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

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First Steps into Space: Projects Mercury and Gemini
more effective than a few words in a foreign language which, in the long
run, might appear contrived.
3. Mr. Marvin Robinson of Mr. Lloyd’s office is preparing a set of very short
statements which might be made over each of the range stations. These
statements are designed to strengthen the position of the nation in
the use of these facilities. These statements will be forwarded through
channels and can be considered by the Astronauts for use during the
flight. The best use of such statements might be to have the Astronaut
extract the general meaning, but to make the statement in his own
words and in his own way at the proper time.
4. In summary, it appears desirable for the Astronaut
a. To learn to recognize the political boundaries of the countries over
which he passes in terms of the geographical features which will be
visible to him from orbit, and
b. To take any time available to him during the flight to describe his view
of the earth and his personal feelings in simple, direct, terms.
Dr. Robert B. Voas
Training Officer
RBV.ncl
Document I-42
Document Title: Telegram, NASA—Manned Spacecraft Center, Port Canaveral,
Florida, to James A. Webb and others, NASA, Washington, DC, “MA-6 Postlaunch
Memorandum,” 21 February 1962.
Source: Source: Folder 18674, NASA Historical Reference Collection, NASA
History Division, NASA Headquarters, Washington, DC.
The Mercury Atlas 6 flight carrying John Glenn was the first astronaut-carrying orbital
flight of the Mercury spacecraft and thus a milestone for the American space program. Despite
the dramatic achievement of Glenn’s flight, the engineers conducting the program were
primarily interested in evaluating the performance of the vehicle and using that information
for upcoming flights. This is an initial telegram from the launch site to NASA Administrator
James Webb immediately after the launch reported on the performance of the Atlas launch
vehicle and Mercury spacecraft.
[Handwritten note: “MA-6 Postlaunch Memo”] [DECLASSIFIED]