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

Exploring the Unknown 293
Risk is involved in all manned space missions and consequently we must
achieve maximum significant return from each flight, assuming that additional
flight operations do not unduly reduce the chance of achieving our primary goals.
Conclusion
The hardware for extra vehicular activity is flight qualified and the
astronauts are trained for this operation. Since extra vehicular activity is a primary
goal for the Gemini program, it is recommended that this activity should be
included in Gemini IV. The flight plan is being carefully planned toward this end
and if a decision is reached to proceed a thorough review will be made of the
public information releases in order to provide a full understanding
[2] of the care exercised in preparation for this mission and the safeguards
available to the astronauts.
[signed]
Robert C. Seamans, Jr.
MEMORANDUM FOR THE RECORD
Document I-65
SUBJECT: Top Management Meeting on Gemini 4 Extra-Vehicular Activity
On May 24, Mr. Webb, Dr. Dryden and Dr. Seamans met with Dr. Mueller and
Dr. Gilruth in connection with extra-vehicular activities on the Gemini 4 flight
scheduled to take place on June 3.
Concern was expressed about changing the pattern of the flight. Making changes
at the last minute always injected the possibility of some thing being overlooked
and not properly considered. Also, if the Gemini 4 flight had to be cut short
for any reason, opening the hatch would be blamed. Extra-vehicular activity in
Gemini 4 was too obvious a reaction to the Soviet spectacular in this regard.
On the other hand, it was pointed out that suit development to permit extra-vehicular
activity was part of the Gemini 4 program all along. Extra-vehicular activity had
been originally planned for Gemini 4. One of the basic objectives of extra-vehicular
activity was to be able to evaluate the possible utilization of man in space to carry
out experiments, repair and adjust scientific satellites, and anything else that would
require man to be outside of the spacecraft. The large antenna program was noted
as one experiment which would require extra-vehicular activities by man.
It was then stated that there was no questioning of the propriety of having extravehicular
activity in the Gemini program, but what was being questioned was it
being performed on the second manned flight in the program. Since it was not
essential to the basic mission of the Gemini 4 flight, which was to check out the
reliability of the spacecraft and its systems for a 4-day period, our space posture
might suffer if the 4-day period did not materialize.