Spacemen Still ‘Feeling Fine’

Press, Volume CI, Issue 29901, 15 August 1962, Page 15

Spacemen Still ‘Feeling Fine’

ZF.A.-Reuier—Copyright) MOSCOW, August 14. The Russian spaceman. Major Andrian Nikolayev, today filmed the moon from his spaceship, Vostok 111, as he orbited more than 100 miles above the earth. Pass said this was one of the tasks he and his fellow spaceman, Lieutenant-Colonel Pavel Popovich in Vostok IV, carried out after they woke up, did some physical exercises and had breakfast.

Both spacemen were feeling “fine,” with medical checks showing they were standing up well to flight conditions.

Rumour s were circulating in Moscow this morning that there would be a landing of one of the spacemen today, Reuter said.

By noon Moscow time <9 a m. GMT? Vostok HI had completed 49 orbits and travelled more than 2.000.000 Kilometres < about 1.242.700 miles) Tass said. Vostok IV at the same time had completed 33 circuits and travelled a distance of abou’ 1.400.000 kilometres (about 870.000 miles*. Both spacemen continued their scientific observations according to the set plans They recorded their observations in the spaceship logs, on tape recorders and in regular conversations with the earth. Major Nikolayev observed the moon and filmed it. The two spacemen slept for seven hours, during which time their ships were guided from earth As on previous nights, their pulse and respiration were reported automatically to ca~th They reported to earth that they had slept well, felt fine, and that the temperature, pressure and humidity of the air in their cabins remained normal. Their "group flight.” the news agency said, was continuing according to the pro-g-amme planned for it. But there has not been any official information on when they will land. They maintained steady radio communication with each other yesterday, exchanged technical information. and reported: "The ships are obedient to our will.” Usually well - informed sources in Moscow believed Major Nikolayev's spaceship would be brought down some time today, the British United Press reported It was thought likely that Lieutenant . Colonel Popovich would continue in orbit until he also had completed roughly a three-day trip. Speculation that a threeday space trip was planned for Major Nikolayev was based on the three days spent in space by the in-

formation-gfitbering Cosmos IV satellite last April.

Tass said later that both spacemen were feeling ‘fine.” with medical observations shewing they were stand.ng up excellently to the flight conditions. Their pulse rate remained at between 60 and 65 a minute, and their breathing rale between 10 and 12 times a minu'e. Tne two spaceships had then passed over the South Pole, Tass said. United Press Internationa, said late indications were that the "space brothers" would remain in orbit at least until tomorrow. Informed sources said the two spacemen may be determining their own schedule according to their physical

conditions and reactions to the weightless condition of their capsules. Usually knowledgeable sources indicated there probably had been consultations periodically with" the cosmonauts. and the des'res and abilities of the spacemen themselves counted heavily in the decision on when to return to earth. Presumably the flna] decision on landing is made only shortly before the two orbiting spacemen come into position to be brought down It the usual Soviet landing area, near Smelovska. in the Saratov region, along the Volga river. The sources pointed out that technical factors —such as fuel <rq.pplies. food, oxygen and other lifesucportiing systems in the capsuiesnecessarily enter into the decision on returning to earth. In Moscow there was no confirmation of reports from Cleveland, Ohio, that the two Russian snareships might have been linked up, the British United Press said. The report appeared, according to all information available in Moscow, to be sheer speculation.

The Standard Oil Company research centre at Cleveland said last night it believed the two Russian spaceships had linked up in soace and one of the cosmonauts had transferred to the other capsule. Millions of Russian television viewers saw- Major Nikolayev today as he sped over the Soviet Union, having been in space almost 72 hours. The shadow of bristles on his unshaven face was clearly visible as he looked straight at the camera. He seemed to be talking and as the picture mproved he was seen writing in a log book.