Wally Schirra

Quick Thinking Demonstrated Value of the Human Element

By Bob Granath | July 1, 2024

In late 1966, the final Gemini mission was launched into the skies over Cape Kennedy Air Force Station. At Mission Control in Houston, Dr. Chris Kraft, NASA’s director of Flight Operations, turned to Dr. Robert Gilruth, director of the agency’s Manned Spacecraft Center, and said, “Thank God we never had to use those ejection seats.” But, if not for a test pilot’s quick thinking, two astronauts would have during an attempt to launch a Gemini mission a year earlier.

Pioneering Mercury Astronauts Launched America’s Future

By Bob Granath | April 9, 2024

From ancient astronomers to fantasy authors to modern-day scientists, visionaries dreamed for centuries about travel beyond Earth into outer space. On a spring day in 1959, America’s fledgling space agency introduced seven military test pilots who would turn the stuff of science fiction into the “right stuff,” launching the nation into the future.

Cooper’s Mission Helped Prove ‘Man has a Place in Space’

By Bob Granath | May 15, 2023

Between May 15 and 16, 1963, 60 years ago, NASA astronaut Gordon Cooper flew the longest American human spaceflight to date. The goal of Project Mercury was to determine if people could survive the rigors of riding a rocket to orbit around the Earth and, once there, perform useful work. Cooper not only demonstrated humans could, he demonstrated his expert piloting skills by performing a pinpoint landing after many of the spacecraft systems failed.

Women Supporting Early Space Efforts Traveled a Difficult Road

By Bob Granath | March 21, 2023

When NASA’s Kennedy Space Center became operational in the summer of 1962, very few woman held jobs beyond secretarial or housekeeping positions. Today, they serve in leadership posts, engineering jobs and other key roles alongside their male counterparts. Retired spaceport engineer and NASA astronaut Nicole Stott spoke to employees at the Florida spaceport inspiring women to take full advantages of opportunities now offered.

Schirra Proved Astronauts Can Successfully Control a Spacecraft

By Bob Granath | October 18, 2022

“I’m having a ball up here drifting,” said NASA astronaut Wally Schirra as he orbited the Earth six times during the Mercury-Atlas 8, the agency’s fifth manned space flight — 60 years ago. He proved that if the pilot was allowed to take control of the flight, he could conserve fuel and solve problems as they arise.

Artist’s Talent Broke into the All-Male World of Pad Operations

By Bob Granath | June 22, 2022

In early 1962, preparations were underway for John Glenn’s historic flight as the first American to orbit the Earth. He named his Mercury spacecraft “Friendship 7,” and he wanted the illustrator who created the design for the logo to paint it on his capsule. In doing so, artist Cecelia Bibby stepped into what was otherwise an all-male domain.

Quintessential American Hero Takes America to Earth Orbit

By Bob Granath | February 17, 2022

“Liftoff, the clock is operating. We’re underway,” NASA astronaut John Glenn announced as he launched to as the first American to orbit the Earth. His spacecraft’s onboard mission elapsed time clock began counting his minutes in flight as he was boosted from Florida’s East Coast on Feb. 20, 1962 – 60 years ago. After his three-orbit mission, the U.S. Marine Corps colonel returned to Earth as the quintessential American hero.

The Wrong Stuff – Again!

By Bob Granath | October 13, 2021

A year ago on Oct. 9, 2020, Disney+ launched a TV series re-boot of the motion picture The Right Stuff. In the revised version, the historic facts were, by in large, presented accurately. However, the personal lives of the Original 7 Mercury astronauts were depicted like the fictitious characters of a soap opera. After eight episodes, the streaming network mercifully pushed the “abort button” and cancelled the series.

Grissom’s Mission Demonstrated Spaceflight is a Perilous Endeavor

By Bob Granath | July 14, 2021

In the summer of 1961, NASA was ready to launch its second piloted spaceflight. It was the next step in Project Mercury’s program to study human capabilities during space travel. Two months earlier, Alan Shepard’s textbook sub-orbital mission made it look easy. But, the splashdown and recovery of the encore flight dramatically demonstrated it is a perilous endeavor requiring attention to detail and extensive preflight training.

Daring Gemini Missions Achieved Crucial Spaceflight Milestones

By Bob Granath | December 4, 2020

The flights of two piloted spacecraft during December 1965 were major strides forward in advancing NASA’s capabilities in human spaceflight. While Gemini VII orbited the Earth for two weeks, Gemini VI was launched, completing the first-ever rendezvous between two spacecraft in orbit. This marked the point in which the United States clearly pulled ahead in the space race with the Soviet Union.

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