Glenn Optimistic Flight Prospects

Press, Volume CI, Issue 29745, 12 February 1962, Page 11

Glenn Optimistic Flight Prospects

(N.Z. Press Assn.—Copyright) CAPE CANAVERAL (Florida), February 11. The U.S. astronaut, Lieutenant-Colonel John Glenn, was “feeling good, and optimistic about the mission at this time,” Project Mercury officials reported today, according to the Associated Press.

If all goes well, Colonel Glenn, aged 40, will climb into his space capsule perched atop an Atlas rocket on Wednesday morning and be launched into a triple earth orbit at about 7.30 a.m.

Yesterday, Colonel Glenn donned his silvery space suit and manoeuvred himself into the tight-fitting capsule for a detailed check of ’ the life support system. Cloudy Skies

With clouds overhead yesterday after rain, meteorologists were unwilling to predict yet if conditions were likely to be acceptable to those responsible for putting

the first American into orbit, Reuter said. Colonel Glenn and his reserve pilot. Commander Malcolm Scott Carpenter, were back in their special quarters and continuing their training today, taking simulated flights in a groundbased capsule and undergoing regular physical examinations and reviewing the flight plan, Reuter said. Today Colonel Glenn resumes his special diet.

Tlie Atlas missile which will send the astronaut on his lonely journey is on the launching pad The tracking network and recovery forces throughout the world

are poised for the day.

If the triple orbit is accomplished. Colonel Glenn will be hurtled around the globe for four hour* and 50 minutes at a speed at 174500 miles an hour. Then braking rocket* will slow down the space craft to enable it to make a parachute landing In the Atlantic Ocean about 700 miles from here.

But United Press International said that reports, some from high-level source*, persisted that the manned orbital flight, already postponed seven times in the h«t two months, may yet slip “another day or so ” “Right now." said one source, “we seem to be in good shape But you nevecan tell. There’s an awful lot before us. . . ." Soviet Training Tn Moscow, a Soviet instructor wrote in an artirte published today that the Principle* on which R u <s a framed its astronauts was diametrically opposed to those of the United State*, which made them similar to machines.

Writing in the Soviet ?. 7 Z ne , d _ f° rcM newspaper, Red Star,” and auoted bv Tass news agency. Colonel E. Petrov said the Soviet programme was based on the active, conscious attitude of future cosmonauts to their work.

"Spacemen candidate* can be chosen for new assignments only If thev volunteer for them,” he said.

“The Americans are stresvng the mechanics!, almost unconscious training of future cosmonauts couo'ed with an unwarrantedly heavy physical load, making people similar to machine.*” According to an American osvcholo-ist. money and travel attracted the cosmonauts. but “none of the Soviet cosmonaut* knew w/iat his wage* would be,” Colonel Petrov said.