Gemini Astronauts Returning To Earth

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31166, 16 September 1966, Page 13

Gemini Astronauts Returning To Earth

(N.Z.P.A. Reuter—Copyright) CAPE KENNEDY, Sept. 15. The Gemini XI astronauts, Pete Conrad and Richard Gordon, will return to earth today after three days of space successes topped by man’s highest flight.

They expect to splash down in the Atlantic in good weather 721 miles from Cape Kennedy. For the first time in the Gemini series flight controllers will trust the dangerous return from space to an onboard computer—but the astronauts can take over immediately in a crisis. The flight included an “utterly fantastic” panoramic view of the earth reported by the astronauts from 850 miles and their pinpoint glimpse of the Russian satellite, Proton 111. The astronauts set the new altitude record yesterday, boosted by their powerful Agena docking partner. Conrad shouted to the Australian tracking station: “It’s utterly fantastic. I’ve got India at the left window, Borneo under our nose, and you’re at the right window.” Eight hours later he had to fight for control of the space-

i craft at the end of an unruly [ tether looping to the Agena , 100 feet away. He stabilised the two spacecraft with a slight spin to i create artificial gravity, which ■ kept them apart until he freed ; the Gemini. The astronauts yesterday : also set a new record for total ■ direct exposure to space during a single flight, when Gordon completed a 128- : minute stand poking his head and shoulders from Gemini to i photograph constellations in ' the southern skies. The astronauts managed their fuel so skilfully that for the first time planners considered adding an additional tas.’; to the basic mission. This would be another rendezvous with the Agena, attempting a still untried approach technique. But with Gemini’s radar out of action, and barely enough

fuel to rendezvous without it, the attempt remained in doubt.