GREEN LIGHT GIVEN

Press, Volume CIV, Issue 30936, 17 December 1965, Page 17

GREEN LIGHT GIVEN

(N.Z. Press Assn.—Copyright/ PERTH, Dec. 16. A tired but jubilant Carnarvon tracking station crew tumbled into beds early today after learning that all was going well with the first space rendezvous. They had played a vital role in the launching of

Gemini VI and guiding it on its way to meet with Gemini VII. Carnarvon gave the green light to Cape Kennedy to launch Gemini VI after they had checked all systems in Gemini VII and found them in good order.

At that time an air of excitement hung over the station and it could also be sensed by the ground crew in the voice of Frank Borman. He and James Lovell had been in space almost 11 days of their planned two weeks. Tiredness Gone For the first time in many, days, with the tiredness seemingly gone from his voice, Borman asked how the weather was in Australia. He chatted with the Carnarvon station and when told that all was going well for the planned rendezvous he said: "It's been a long wait”

Everyone found time to smile when a message saying: “Flying control advised that they confirm all dust covers removed,” was relayed to the astronauts. It referred to the plastic dust cover that had been left in the Gemini VI Titan launch vehicle. Made Decision

As the two spacecrafts pissed over the west Australian coast early today, the Carnarvon tracking crew worked at top speed checking on the spacecraft and astro-

nauts and deciding if the mission should continue. They gave the go-ahead signal and ordered Gemini VI to fire its thrusters to achieve the rendezvous, and also warned Gemini VII pot to use any of its low fuel supply.