Fifty years on...

Growler · 05-05-11, 10:24 AM

Despite budget setbacks, the losses of Apollo 1, Challenger, and Columbia, and withering public support, NASA continues to pursue manned space flight.

Fifty years ago today, 5 May, 1961, American Navy Pilot Alan Shepard strapped a Redstone rocket to his back and made his short jaunt some 115 miles or so into near-Earth orbit, going downrange some ~300 miles over the course of his ~15 minutes flight. In so doing, he opened the fledgling space agency's Manned Spaceflight program.

Bravo Zulu, Admiral Shepard; Rest in Peace, we remember.

FIREWALL · 05-05-11, 10:34 AM

Lionclaw · 05-05-11, 11:31 AM

August · 05-05-11, 11:47 AM

I think i'll watch "From the Earth to the Moon" tonight.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/From_th..._miniseries%29

Gerald · 05-05-11, 11:57 AM

Yes we remember,

Platapus · 05-05-11, 06:58 PM

Time for one of Platapus' almost interesting space trivia questions!

Who was the first person to go in to space twice?

Think carefully. (muhahaha)

August · 05-05-11, 07:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Platapus

Time for one of Platapus' almost interesting space trivia questions!

Who was the first person to go in to space twice?

Think carefully. (muhahaha)

Virgil Grissom?

Torplexed · 05-05-11, 07:21 PM

"Light this candle!"

Jimbuna · 05-05-11, 07:33 PM

~SALUTE~

Jimbuna · 05-05-11, 07:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by August

Virgil Grissom?

Rgr that:

Virgil Gus Grissom (1926-1967) first flew into space in July 1961, on the second suborbital Mercury mission. It was officially called Mercury-Redstone 4, but the spacecraft was more popularly known as Liberty Bell 7. In March 1965, he piloted the first manned flight for the Gemini program, Gemini 3 (nicknamed the Molly Brown), and orbited Earth three times with co-pilot John Young (1930-). Grissom thus became the first man to fly into space twice.

Platapus · 05-05-11, 09:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by August

Virgil Grissom?

Quote:

Originally Posted by jimbuna

Rgr that:

Virgil Gus Grissom (1926-1967) first flew into space in July 1961, on the second suborbital Mercury mission. It was officially called Mercury-Redstone 4, but the spacecraft was more popularly known as Liberty Bell 7. In March 1965, he piloted the first manned flight for the Gemini program, Gemini 3 (nicknamed the Molly Brown), and orbited Earth three times with co-pilot John Young (1930-). Grissom thus became the first man to fly into space twice.

Nope

Joseph Albert Walker

X-15 pilot

19 July 63 reached an altitude of 106km
22 Aug 63 reached an altitude of 108 km

Under Air Force rules any flight above 80.5 km qualifies the pilot for Astronaut wings and the Fédération Aéronautique Internationale (FAI) defines space travel as an altitude exceeding 100km aka the Karman line.

Torplexed · 05-05-11, 09:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by August

I think i'll watch "From the Earth to the Moon" tonight.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/From_th..._miniseries%29

I'm thinking more The Right Stuff myself.

Although it was believed that the movie would boost John Glenn's 1984 presidential bid, it made everybody want to vote for Chuck Yeager instead.

August · 05-05-11, 09:45 PM

Well every now and then I learn something worth remembering on this forum. Thanks Platapus!

Platapus · 05-05-11, 10:10 PM

Here is another brain teaser

Who was the last American to orbit the earth as the only occupant of the spacecraft (solo)?

Think carefully

Torplexed · 05-05-11, 10:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Platapus

Here is another brain teaser

Who was the last American to orbit the earth as the only occupant of the spacecraft (solo)?

Think carefully

Guess I'll be the sacrificial lamb and go with the usual choice of Gordon Cooper.

05-05-11, 10:24 AM	#1
Growler A long way from the sea Join Date: May 2005 Location: Iowa Posts: 1,913 Downloads: 21 Uploads: 0	Fifty years on... Despite budget setbacks, the losses of Apollo 1, Challenger, and Columbia, and withering public support, NASA continues to pursue manned space flight. Fifty years ago today, 5 May, 1961, American Navy Pilot Alan Shepard strapped a Redstone rocket to his back and made his short jaunt some 115 miles or so into near-Earth orbit, going downrange some ~300 miles over the course of his ~15 minutes flight. In so doing, he opened the fledgling space agency's Manned Spaceflight program. Bravo Zulu, Admiral Shepard; Rest in Peace, we remember. __________________ At Fiddler’s Green, where seamen true When here they’ve done their duty The bowl of grog shall still renew And pledge to love and beauty.

05-05-11, 10:34 AM	#2
FIREWALL Eternal Patrol Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: CATALINA IS. SO . CAL USA Posts: 10,108 Downloads: 511 Uploads: 0	__________________ RIP FIREWALL I Play GWX. Silent Hunter Who ???

05-05-11, 11:47 AM	#4
August Wayfaring Stranger Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Massachusetts Posts: 23,197 Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	I think i'll watch "From the Earth to the Moon" tonight. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/From_th..._miniseries%29 __________________ Flanked by life and the funeral pyre. Putting on a show for you to see.

05-05-11, 11:57 AM	#5
Gerald SUBSIM Newsman Join Date: May 2008 Location: Close to sea Posts: 24,254 Downloads: 553 Uploads: 0	Yes we remember, __________________ Nothing in life is to be feard,it is only to be understood. Marie Curie

05-05-11, 06:58 PM	#6
Platapus Fleet Admiral Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 19,361 Downloads: 63 Uploads: 0	Time for one of Platapus' almost interesting space trivia questions! Who was the first person to go in to space twice? Think carefully. (muhahaha) __________________ abusus non tollit usum - A right should NOT be withheld from people on the basis that some tend to abuse that right.

05-05-11, 11:31 AM	#3
Lionclaw Ace of the Deep Join Date: Dec 2003 Posts: 1,006 Downloads: 5 Uploads: 0

05-05-11, 07:21 PM	#8
Torplexed Let's Sink Sumptin' ! Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Seattle, WA Posts: 5,823 Downloads: 43 Uploads: 0	"Light this candle!"

05-05-11, 07:33 PM	#9
Jimbuna Chief of the Boat Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: 250 metres below the surface Posts: 190,473 Downloads: 63 Uploads: 13	~SALUTE~ __________________ Wise men speak because they have something to say; Fools because they have to say something. Oh my God, not again!!

05-05-11, 09:45 PM	#13
August Wayfaring Stranger Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Massachusetts Posts: 23,197 Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	Well every now and then I learn something worth remembering on this forum. Thanks Platapus! __________________ Flanked by life and the funeral pyre. Putting on a show for you to see.

05-05-11, 10:10 PM	#14
Platapus Fleet Admiral Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 19,361 Downloads: 63 Uploads: 0	Here is another brain teaser Who was the last American to orbit the earth as the only occupant of the spacecraft (solo)? Think carefully __________________ abusus non tollit usum - A right should NOT be withheld from people on the basis that some tend to abuse that right.