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

200
First Steps into Space: Projects Mercury and Gemini
because we were still on the ASCS when the .05g relay latched in. As a
result, the roll 12 started on schedule. . . .” END OF RECORD.
24. (There is a portion of Astronaut Shepard’s report missing from
the tape recording at this part of the flight. During a later debriefing
at GBI the next day, Shepard described this portion of the flight
essentially as follows:)
25. The acceleration pulse during reentry was about as expected and as
was experienced on the Centrifuge during training, except that in flight
the environment was smoother. During the early part of g-build-up,
Shepard switched to manual-proportional control on all axes. He allowed
the roll put in by the ASCS to continue. He controlled the oscillations
somewhat in pitch and yaw during g-build-up only. The oscillations
during and after the g-pulse were mild and not uncomfortable. He
arrived at 40,000 feet sooner than he expected and at that time switched
to ASCS in all axes in order to give full attention to observing drogue
chute deployment. The drogue came out at the intended altitude and
was clearly visible through the periscope. The capsule motions when
on the drogue chute were not uncomfortable. The snorkel opened at
15,000 feet which Shepard thought was late. The main chute came out
at the intended altitude.
Astronaut Shepard’s recording made on the carrier continues:
26. “As to the chute, I was delighted to see it. I had pushed all hand
controllers in so that I noticed that all the peroxide had dumped on
schedule. At this point I shifted to the R/T position of the UHF-DF switch.
The UHF-select was still normal, and I think at this point I reached over
and flipped off the VOX relay switch which was obviously, I realized after
I had done a superfluous maneuver because the transmitters were keyed
anyway. I was a little confused here, I guess. I felt that the carrier 13 was
coming in and out for some reason, so I went over there and threw that
VOX power switch off. [Page A26-29] In any event, after going to the
R/T positions, shortly thereafter, I established contact with the Indian
Ocean Ship 14 and gave them the report of the parachute being good, the
rate-of-decent indicator being at about 35 ft/sec and everything looked
real good. The peroxide was dumped, the landing bag was green, and, of
course the ‘Rescue Aids’ switch was off at that point. They relayed back
shortly after that, as I recall.
27. “CARDFILE 23, the relay airplane, came in first of all with a direct shot
and then with a relay, so that I was able to get the word to the Cape prior
to other sources that I was indeed in good shape up to this point. The
opening shock of the parachute was not uncomfortable. My colleagues
will recognize it was a reassuring kick in the butt. I think I made the hand
12. Programmed reentry roll rate of 10 to 12 degrees per second.
13. The hum of the carrier frequency.
14. This ship was being exercised for the MR-3 mission and had been positioned in the landing area.