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

148
First Steps into Space: Projects Mercury and Gemini
I am writing this letter in full knowledge that I am poking my nose into
something that’s none of my business. But I am convinced that projecting a man
two hundred miles down-range simply requires the ultimate in teamwork. This
team composed of NASA, McDonnell, and ABMA must operate flawlessly to drive
on to a touchdown; for this time, there is human life at stake.
It has come to my attention that one of our ball carriers has his shoelaces
untied and doesn’t know it. If he trips and falls we may all lose the game and our
astronaut his life. So I feel that I must pass along to you what has been brought to
my attention, at the risk of making a few people sore.
On a recent trip to McDonnell Aircraft Corporation, ABMA personnel
were permitted to tour the facilities used to fabricate electrical cable harnesses.
They discovered to their great consternation that in MAC’s electrical shops procedures
long since discarded by ABMA as being inadequate and dangerous are still
in practice.
Samples:
-Soldering irons of excessive wattage are being used to make
joints in pygmy connectors. (Reason: The shop is not air-conditioned;
large cooling fans prohibit the use of correct, smaller
soldering irons.)
-Poor connections are being hidden by potting compound (making
inspection impossible).
It has been our experience that conventional methods of soldering for
aircraft are simply not acceptable in the missile [2] field where any and all component
[failures] usually result in an aborted mission. In MERCURY the life of
an astronaut and the success of the entire project could be jeopardized by one
bad solder connection.
I don’t want to blame anyone in particular at MAC. I don’t even know
who is responsible for this electrical shop. But I should like to suggest that you
have someone from Langley look into this. While we would prefer to leave it up
to you to take any further actions that you may deem advisable we are at your disposal
if we can be of any further help.
Sincerely yours,
[Signed]
WERNHER VON BRAUN
Director
Development Operations Division
Copies furnished:
AB-DSRM (Record)
AB-D (Info)