00:53:10,804 --> 00:53:14,479 for Project Mercury's initial manned orbital spaceflight. 764 00:53:15,630 --> 00:53:19,551 John H. Glenn Jr. has been selected for the first flight 765 00:53:20,135 --> 00:53:22,512 with Scott Carpenter acting as backup. 766 00:53:27,684 --> 00:53:30,270 GLENN: We've done a great amount of training, as you're well aware. 767 00:53:30,687 --> 00:53:34,941 A lot of it has been new and varied, and as we have gone through a lot of this, 768 00:53:35,066 --> 00:53:38,027 I have tried to share a lot of this with the family when I come home 769 00:53:38,111 --> 00:53:39,612 from various activities. 770 00:53:39,779 --> 00:53:42,782 In fact, that's usually the first thing we do when I get home from a trip. 771 00:53:42,866 --> 00:53:45,744 We all, uh, get caught up, not only on my activities, 772 00:53:45,827 --> 00:53:48,580 but on what Annie and the children have been doing, too. 773 00:53:50,123 --> 00:53:53,042 I'm sure you've given some thought to the possibility that this flight 774 00:53:53,126 --> 00:53:55,378 may not turn out well, and that you may not come back. 775 00:53:56,212 --> 00:53:57,964 If that should happen, what kind of a memory 776 00:53:58,047 --> 00:53:59,924 would you want your boy to have about you? 777 00:54:08,057 --> 00:54:10,602 Well, that's an interesting question, to say the least. (CHUCKLES) 778 00:54:10,685 --> 00:54:11,644 MCGEE: It is. 779 00:54:12,687 --> 00:54:14,147 GLENN: We all have certain talents. 780 00:54:14,355 --> 00:54:17,692 It's up to us to use those talents that we have to the maximum. 781 00:54:17,942 --> 00:54:22,572 And if I can leave that sort of a heritage that I used the talents I had to the best 782 00:54:22,822 --> 00:54:26,910 of my ability while I was here, I think that's the best memory anyone could leave. 783 00:54:29,537 --> 00:54:31,372 REPORTER: Around town, the tension is building, 784 00:54:31,456 --> 00:54:33,416 perhaps more than we've ever seen it here. 785 00:54:35,919 --> 00:54:39,547 RENICK: The big question here surrounding tomorrow's scheduled launch 786 00:54:39,631 --> 00:54:42,050 of astronaut John Glenn into a triple orbit around 787 00:54:42,133 --> 00:54:43,676 the Earth is weather. 788 00:54:44,052 --> 00:54:47,180 Weather here at the launch site and downrange in the Atlantic 789 00:54:47,305 --> 00:54:52,290 where Navy recovery vessels are scheduled to meet Glenn as he comes out of orbit. 790 00:54:59,400 --> 00:55:03,071 WOLFE: John Glenn was about to make his flight, 791 00:55:03,154 --> 00:55:05,406 in which he would be the first American to go into orbit. 792 00:55:08,159 --> 00:55:11,246 The flight was to take place in February, and there was about four or five flights 793 00:55:11,329 --> 00:55:13,331 that were delayed by the weather. 794 00:55:18,253 --> 00:55:21,631 Glenn had been up on top of the rocket for five and a half hours, 795 00:55:22,215 --> 00:55:23,758 waiting for the weather to clear. 796 00:55:25,844 --> 00:55:29,514 Finally, it wouldn't clear, and the flight was scrubbed. 797 00:55:31,474 --> 00:55:33,017 REPORTER: I have an announcement for you. 798 00:55:33,309 --> 00:55:35,019 An attempt to launch a man 799 00:55:35,103 --> 00:55:38,273 to orbital Project Mercury spacecraft here today... 800 00:55:38,815 --> 00:55:43,069 was postponed due to a heavy overcast in the launch area. 801 00:55:44,153 --> 00:55:47,073 WOLFE: And at this point, Lyndon Johnson, who was Vice President, 802 00:55:47,156 --> 00:55:50,702 and had been made a kind of functionary in-charge of the space program 803 00:55:50,827 --> 00:55:52,412 to give a Vice President something to do, 804 00:55:52,620 --> 00:55:55,373 was suffering an extreme case of media deprivation. 805 00:55:55,456 --> 00:55:58,710 And he was determined to get inside of the Glenn household, 806 00:55:58,793 --> 00:56:01,004 and console Annie Glenn... 807 00:56:01,588 --> 00:56:04,465 on nationwide television for the ordeal that she had had to go through 808 00:56:04,549 --> 00:56:07,552 while waiting to see if her husband was going to be exploded into space, 809 00:56:07,635 --> 00:56:08,887 or up to the harp form. 810 00:56:09,512 --> 00:56:11,848 REPORTER: The reaction here at the Glenn household, of course, 811 00:56:11,931 --> 00:56:15,310 is one of disappointment. Mrs. Glenn, uh, was anxious for the shot 812 00:56:15,393 --> 00:56:17,896 to go this morning, as, uh, were all of us. 813 00:56:18,313 --> 00:56:21,357 She is looking forward to the next launching date, yet to be announced. 814 00:56:21,441 --> 00:56:24,027 As you can see, a large crowd of reporters, neighbors, 815 00:56:24,110 --> 00:56:26,446 and casual spectators are gathered here. 816 00:56:27,488 --> 00:56:30,575 WOLFE: Now, Annie Glenn was terrified of this visit. 817 00:56:31,117 --> 00:56:33,411 Fact was, as practically no one in the country knew, 818 00:56:33,536 --> 00:56:35,079 she had a ferocious stutter. 819 00:56:37,999 --> 00:56:40,627 So, she kept sending out word that, "No. Thank you very much. 820 00:56:40,710 --> 00:56:42,503 "I really don't want to see the Vice President. 821 00:56:42,587 --> 00:56:44,047 "It's a very private moment for me." 822 00:56:44,505 --> 00:56:46,007 She just wouldn't let him in the door. 823 00:56:46,382 --> 00:56:49,302 And by now, he was in a limousine about six blocks away, 824 00:56:49,385 --> 00:56:52,221 waiting to be admitted to the presence of the space-wife. 825 00:56:53,640 --> 00:56:56,225 First thing Glenn knows, he's back in the ready room, 826 00:56:56,309 --> 00:56:59,187 taking off his pressure suit, and in comes a delegation... 827 00:56:59,479 --> 00:57:01,940 of brass from NASA, marching into the place, saying, 828 00:57:02,065 --> 00:57:03,441 "John, we need your cooperation, 829 00:57:03,524 --> 00:57:05,276 "we're having a little problem with your wife." 830 00:57:05,360 --> 00:57:06,945 He says, "You're having a problem with my wife?" 831 00:57:07,362 --> 00:57:10,114 And they said, "Well, yeah, she won't let the Vice President into the house. 832 00:57:10,198 --> 00:57:13,117 "And you tell her, she's going to let the Vice President of the United States 833 00:57:13,201 --> 00:57:16,621 "into that house to console her." So Glenn gets on the telephone, 834 00:57:16,704 --> 00:57:20,083 and he says, "Look, if you don't want the Vice President to come in, 835 00:57:20,166 --> 00:57:23,294 "if you don't want the President to come in, they're not coming in!" 836 00:57:24,837 --> 00:57:30,134 Well, Glenn, with that gesture, stood a good chance of losing his flight 837 00:57:31,135 --> 00:57:33,388 because James Webb, who was the new administrator of NASA 838 00:57:33,471 --> 00:57:35,390 at that time, he wanted to replace him right away. 839 00:57:36,099 --> 00:57:37,850 You know, he said, "He's not a team player." 840 00:57:38,768 --> 00:57:41,896 It was only the fact that some of Webb's subordinates immediately said, 841 00:57:41,980 --> 00:57:44,107 "Look, the astronauts have their differences. 842 00:57:44,190 --> 00:57:45,400 "They have a lot of rivalries. 843 00:57:45,483 --> 00:57:47,652 "But on something like this, they're going to close ranks 844 00:57:48,194 --> 00:57:51,114 "as any pilots would in a squadron, and they're going to rebel. 845 00:57:54,492 --> 00:57:56,744 "And you simply will not be able to carry it through." 846 00:58:10,258 --> 00:58:12,844 KAPLOW: And here is pilot Glenn stepping out now. 847 00:58:14,971 --> 00:58:17,598 Switching the portable air cooler 848 00:58:17,682 --> 00:58:19,934 from his left to his right hand, then back to his left. 849 00:58:20,018 --> 00:58:23,521 And he moves his way around the front of the truck on Launchpad 14. 850 00:58:29,444 --> 00:58:32,030 And now stepping into the elevator, followed by Dr. Douglas, 851 00:58:32,113 --> 00:58:35,825 by suit technician Schmitt, by astronaut Deke Slayton. 852 00:58:39,370 --> 00:58:43,041 BERGMAN: Colonel John Glenn was awakened at 2:20 a.m. Eastern Time 853 00:58:43,166 --> 00:58:45,710 this morning to begin preparing for this mission. 854 00:58:48,254 --> 00:58:51,966 The second attempt at getting the free world's first man hurled 855 00:58:52,050 --> 00:58:54,427 into a three-orbit mission around this world. 856 00:59:11,194 --> 00:59:13,571 I don't know any words for this except the trite ones, 857 00:59:13,696 --> 00:59:15,990 tension is mounting here at Cape Canaveral. 858 00:59:16,532 --> 00:59:20,411 We've heard that phrase so many times before, but I don't know any circumstance 859 00:59:20,495 --> 00:59:22,330 to which is applies quite like this. 860 00:59:22,538 --> 00:59:24,123 FLIGHT DIRECTOR: Status check, pressurization? 861 00:59:24,207 --> 00:59:27,210 MALE VOICE: Go. LOX tanking? I have a blinking, high-level light? 862 00:59:27,335 --> 00:59:30,171 -MALE VOICE 1: You are Go! -MALE VOICE 2: Umbilical retract now? 863 00:59:30,296 --> 00:59:32,548 -FLIGHT DIRECTOR: Range operations? -LAUNCH STAFF: Go, clear to launch. 864 00:59:32,632 --> 00:59:34,133 -FLIGHT DIRECTOR: Mercury capsule? -LAUNCH STAFF: Go! 865 00:59:34,217 --> 00:59:38,221 Fifteen seconds. Good Lord riding all the way. Godspeed, John Glenn. 866 00:59:38,387 --> 00:59:41,140 REPORTER: Moving past 30 seconds into the countdown. 867 00:59:41,224 --> 00:59:42,809 LAUNCH STAFF: Ten seconds and counting. 868 00:59:43,392 --> 00:59:46,479 -REPORTER: T-minus ten seconds. -LAUNCH STAFF: Ten, nine, eight, seven, 869 00:59:46,646 --> 00:59:50,233 six, five, four, three 870 00:59:50,817 --> 00:59:54,737 two, one, zero, ignition. 871 00:59:55,863 --> 00:59:59,117 Liftoff. Liftoff! 872 01:00:01,369 --> 01:00:03,871 (TRIUMPHANT MUSIC PLAYING) 873 01:00:06,040 --> 01:00:08,251 REPORTER: The Atlas missile has lifted off from the pad, 874 01:00:09,043 --> 01:00:11,295 and is rising steady into the sky. 875 01:00:20,930 --> 01:00:23,307 (ROCKET ENGINE ROARING) 876 01:00:36,070 --> 01:00:42,743 REPORTER: As John Glenn Jr. has begun his first orbital ride around the Earth. 877 01:00:54,130 --> 01:00:56,340 The time of the lift off was 9:47. 878 01:00:56,632 --> 01:00:59,635 As the spacecraft moved out of sight from Florida, 879 01:00:59,719 --> 01:01:01,971 it was picked up by the Bermuda tracking station. 880 01:01:02,847 --> 01:01:05,892 John Glenn's voice was coming in loud and clear. 881 01:01:06,809 --> 01:01:09,353 GLENN: So, the sun is coming up behind me in the periscope, 882 01:01:09,645 --> 01:01:11,898 a brilliant, brilliant red. Over. 883 01:01:13,274 --> 01:01:14,775 -MALE VOICE: Roger. -(RADIO STATIC) 884 01:01:22,325 --> 01:01:24,535 TOWNSEND: Exactly one hour and three minutes ago, 885 01:01:24,660 --> 01:01:26,913 John Glenn left Cape Canaveral. 886 01:01:27,288 --> 01:01:31,626 Traveling at 17,545 miles an hour at an altitude varying 887 01:01:31,792 --> 01:01:35,254 from 100 to 160 miles above the Earth. 888 01:01:38,799 --> 01:01:40,551 REPORTER: Did you ever show up for work today? 889 01:01:40,635 --> 01:01:43,930 FEMALE VOICE: Yes, I did. We got permission from our company to watch it. 890 01:01:44,013 --> 01:01:45,348 REPORTER: Good for them. I don't... 891 01:01:45,431 --> 01:01:47,725 imagine they figure they'd get much work out of you anyway. 892 01:01:47,808 --> 01:01:50,102 Not today. They said this is more important than work. 893 01:01:52,063 --> 01:01:55,399 GLENN: Uh, this is Friendship 7, I'll try to describe what I'm in here. 894 01:01:55,775 --> 01:01:59,779 Uh, I am in a... a big mass of some very small particles, 895 01:02:00,238 --> 01:02:03,115 uh, that are brilliantly lit up, like they're luminescent. 896 01:02:03,199 --> 01:02:05,368 I never saw anything like it. They're around a little... 897 01:02:05,952 --> 01:02:07,620 they're coming by the capsule... 898 01:02:08,788 --> 01:02:12,750 uh, and they look like little stars, a whole shower of them coming by. 899 01:02:14,669 --> 01:02:17,213 WOLFE: They were undoubtedly particles of some sort, 900 01:02:17,505 --> 01:02:20,299 particles that caught the sunlight at a certain angle. 901 01:02:21,092 --> 01:02:22,218 They were beautiful. 902 01:02:23,970 --> 01:02:25,930 There are literally thousands of them. 903 01:02:26,931 --> 01:02:28,641 WOLFE: But were they coming from the capsule? 904 01:02:29,016 --> 01:02:30,226 That could mean trouble. 905 01:02:37,275 --> 01:02:40,486 WOLFE: They swirled around his capsule like tiny weightless diamonds, 906 01:02:40,695 --> 01:02:44,031 little bijoux, no? They were more like fireflies. 907 01:02:45,408 --> 01:02:47,618 GLENN: Uh, now that I am out in the bright sun, 908 01:02:47,994 --> 01:02:49,912 uh, they seem to have disappeared. 909 01:02:59,547 --> 01:03:01,132 LAUNCH STAFF: Flight from data reduction. 910 01:03:01,757 --> 01:03:02,758 Go ahead. 911 01:03:18,190 --> 01:03:19,233 (ALARM BLINKING) 912 01:03:19,442 --> 01:03:22,611 LAUNCH STAFF: Uh, Friendship 7, uh, we have been reading, uh, 913 01:03:22,695 --> 01:03:26,741 indication on the ground on segment 51, which is landing bag deploy. 914 01:03:27,074 --> 01:03:29,910 Uh, we suspect this is an erroneous signal. 915 01:03:34,623 --> 01:03:37,251 WOLFE: If the landing bag had deployed, and there was no way 916 01:03:37,335 --> 01:03:39,003 he could look out and see it, 917 01:03:39,295 --> 01:03:43,174 not even with the periscope because it would be directly behind him, 918 01:03:43,382 --> 01:03:46,802 if it had deployed, then the heat shield must be loose, 919 01:03:47,136 --> 01:03:49,180 and might come off during reentry. 920 01:03:50,514 --> 01:03:55,936 If the heat shield came off, he would burn up inside the capsule like a steak. 921 01:03:58,606 --> 01:04:02,401 REPORTER: When the, uh, craft does begin to encounter denser atmosphere 922 01:04:02,485 --> 01:04:07,156 that temperature we were talking about will mount up to about 3,000 degrees. 923 01:04:07,406 --> 01:04:11,327 That will occur at approximately 25 miles altitude. 924 01:04:12,161 --> 01:04:17,083 And at that point, the spacecraft will be moving at about 15,000 miles an hour. 925 01:04:17,500 --> 01:04:20,669 The craft will sustain temperature of that amount for about two minutes, 926 01:04:21,128 --> 01:04:25,466 and the problem will be to have it absorbed by the heat shield, 927 01:04:25,549 --> 01:04:30,221 which is made of a very special sort of plastic material that will burn off. 928 01:04:33,933 --> 01:04:36,435 LAUNCH STAFF: Can you give him that message please, Linus? 929 01:04:36,644 --> 01:04:37,853 Roger, we can do. 930 01:04:39,480 --> 01:04:41,232 SHEPARD: Uh, Seven, this is Cape. Over? 931 01:04:41,941 --> 01:04:45,236 We're not sure whether or not your landing bag has deployed. 932 01:04:45,611 --> 01:04:50,366 Uh, we feel it's far safer to re-enter with the retro package on. 933 01:04:50,783 --> 01:04:55,162 Uh, we see no difficulty at this time in that type of reentry. Over. 934 01:04:55,496 --> 01:04:58,124 Uh, this is Friendship 7. Now, what is the reason for this? 935 01:04:58,207 --> 01:04:59,667 Do you have any reason? Over. 936 01:05:05,381 --> 01:05:08,092 DAVIS: There had been some trouble with the heat shield equipment 937 01:05:08,592 --> 01:05:12,179 over Hawaii, and they have taken a precautionary measure 938 01:05:12,263 --> 01:05:15,808 to keep the heat shield equipment on with the retro package for a while, 939 01:05:16,267 --> 01:05:19,478 to make sure that the warning they got was a false warning. 940 01:05:19,854 --> 01:05:23,941 And so, the heat shield retro packet was kept on the space capsule, 941 01:05:24,275 --> 01:05:26,026 and, uh, precautions were taken. 942 01:05:26,652 --> 01:05:30,197 Uh, this is Friendship 7, uh, going to reentry attitude then in that case. 943 01:05:31,532 --> 01:05:33,367 REPORTER: The retro packet and the retrorockets 944 01:05:33,492 --> 01:05:35,202 we talk about are really brakes. 945 01:05:35,619 --> 01:05:40,541 John Glenn's capsule was in space with the large blunt end, facing forward, 946 01:05:40,624 --> 01:05:43,794 and the retrorockets are on that blunt end. 947 01:05:44,253 --> 01:05:47,882 And what they are, is they throw some thrust out forward, 948 01:05:48,090 --> 01:05:51,093 slowing the capsule down, and that reduces its speed 949 01:05:51,177 --> 01:05:55,264 below orbital velocity, and the capsule starts to reenter the atmosphere. 950 01:05:56,015 --> 01:05:57,725 All right, roger, retracting scope manually. 951 01:05:59,351 --> 01:06:03,063 REPORTER: He is in good condition, and preparing to fire those retrorockets 952 01:06:03,189 --> 01:06:06,275 to begin that long landing flight towards the Atlantic. 953 01:06:07,526 --> 01:06:12,948 CAPCOM: Five, four, three, two, one, fire. 954 01:06:14,033 --> 01:06:17,745 GLENN: Roger, retros are firing. Are they ever. 955 01:06:18,162 --> 01:06:19,997 It feels like I'm going back toward Hawaii. 956 01:06:29,632 --> 01:06:31,133 CAPCOM: Uh, Seven, this is Cape. Over. 957 01:06:32,426 --> 01:06:35,679 -Go ahead, Cape, you're going out. -(RADIO STATIC) 958 01:06:35,888 --> 01:06:38,015 CAPCOM: Uh, we recommend that you... 959 01:06:47,608 --> 01:06:50,653 LAUNCH STAFF: Friendship 7 spacecraft is now encountering the atmosphere 960 01:06:51,278 --> 01:06:53,405 off the east coast of Florida. 961 01:06:53,656 --> 01:06:55,491 TOWNSEND: He's over the east coast of Florida, 962 01:06:55,741 --> 01:06:59,245 and, uh, at the moment, there is no contact with John Glenn. 963 01:07:01,080 --> 01:07:04,333 GLENN: (INAUDIBLE) I have a white sand... correction... 964 01:07:04,458 --> 01:07:06,377 CAPCOM: Uh, Seven, this is Cape, do you read? Over. 965 01:07:13,092 --> 01:07:16,595 POWERS: The Mercury spacecraft is in its reentry process at this time. 966 01:07:17,137 --> 01:07:19,473 CAPCOM: Uh, Seven, this is Cape, do you read? Over. 967 01:07:20,641 --> 01:07:23,727 POWERS: We are not receiving any voice communication at this time. 968 01:07:24,061 --> 01:07:28,399 And we're waiting for the electric moment when we hear that the main chute 969 01:07:28,482 --> 01:07:31,860 has deployed, and is bringing him safely back to Earth. 970 01:07:32,278 --> 01:07:34,154 CAPCOM: Friendship 7, this is Cape, do you read? 971 01:07:38,409 --> 01:07:41,245 (INDISTINCT CLAMOR) 972 01:07:43,622 --> 01:07:49,044 (INTENSE MUSIC PLAYING) 973 01:07:51,547 --> 01:07:54,049 GLENN: This is Friendship 7. A real fireball outside. 974 01:08:13,360 --> 01:08:17,948 DOWNS: We have not yet seen any sign of the drogue parachute, 975 01:08:18,032 --> 01:08:21,327 which would appear, it opens up at about 40,000 feet. 976 01:08:23,704 --> 01:08:24,788 (AIR WHOOSHES LOUDLY) 977 01:08:25,039 --> 01:08:28,167 GLENN: The chute is on green, chute is out in reef condition 978 01:08:28,250 --> 01:08:31,837 at 10,800 feet and beautiful chute. 979 01:08:32,963 --> 01:08:34,214 Chute looks good. 980 01:08:35,883 --> 01:08:39,136 LAUNCH STAFF: The Destroyer has the capsule parachute in sight. 981 01:08:39,511 --> 01:08:41,138 -They are talking. -MALE VOICE: Roger. 982 01:08:41,597 --> 01:08:44,141 TOWNSEND: He should be splashing down in about 20 seconds from now, 983 01:08:44,224 --> 01:08:45,559 if our advance estimate is correct. 984 01:08:48,771 --> 01:08:50,773 This is Friendship 7, standing by for impact. 985 01:08:56,654 --> 01:09:00,324 TOWNSEND: Right now, the Destroyer Noa is coming 986 01:09:00,407 --> 01:09:02,159 right alongside the capsule. 987 01:09:02,409 --> 01:09:06,497 So, within a matter of a very few minutes, we ought to be getting word 988 01:09:06,747 --> 01:09:10,084 on the pickup of John Glenn from the Friendship 7. 989 01:09:12,461 --> 01:09:15,297 We have another report now from Colonel Powers. Here he is. 990 01:09:15,381 --> 01:09:17,466 POWERS: The spacecraft was picked up clear of the water 991 01:09:17,549 --> 01:09:19,385 at one minute after 3:00, 992 01:09:19,468 --> 01:09:22,346 and finally set down on the deck at four minutes 993 01:09:22,429 --> 01:09:25,057 after 3:00 this afternoon, Eastern Standard Time. 994 01:09:27,142 --> 01:09:28,769 SHADEL: We have our reporter, Dave Nichols, 995 01:09:28,852 --> 01:09:30,771 standing by at Arlington, Virginia, 996 01:09:31,230 --> 01:09:32,523 at the home of Colonel Glenn. 997 01:09:33,982 --> 01:09:37,027 Mrs. Glenn will make an appearance there for the first time today. 998 01:09:37,986 --> 01:09:40,739 There are several things that... that we would like to say, 999 01:09:40,823 --> 01:09:42,950 but I would want everyone to know... 1000 01:09:43,992 --> 01:09:47,454 that this is the most wonderful day for my family, and we're quite... 1001 01:09:47,538 --> 01:09:52,376 we're so proud of our... of their... their... their father, 1002 01:09:53,043 --> 01:09:56,213 of the... Mercury team... 1003 01:09:57,589 --> 01:10:01,260 of everyone that's made this such a successful day. 1004 01:10:15,649 --> 01:10:19,611 TOWNSEND: Each orbit took approximately 89 minutes. There were three of them. 1005 01:10:20,154 --> 01:10:24,700 Undoubtedly, the most eventful four hours and 50 minutes of his entire life. 1006 01:10:28,537 --> 01:10:31,373 GLENN: Perhaps I could've been given information a little earlier 1007 01:10:31,498 --> 01:10:34,626 and a little more completely on the heat shield problem 1008 01:10:34,710 --> 01:10:36,378 where they thought it possibly was loose. 1009 01:10:38,130 --> 01:10:40,632 Apparently, there was a very, very lengthy discussion on this 1010 01:10:40,716 --> 01:10:43,886 that I was unaware of. And, uh, if I had been aware that 1011 01:10:44,094 --> 01:10:46,346 there was possibly a problem in this regard, 1012 01:10:46,972 --> 01:10:49,933 I would have been aware to watch more closely for little bumps 1013 01:10:50,017 --> 01:10:53,020 on the capsule, or anything that might have given a clue as to our status. 1014 01:10:54,605 --> 01:10:57,024 I was kept reasonably in the dark on this. 1015 01:10:59,151 --> 01:11:02,029 -How do you do, sir? What's your name? -My name is Oliver Whiting, 1016 01:11:02,112 --> 01:11:03,614 and I'm a British subject, sir. 1017 01:11:03,697 --> 01:11:05,824 That's rather apparent, sir, what do you think of, uh... 1018 01:11:05,908 --> 01:11:08,202 -Well, I think this is one of... -...what America and the free world 1019 01:11:08,327 --> 01:11:10,913 -have accomplished today. -Indeed. I think it's one of the greatest 1020 01:11:11,038 --> 01:11:14,541 scientific advances that has ever taken place in the lives of anybody 1021 01:11:14,625 --> 01:11:17,336 in this vast concourse. And I would like to say something, 1022 01:11:17,419 --> 01:11:19,463 -if I may be permitted to do so. -Please do. 1023 01:11:19,671 --> 01:11:23,759 Well, sir, it's this, I think that in this scientific age today, 1024 01:11:23,884 --> 01:11:26,512 we have shrunk the surface of the Earth 1025 01:11:26,970 --> 01:11:29,973 to such a state that now it's a single unit, and we cannot think 1026 01:11:30,057 --> 01:11:32,518 of it as otherwise, and I hope we never will again. 1027 01:11:41,109 --> 01:11:43,070 CRONKITE: John Glenn arrived home this morning 1028 01:11:43,153 --> 01:11:45,113 to be met in Florida by his family. 1029 01:11:54,873 --> 01:11:58,502 (CHEERING) 1030 01:12:07,010 --> 01:12:09,096 (MOTORCYCLE ENGINES REV) 1031 01:12:14,017 --> 01:12:16,687 CRONKITE: John Glenn now points out details 1032 01:12:16,770 --> 01:12:18,814 of the capsule to President Kennedy. 1033 01:12:19,398 --> 01:12:22,401 GLENN: Normally, those retrorockets are dropped off after firing. 1034 01:12:22,526 --> 01:12:24,903 There was some indication, though, on the ground 1035 01:12:25,320 --> 01:12:27,906 that the, uh, heat shield might have come loose, 1036 01:12:28,198 --> 01:12:31,034 and if this had happened, why, of course, the whole thing would just have 1037 01:12:31,118 --> 01:12:32,870 disintegrated, and burned up. 1038 01:12:33,453 --> 01:12:36,623 So that was rather... it was an interesting return. 1039 01:12:36,999 --> 01:12:39,501 Kind of like having a... (INAUDIBLE) 1040 01:12:40,377 --> 01:12:44,006 CRONKITE: Along with some answers, Glenn's flight produced some questions, 1041 01:12:44,089 --> 01:12:46,550 like the mystery of the tiny luminous particles 1042 01:12:46,675 --> 01:12:48,719 he reported seeing with each sunrise. 1043 01:12:49,511 --> 01:12:51,346 All I can say about these is I observed them. 1044 01:12:51,430 --> 01:12:56,768 I saw them for about, from the first light of sun to a period of some... 1045 01:12:57,519 --> 01:13:01,106 Uh... oh, three and a half, four minutes. 1046 01:13:01,940 --> 01:13:04,776 That time period made close observation of them. 1047 01:13:05,110 --> 01:13:08,780 Uh, they were very luminous, a yellowish green color. 1048 01:13:10,032 --> 01:13:13,869 And, uh, as George Ralph, our psychiatrist listened to this and said, 1049 01:13:14,286 --> 01:13:18,332 -"What did they say, John?" -(ALL LAUGH) 1050 01:13:18,749 --> 01:13:21,543 People I was sittin' this mornin' With this on my mind 1051 01:13:22,336 --> 01:13:25,172 Said there ain't no livin' man who go Around the world three time 1052 01:13:25,505 --> 01:13:27,007 But John Glenn done it 1053 01:13:29,426 --> 01:13:30,427 Yes, he did 1054 01:13:30,510 --> 01:13:33,221 WOLFE: When John Glenn became the first American to go into Earth orbit, 1055 01:13:33,639 --> 01:13:35,223 there was a ticker tape parade for him. 1056 01:13:35,599 --> 01:13:40,354 The astronauts all remembered so vividly the sight of New York policemen 1057 01:13:40,437 --> 01:13:42,898 directing traffic in the intersections for this big parade, 1058 01:13:43,273 --> 01:13:45,817 crying, tears rolling down their cheeks. 1059 01:13:47,527 --> 01:13:49,321 And saying, you know, "We love you, Johnny," 1060 01:13:49,404 --> 01:13:51,990 to John Glenn, "We love you." And I think it was an emotional moment 1061 01:13:52,282 --> 01:13:55,410 in this country's history that has never been equal since then. 1062 01:13:55,494 --> 01:13:57,996 I don't think we've had a nationwide hero since John Glenn. 1063 01:13:58,080 --> 01:13:59,414 John Glenn said it 1064 01:13:59,998 --> 01:14:04,670 MALE VOICE: All I can say is that in my 72 years of life, I, uh, 1065 01:14:04,753 --> 01:14:07,255 never witnessed anything like this before. 1066 01:14:09,883 --> 01:14:13,845 Today, I know that I seem to be standing alone on this great platform... 1067 01:14:15,555 --> 01:14:17,391 just as I seemed to be alone in the cockpit 1068 01:14:17,474 --> 01:14:19,142 of the Friendship 7 spacecraft... 1069 01:14:20,477 --> 01:14:21,603 but I'm not. 1070 01:14:22,437 --> 01:14:26,358 There were with me then and with me now, thousands of Americans, 1071 01:14:26,441 --> 01:14:29,444 and many hundreds of citizens of many countries around the world. 1072 01:14:31,905 --> 01:14:34,992 As our knowledge of this universe in which we live increases, 1073 01:14:35,951 --> 01:14:38,996 may God grant us the wisdom and guidance to use it wisely. 1074 01:14:39,871 --> 01:14:44,626 -Thank you very much. -(APPLAUSE) 1075 01:14:51,967 --> 01:14:54,386 VON FREMD: This flight was just the end of the beginning. 1076 01:14:54,469 --> 01:14:57,556 It was the first American orbital flight, but by no means the last. 1077 01:14:58,306 --> 01:15:01,768 The next one on the schedule should come about 60 days from now. 1078 01:15:04,813 --> 01:15:09,192 REPORTER: Donald Slayton, known as Deke, was replaced by M. Scott Carpenter, 1079 01:15:09,359 --> 01:15:14,156 the next astronaut in line for orbit, because of mild heart palpitations. 1080 01:15:25,625 --> 01:15:26,793 (TAPE STARTS RECORDING) 1081 01:15:27,085 --> 01:15:29,713 WOLFE: Okay, repeat after me, I went to a wonderful party. 1082 01:15:29,880 --> 01:15:31,465 RENE: I went to a wonderful party. 1083 01:15:31,715 --> 01:15:35,135 -WOLFE: I must say the fun was intense. -RENE: I must say the fun was intense. 1084 01:15:35,260 --> 01:15:38,513 WOLFE: We all had to do what the people we knew would be doing 100 years hence. 1085 01:15:38,597 --> 01:15:42,684 RENE: We all had to do what the people we knew would all be doing 100 years hence. 1086 01:16:27,062 --> 01:16:29,445 RENE: Yeah, I asked. Mm-hmm. 1087 01:16:46,998 --> 01:16:49,000 WOLFE: After a while, Rene didn't know whether 1088 01:16:49,084 --> 01:16:51,294 it was her modest literary ambitions 1089 01:16:52,129 --> 01:16:56,049 or her resentment of the pat role of astronaut wife that made her do it. 1090 01:17:19,865 --> 01:17:22,993 After the earlier successes of Shepard, Grissom, and Glenn, 1091 01:17:23,243 --> 01:17:26,621 Scott Carpenter's mission seemed, in advance, almost routine. 1092 01:17:27,164 --> 01:17:29,666 Actually, it was our most ambitious challenge yet. 1093 01:17:30,041 --> 01:17:34,254 It required the pilot to do things we hadn't dared ask of his predecessors. 1094 01:17:34,379 --> 01:17:37,507 A larger degree of control and maneuvering the space capsule, 1095 01:17:37,799 --> 01:17:40,552 more tests to help measure the way things move in space, 1096 01:17:40,802 --> 01:17:43,013 and how they look to a man observing them. 1097 01:17:53,565 --> 01:17:57,444 REPORTER: Now, the astronaut's ready, and so is everything else. 1098 01:17:58,987 --> 01:18:03,283 LAUNCH STAFF: Ten, nine, eight, seven, six. 1099 01:18:03,700 --> 01:18:06,203 RENE: 1100 01:18:06,578 --> 01:18:10,665 LAUNCH STAFF: Zero, ignition. Liftoff. 1101 01:18:13,251 --> 01:18:16,004 LAUNCH STAFF: Liftoff. Liftoff. The clock has started. 1102 01:18:17,756 --> 01:18:20,425 -Roger. -CARPENTER: Loud and clear, Gus. 1103 01:18:20,800 --> 01:18:24,012 GRISSOM: Roger, Aurora 7. Standby for the time hack. 1104 01:18:24,095 --> 01:18:24,971 CARPENTER: Roger. 1105 01:18:30,477 --> 01:18:32,771 RENE: 1106 01:18:44,909 --> 01:18:46,660 (RENE LAUGHS) 1107 01:18:47,702 --> 01:18:48,954 WOLFE: 1108 01:18:49,037 --> 01:18:50,580 RENE: 1109 01:18:50,664 --> 01:18:52,207 WOLFE: Thorns. 1110 01:18:54,417 --> 01:18:55,794 GRISSOM: Roger, Aurora. 1111 01:18:58,296 --> 01:18:59,673 CARPENTER: Clear blue sky. 1112 01:19:28,326 --> 01:19:29,536 (SHUTTER CLICKS) 1113 01:19:30,412 --> 01:19:33,373 CARPENTER: 1114 01:19:33,748 --> 01:19:34,749 (SHUTTER CLICKS) 1115 01:19:34,833 --> 01:19:39,115 CARPENTER: 1116 01:19:56,896 --> 01:19:58,481 CAPCOM: 1117 01:19:58,815 --> 01:20:00,734 CARPENTER: 1118 01:20:05,488 --> 01:20:06,698 CAPCOM: 1119 01:20:07,198 --> 01:20:09,534 CARPENTER: 1120 01:20:13,496 --> 01:20:15,081 CAPCOM: 1121 01:20:15,206 --> 01:20:16,249 CARPENTER: 1122 01:20:18,043 --> 01:20:20,045 CRONKITE: The crowds at Grand Central New York 1123 01:20:20,503 --> 01:20:21,880 and around the United States... 1124 01:20:23,256 --> 01:20:25,425 wait prayerfully for this moment, here's Powers. 1125 01:20:25,842 --> 01:20:29,471 POWERS: Our data at this time indicates that it is distinctly possible that 1126 01:20:29,554 --> 01:20:31,973 the Aurora 7 spacecraft may land 1127 01:20:32,057 --> 01:20:35,143 considerably longer down range than it was planned. 1128 01:20:35,894 --> 01:20:41,149 Our present estimate of his landing point may go as far as 200 miles down range. 1129 01:20:44,319 --> 01:20:46,613 WOLFE: Cronkite had been explaining Scott's fuel problem 1130 01:20:46,738 --> 01:20:48,239 as he entered the atmosphere, 1131 01:20:48,782 --> 01:20:52,660 then Cronkite's voice began to take on more and more concern. 1132 01:20:53,411 --> 01:20:58,208 We have a very, even more disturbing report it seems to this reporter here 1133 01:20:58,291 --> 01:21:00,460 from NASA, from space authorities. 1134 01:21:01,044 --> 01:21:04,672 They say they did not pick up any radar blips 1135 01:21:05,382 --> 01:21:08,301 from the descending spacecraft. 1136 01:21:09,719 --> 01:21:14,474 It almost begs for interpretation as to what that could mean. 1137 01:21:34,828 --> 01:21:40,417 There has not even been radar contact with the Aurora 7 since the last contact 1138 01:21:40,500 --> 01:21:42,627 with, uh, Scott Carpenter by voice, 1139 01:21:43,086 --> 01:21:46,756 which was back when he announced his G forces building 1140 01:21:47,132 --> 01:21:49,092 for the reentry into the atmosphere. 1141 01:21:50,135 --> 01:21:53,304 This is the worst chore this reporter ever went through, 1142 01:21:54,139 --> 01:21:57,517 trying to fill time when there is nothing to say, except wait. 1143 01:22:14,576 --> 01:22:17,704 Uh, it would seem that even 200 miles would not be too far to pick up 1144 01:22:17,787 --> 01:22:19,289 a radar signal. 1145 01:22:27,172 --> 01:22:28,882 (ENGINE REVVING) 1146 01:22:29,090 --> 01:22:32,802 POWERS: A US Navy P2V aircraft in the landing area 1147 01:22:32,886 --> 01:22:35,054 -has received an electronic contact. -(BEEPING) 1148 01:22:38,892 --> 01:22:40,101 RENE: 1149 01:22:51,654 --> 01:22:54,032 POWERS: We do not have any further details at this time, 1150 01:22:54,115 --> 01:22:56,868 except now diverting his aircraft into that immediate area. 1151 01:22:57,619 --> 01:23:01,873 CRONKITE: Let's go now to Joe Campbell, who is aboard the USS Intrepid. 1152 01:23:01,956 --> 01:23:04,709 CAMPBELL: Well, we've just received a happy word that one of the ships' 1153 01:23:04,834 --> 01:23:06,336 own jet helicopters, 1154 01:23:06,628 --> 01:23:08,713 which has been speeding to the scene of impact, 1155 01:23:09,047 --> 01:23:13,551 has just affected rescue of astronaut Scott Carpenter, 1156 01:23:13,676 --> 01:23:16,387 and is now proceeding towards the Intrepid. 1157 01:23:20,683 --> 01:23:24,020 -CRONKITE: Oh, boy. -(CHEERING) 1158 01:23:25,271 --> 01:23:28,274 CRONKITE: Well, that's the longest 45 minutes we've ever spent. 1159 01:23:29,484 --> 01:23:31,861 Scott Carpenter is out of the Atlantic Ocean. 1160 01:23:32,529 --> 01:23:36,824 After his four hours and 50 minutes in space, three hours on the Atlantic, 1161 01:23:36,908 --> 01:23:38,910 bobbing around in that small raft. 1162 01:23:43,039 --> 01:23:45,333 EDWARDS: Well, it started out like Buck Rogers, 1163 01:23:45,416 --> 01:23:48,503 and wound up like a condensed version of Robinson Crusoe. 1164 01:23:50,755 --> 01:23:54,300 News of Carpenter's recovery reached his wife Rene at Cocoa Beach, Florida, 1165 01:23:54,384 --> 01:23:56,803 -the site of space program headquarters. -RENE: I want to say... 1166 01:23:58,846 --> 01:23:59,764 that... 1167 01:24:00,932 --> 01:24:04,269 the effort... involved... 1168 01:24:05,520 --> 01:24:10,858 in one of these missions... is such that... 1169 01:24:13,903 --> 01:24:19,158 at the end, we often feel... emotionally drained... 1170 01:24:21,244 --> 01:24:24,956 and we tend to fall back on... 1171 01:24:27,333 --> 01:24:29,168 the comfortable phrases... 1172 01:24:31,754 --> 01:24:36,843 and words like "happy," "proud," "thrilled, " 1173 01:24:38,052 --> 01:24:39,554 and we feel so much more. 1174 01:24:53,484 --> 01:24:59,157 I do want to say... that I know that this has been hard 1175 01:24:59,240 --> 01:25:03,828 for you not being able to have... the doorstep... 1176 01:25:05,371 --> 01:25:11,461 but the privacy that it afforded me was wonderful for me today. 1177 01:25:17,175 --> 01:25:19,552 I think it's thrilling. I stopped everything, and watched it, 1178 01:25:19,636 --> 01:25:22,305 and the baby was watching it, and she wanted to go too. 1179 01:25:22,430 --> 01:25:26,267 She's four years old, and she wanted to go on the trip with the, with the man. 1180 01:25:26,351 --> 01:25:28,978 And when his children and his wife were on, uh, 1181 01:25:30,021 --> 01:25:31,606 I thought it was real exciting. 1182 01:25:32,440 --> 01:25:35,234 I think everybody was more or less sitting on the edge 1183 01:25:35,318 --> 01:25:37,153 of their seats until they did find him. 1184 01:25:37,236 --> 01:25:40,948 I think it's wonderful. I think it's a great thing for this country! 1185 01:25:41,157 --> 01:25:43,451 And believe me, we're never going to be buried. 1186 01:25:55,463 --> 01:25:57,882 LAUNCH STAFF: Roger, Wally, you got anything to say to everyone 1187 01:25:57,965 --> 01:25:59,717 watching you across the country on this thing? 1188 01:25:59,801 --> 01:26:01,052 We're going out live on this. 1189 01:26:02,178 --> 01:26:04,305 SCHIRRA: I'm looking at the United States, 1190 01:26:05,014 --> 01:26:07,684 and starting to pitch up slightly with this drifting rate. 1191 01:26:08,267 --> 01:26:11,270 And I see the Moon, which I'm sure no one in the United States can see 1192 01:26:11,354 --> 01:26:12,772 as well as I right now. 1193 01:26:26,160 --> 01:26:29,789 CRONKITE: This flight's scheduled to be the last of the Mercury Program 1194 01:26:29,872 --> 01:26:32,750 before the Mercury Program ends, and we begin flights 1195 01:26:32,959 --> 01:26:35,420 in our two-man capsule, the Gemini. 1196 01:26:35,545 --> 01:26:39,382 The intermediate step before we go to Apollo, and the step to the Moon. 1197 01:26:43,344 --> 01:26:46,556 REPORTER: America's team of astronauts was increased to 16 today, 1198 01:26:48,099 --> 01:26:51,477 when The Manned Space Center at Houston, Texas named the men today. 1199 01:26:51,644 --> 01:26:55,273 It was specified that they will be trained for trips to the Moon. 1200 01:26:58,943 --> 01:27:00,194 We've had a number of these... 1201 01:27:01,028 --> 01:27:03,865 ceremonies at the White House and at Cape Canaveral to pay tribute 1202 01:27:04,732 --> 01:27:07,118 to a very distinguished group of Americans, who have in, 1203 01:27:07,452 --> 01:27:12,206 our time, in this rather civil society, demonstrated that there are... 1204 01:27:13,040 --> 01:27:15,001 great frontiers still to be crossed. 1205 01:27:15,626 --> 01:27:19,589 And in flying through space, they've carried with them the wishes, the prayers, 1206 01:27:19,714 --> 01:27:23,176 the hopes and the pride of 180 million of their fellow countrymen. 1207 01:27:26,471 --> 01:27:29,974 I hope that, uh, we will be encouraged to continue with this program. 1208 01:27:30,641 --> 01:27:33,060 I know that a good many people say, "Why go to the Moon?" 1209 01:27:33,394 --> 01:27:36,355 Just as many people said to Lindbergh, "Why go to Paris?" 1210 01:27:39,317 --> 01:27:42,445 Lindbergh said, "It's not so much a matter of logic as it is of feeling." 1211 01:27:47,325 --> 01:27:50,328 I think that the United States has committed itself to this great adventure 1212 01:27:50,411 --> 01:27:53,998 in the '60s. I think before the end of the '60s, we will see a man 1213 01:27:54,081 --> 01:27:55,500 on the Moon, an American. 1214 01:27:55,875 --> 01:27:59,045 And I think in so doing, it's not nearly that we're interested in making 1215 01:27:59,128 --> 01:28:02,632 this particular journey, but we are interested in demonstrating 1216 01:28:02,757 --> 01:28:04,967 a dominance of this new sea, 1217 01:28:05,593 --> 01:28:08,763 and making sure that in this new great adventurous period, 1218 01:28:09,263 --> 01:28:13,309 that the Americans are playing their great role as they have in the past. 1219 01:28:14,936 --> 01:28:17,313 (DRAMATIC MUSIC PLAYING) 1220 01:28:33,454 --> 01:28:35,748 (SOFT MUSIC PLAYING)