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

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First Steps into Space: Projects Mercury and Gemini
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that the identity of the three men can be kept secure from the press. The
first pilot and his alternate will not be selected until approximately one
week before the launch date of the first manned Redstone. The identity
of the two-man flight crew for this flight would thus not be available for
announcement to either the Astronauts or the press until approximately
a week before the flight. The assignments for the first two manned
Redstone flights might be as follows:
Astronauts
First manned Redstone 1,3
Second manned Redstone 2,3
4. An astronaut Flight Readiness Board consisting of five men will be
established with Robert Gilruth serving as chairman. Individuals on
this board will evaluate the following pertinent areas of Astronaut
performance.
A. Medical
a. General health
b. Reaction to physical stress
c. Weight control
B. Technical
a. Proficiency on capsule attitude control simulators
b. Knowledge of capsule systems
c. Knowledge of mission procedures
d. Ability to contribute to vehicle design and flight
procedures
e. General aircraft flight experience
f. Engineering and scientific background
g. Ability to observe and report flight results
C. Psychological
a. Maturity
b. Motivation
c. Ability to work with others
d. Ability to represent Project Mercury to public
e. Performance under stress
Expert witnesses in the various areas will be called before the Board.
Based on evaluations by the Board, the actual selection of the three men and of
the final two-man flight crew will be made by the Director of Project Mercury.
5. The Astronauts themselves will be asked to submit to the Board chairman
their recommendations for the three best-qualified pilots, excluding
themselves. This input will be known by the chairman only and will be
used as an additional factor in the selection.
6. The Flight Readiness Board will meet either during the week of December 26
or January 2.