REPAIRS IN ORBIT

Press, Volume CII, Issue 30115, 26 April 1963, Page 20

REPAIRS IN ORBIT

Astronaut To Climb Out (N.Z. Press Assn.—Copyright) DALLAS (Texas), April 23. An American astronaut on a Gemini two-man space flight will climb out of his capsule and experiment with a repair kit while soaring 100 miles above the earth, the Associated Press reported. The Gemini space flight programme is due to begin next year. Two top officials of the project, Mr James Chamberlain and Mr James Rose, said yesterday that on one of the flights the capsule would be depressurised and the hatch would be opened. One of the astronauts would get out, attached to a rope-like line, to find out if it was possible to make repairs to a spacecraft while in flight. Plans for the astronaut, Major Gordon Cooper to make one of the first experiments in depressurisation during his scheduled 22-orbit space flight next month have been cancelled. United Press International reported. He was to depressurise his cabin to see how well man could survive in space protected only by his space suit. But the director of the manned spacecraft centre. Dr. Robert Gilruth, said yesterday Major , Cooper had too many other duties to perform.

Life Member.— The Hard of Hearing League conference in Gisborne conferred life membership on Dr. J. C. Macdonald, of Invercargill, president of the Southland branch, for long services to the league. The next conference will be held in Ashburton.— (P.A.)