Carpenter was the first astronaut I ever met. His calm demeanor made an impression on me. He also tested an electric "shark repeller," which he reported "agitated sharks in both the on and off conditions." He got into the shark testing because he admitted that they scared him and he wanted to confront his fears directly.
A great tribute. I have a copy of We Seven, a compiled version of the personal stories originally published in Life Magazine that my aunt gave me when I was a boy.
I always thought that astronauts were picked from a pool of jet jockeys. Carpenter started off flying PB4Y-2's and P-2's, multi-engine prop patrol planes. He must have been radiating the Right Stuff to get selected.
Thanks to John Glenn's second spaceflight Scott Carpenter holds a NASA spaceflight record. He is the US Astronaut who actually flew in space that spent the least amount of time in space. (The two suborbital mission astronauts each flew an orbital mission.) Glenn's three orbits were one minute shorter than Carpenter's. But his Shuttle mission blew him well past Carpenter.
Carpenter was busy sightseeing and used up his RCS fuel in the process. He didn't do what the Flight Director told him, and the Flight Directors are - as the title implies - in charge. Not the astronaut. That was reason enough for Carpenter to be grounded. Following orders, procedures and the flight plan is one big reason why we've had so much success in spaceflight.
As for Chris Kraft, he was instrumental in developing the manned spaceflight program. He was the father of the Mission Control Center and was NASA's first Flight Director. Prior to his work in spaceflight, he did important work for NACA as an aerodynamicist. Prior to that during World War II, he tried to join the Navy as an aviation cadet but was medically rejected. So...not physically fit to fly in combat OR space.
Kraft was a very accomplished man, a true 'steely-eyed missile man' if there ever was one and someone who should not be dissed.
I met Scott some years later at a Naval Aviation Museum function in Pensacola FL. He was a great guy and a pleasure to be around.
Right Stuff. full stop.
Carpenter was the first astronaut I ever met. His calm demeanor made an impression on me. He also tested an electric "shark repeller," which he reported "agitated sharks in both the on and off conditions." He got into the shark testing because he admitted that they scared him and he wanted to confront his fears directly.
A great tribute. I have a copy of We Seven, a compiled version of the personal stories originally published in Life Magazine that my aunt gave me when I was a boy.
Loved the "Right Stuff" even if not 100% accurate. But what still gives me chills is the launch scene from Apollo 13. Those guys had big brass ones.
Commander Carpenter was a brave man, as was Mr. Gagarin. They actually boldly went, where no man had gone before.
Well done! Fullbore is always a gem and a great way to round out the work week!
I always thought that astronauts were picked from a pool of jet jockeys. Carpenter started off flying PB4Y-2's and P-2's, multi-engine prop patrol planes. He must have been radiating the Right Stuff to get selected.
Thanks to John Glenn's second spaceflight Scott Carpenter holds a NASA spaceflight record. He is the US Astronaut who actually flew in space that spent the least amount of time in space. (The two suborbital mission astronauts each flew an orbital mission.) Glenn's three orbits were one minute shorter than Carpenter's. But his Shuttle mission blew him well past Carpenter.
Fair winds and Following Seas!
Well remembered in Boulder CO where there is a park named after him.
Well...... I feel inadequate!
Mr. Contrarian here:
Carpenter was busy sightseeing and used up his RCS fuel in the process. He didn't do what the Flight Director told him, and the Flight Directors are - as the title implies - in charge. Not the astronaut. That was reason enough for Carpenter to be grounded. Following orders, procedures and the flight plan is one big reason why we've had so much success in spaceflight.
As for Chris Kraft, he was instrumental in developing the manned spaceflight program. He was the father of the Mission Control Center and was NASA's first Flight Director. Prior to his work in spaceflight, he did important work for NACA as an aerodynamicist. Prior to that during World War II, he tried to join the Navy as an aviation cadet but was medically rejected. So...not physically fit to fly in combat OR space.
Kraft was a very accomplished man, a true 'steely-eyed missile man' if there ever was one and someone who should not be dissed.