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

298
First Steps into Space: Projects Mercury and Gemini
crew indicates a growing capacity to make changes in plans while operations are
being conducted and, therefore, realize the most from each flight.
[2]
The excellent condition of the crew throughout the entire mission,
including their recovery at sea, indicates the effectiveness of the working
environment and life support system of the spacecraft. The crew was quite active
and this apparently helped keep them in good condition. Medical monitoring
during the flight and post-flight examination revealed no requirement for a
period of rehabilitation or “decompression.”
This second flight of the Gemini spacecraft indicates its excellent handling
characteristics and provides strong assurance that more extended missions can be
now undertaken. The computer which failed was not critical to the mission and
the minor mechanical difficulties encountered were not serious.
It is significant that the first operational flight of Gemini, GT-4, has
provided significant experience in each of the major mission areas of Gemini: long
duration flight, rendezvous and docking, extra vehicular activity, and the conduct
of experiments. The success of the GT-3 and GT-4 missions has proven the design
and confirmed the results of the ground tests, has increased our confidence in
the reliability of the overall Gemini systems, and has enabled NASA to advance
the Gemini Program such that rendezvous and docking are now scheduled during
the Calendar Year 1965.
James E. Webb
Document I-67
Document Title: NASA Program Gemini Working Paper No. 5038, “GT-4 Flight
Crew Debriefing Transcript,” No date, but soon after the June 1965 Gemini IV
mission.
Source: NASA Collection, University of Houston, Clear Lake Library, Clear
Lake, Texas.
The first multi-day mission of the Gemini program took place during the flight of Gemini
IV, 3 to 7 June 1965. Since this was the first of the Gemini program’s longer missions, it
created a new set of challenges both for the astronauts and those in Mission Control. For
example, Mission Control divided into a three-shift operation with flight directors for each
shift. Chris Kraft acted as both Mission Director for the entire flight and Flight Director for
the first shift, while Gene Kranz took charge of the second shift and John Hodge the third.
Gemini IV proved a successful mission for many reason, not the least of which was its 36-
minute spacewalk by Ed White on the first day of the flight. This transcript provides a vivid
first-hand account of the initial U.S. extra-vehicular activity.