Timetable Of Flight

Press, Volume C, Issue 29503, 3 May 1961, Page 15

Timetable Of Flight

IN Z.P.A.-Reuter—Copyright) CAPE CANAVERAL. May 2. The following is the timetable of events if the launching of the first United States astronaut today is successful:

Thirty seconds after liftoff. and in every subsequent 30 seconds of powered flight, the astronaut will report on the fuel supply, the amount of “G” force he is experiencing. cabin pressure and the angle of the craft Two minutes 15 seconds after take-off he will announce “standing bv for cutoff" The Redstone rocket's engines will then cut off. When three small rockets fire, the capsule will separate from the Redstone and the astronaut will see the curvature of the earth at peak altitude Three minutes from launching with the capsule travelling at 4500 miles an hour, the astronaut will work manual controls and report the capsule’s reactions. This will provide a test of his ability to act while weightlessness.

He will continue working various controls and reporting his actions until the capsule assumes a re-entry altitude six minutes and a half after take-off. The force of gravity will push the spaceman deep into his couch as the capsule descends Use parachute system will begin to operate as the astronaut describes the descent. Fifteen minutes after takeoff he will land in the sea.