Sep 03

Space Rocket History #128 – Apollo Mission Control: Christopher Columbus Kraft – Part 2

At the beginning of the Apollo program, Kraft retired as a flight director to concentrate on management and mission planning. In 1972, he became director of the Manned Spacecraft Center, following the path of his mentor Robert Gilruth.

Kraft in Mission Control for Gemini 5

Kraft in Mission Control for Gemini 5

Ad. Abhau, Robert Thompson, and Kraft

Ad. Abhau, Robert Thompson, and Kraft

Kraft with his new flight Directors

Kraft with his new flight Directors

May 08

Space Rocket History #62 – Gemini IV with James McDivitt and Edward White – The Duration – Part 3

On orbit 48, after 75 hours of flight a problem arose. During a pass over the continental US the flight computer was updated. McDivitt was told to switch off the computer. He flipped the switch but the computer did not turn off. On the ground at mission control, efforts to solve the problem began immediately. For the next few orbits, the crew received instructions for trying different switch positions, after all the switching the computer finally failed entirely and could not be turned back on. Now the astronauts would have to resort to a rolling Mercury-type reentry, rather than the lifting bank angle the computer was supposed to help them achieve…

Space Food

Space Food

Water Gun, Scissors

Water Gun, Scissors

After Splashdown

After Splashdown

Boarding the Wasp

Boarding the Wasp

G4 On Display

G4 On Display

Mission Button

Mission Button

Dec 19

Space Rocket History #43 – Ranger-7, Nimbus-1, European Space Organizations, and Christmas From the Moon

You may recall from episode 32 Ranger- 4 was the first  U.S. spacecraft to reach another celestial body. However, Ranger-4 failed it primary mission of returning pictures from the moon…

The Moon From Ranger-7

The Moon From Ranger-7

The Moon From Ranger-7

The Moon From Ranger-7

Ranger-7

Ranger-7  Block III Design

Nimbus-1

Nimbus-1

Lucky Peanuts

Lucky Peanuts By Dave

 

ERSO Logo

ERSO Logo