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

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First Steps into Space: Projects Mercury and Gemini
WRIGHT AIR DEVELOPMENT CENTER
AIR RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT COMMAND
UNITED STATES AIR FORCE
WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE, OHIO
INTRODUCTION
C. L. Wilson, Capt., USAF, MC
The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), a U.S.
Government civilian agency, has been assigned the task of exploring the feasibility
of space travel. As a result of thorough and exhaustive study, NASA has concluded
that certain aspects of space travel are feasible and, furthermore, that some will
be practicable in the very near future. One profile of space travel envisions that a
human pilot, transported in a life support system (capsule), could be thrust into
orbit by a liquid fuel rocket, maintained there for several revolutions around the
earth, and successfully and safely recovered from orbit. Project Mercury intends
to realize this vision.
Among the many strategic questions to be answered is: “Who will the
pilot be?” This report describes how and why the Aerospace Medical Laboratory
participated in the selection of the seven Mercury Astronauts.
HISTORY
The Human Factors Division of the Air Research and Development
Command (ARDC) has been keenly aware of the need for clarification of the
parameters of human endurance, safety, and com fort during periods of unusual
stress. In 1952 Brig.Gen. Don Flickinger, USAF, MC, began directing biomedical
research toward the development of tests to assist in selecting pilots for special
research projects. Under his guidance Capt. T. F. McGuire, USAF, MC, of the
Aerospace Medical Labora tory, employed a series of physiological, psychological,
and biochemical tests which were incorpo rated into a stress-test program. Dr.
McGuire’s experience extended over a 4-year period, during which time he tested
several special groups. These included USAF pilots and young volunteers from
the University of Dayton. In his final months at the Aerospace Medical Laboratory
he stress-tested 12 USN underwater demolition men (frogmen) kindly loaned
by the Underwater Demolition Unit 11, Little Creels, Virginia. The results of
his research are presented in Stress Tolerance Studies, Part I, and Tolerance to
Physical Stress, Part II. Part III is being completed and will contain a supportive
bibliography. Dr. McGuire rightfully should receive credit for his work in this
field and development of early prototype crew selection profiles. Several new tests
have been made available since then and are discussed later.
Captain F. J. Leary, USAF, MC, of the Aerospace Medical Laboratory also
gained considerable experience in candidate evaluation. His research brought
about modification of the cold pressor test to its present form. Previous testing
utilized the immersion of one foot, then both feet. He also studied the reproducibility
of physiological response on the same subject when tested on different