Exploring the Unknown: Selected Documents in ... - The Black Vault

128
First Steps into Space: Projects Mercury and Gemini
Even though NASA Administrator T. Keith Glennan had announced on 17
December that the program would be called “Project Mercury,” this document still uses the
name preferred by the Space Task Group, “Project Astronaut.”
NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION
Washington 25, D.C.
NASA Project A
Announcement No. 1
December 22, 1958
Invitation to apply for Position of
RESEARCH ASTRONAUT-CANDIDATE
with minimum starting salary range of $8, 330
to $12, 770 (GS-12 to GS-15) depending
upon qualifications
at the NASA Langley Research Center
Langley Field, Virginia
I. DESCRIPTION OF PROJECT ASTRONAUT
The Manned Satellite Project is being managed and directed by NASA.
The objectives of the project are to achieve, at the earliest practicable date, orbital
flight and successful recovery of a manned satellite; and to investigate the capabilities
of man in a space environment. To accomplish these objectives, a re-entry
vehicle of the ballistic type has been selected. This vehicle not only represents
the simplest and most reliable configuration, but has the additional advantage of
being sufficiently light, so that it can be fitted on an essentially unmodified ICBM
booster. The satellite will have the capability of remaining in orbit for 24 hours,
although early flights are planned for only one or two orbits around the earth.
Although the entire satellite operation will be possible, in the early phases,
without the presence of man, the astronaut will play an important role during the
flight. He will contribute to the reliability of the system by monitoring the cabin
environment, and by making necessary adjustments. He will have continuous displays
of his position and attitude and other instrument readings, and will have
the capability of operating the reaction controls, and of initiating the descent
from orbit. He will contribute to the operation of the communications system.
In addition, the astronaut will make research observations that cannot be made
by instruments; these include physiological, astronomical, and meteorological
observations.
Orbital flight will be accomplished after a logical buildup of capabilities.
For example, full-scale capsules will be flown on short and medium range ballistic
flights, before orbital flights will be attempted. Maximum effort will be placed on
the design and development of a reliable safety system. The manned phases of the
flight will also undergo a gradual increase in scope, just as is common practice in
the development of a new research aircraft. [2]