Learn About NASA's Space Missions in the 1960s Part 1/3

Learn about the space mission of NASA in the 1960s.

Learn About NASA's Space Missions in the 1960 But first, we continue our look at the early 1960’s and the contribution that NASA made to the exploration of space and that incredibly exciting period. In 1963, NASA successfully launches six satellites and the last man Mercury, Earth orbital mission. Two more weather satellites Tara 7 and 8 are place in orbit and they sent a quarter of a million weather information photos to earth and in 1963 NASA reinserts the SICOM 2 communication satellites into an orbit 22,300 miles above the equator of the earth. At that altitude satellites orbit the world at the speed which synchronizes with the rotation of the planet surface. So the satellite is stationary over one location above earth, a broadcasting tower in a GO synchronized orbit. In May 1963, astronaut Gordon Cooper makes a 22-orbit flight around the earth. The spacecraft is Faith 7. The mission is normal until the second day. In the 19th orbit, the 500ths of a G light glows erroneously signaling the start of reentry. Latest scientists find the automatic stabilization in control system is not functioning correctly. Cooper has to aim space craft fire retro rockets and control reentry manually. He fires retro rockets at the precise moment. Faith 7 splashes down within 4 and 410 miles of the awaiting carrier crusade. NASA verifies that man can operate efficiently during 1 ½ days of weightlessness. The Mercury program is a resounding success. In the mean time work continues in preparation for two-man Gemini flights. When tunnel tests are done at the Langley Research Center with the Gemini shape. Scientists evaluate a 152nd scale model in the hypersonic tunnel that marks number 6.8 and 9.6. Objective, to see how stable Gemini will be during reentry into earth’s atmosphere, work is to stability test in 24th free spinning tunnel with the small Gemini spacecraft model. Engineers study motions to see how well the drove parachutes will stabilize the falling capsule before the main chute opens. Work on project Apollo continues as well. Scientists test drop a one-quarter scale model of the common module in calm water to get impact acceleration data. Workers make other drop test of the model Lunar Lander on powdered pumice to simulate the moons surface. Test includes various flight pads and contact velocity at 15 feet per second. Meanwhile astronauts prepare for Luna flights at the men’s spacecraft center scientist developed a computer program to simulate Apollo’s spacecraft control. The computer displays simulates spacecraft motions on the pilot’s instrument’s panel. Using hand controls the pilot responds to slow the modules approach to the Luna surface and to hover and pick the best spot for touchdown. From what the pilot sees on the instrument panel there’s a little difference between simulated flight and real flight. Training continues as all 16 astronauts take part in a 4-day survival cause at the US Caribbean Air Commands Tropical Survival School in Panama. They spend three days and two nights in the jungle learning what they might have to do in case of an emergency tropical landing.