Posts: 1316
From: Syracuse, NY
Registered: Jan 2005

posted 12-08-2006 08:42 PM               

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I was looking around and came onto this photo of the Gemini hatch.

So, is this rectangular depression in the hatch what was called the "Stafford Bump"? If so, those guys were extremely cramped in there.

Posts: 1051
From: Messina, Sicilia, Italia
Registered: Jun 2004

Posts: 342
From: Houston, Texas, USA
Registered: Jun 2004

posted 12-11-2006 06:10 PM            

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According to Wally Schirra (in his comments on the Spacecraft Films DVD covering his Mercury flight), Gus had an average torso length but shorter legs, which was why Stafford could fit into the Gemini capsule. No mention of the "Stafford bump."

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John Charles
Houston, Texas

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From: Midwest, USA
Registered: Jul 2005

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From:
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Posts: 342
From: Houston, Texas, USA
Registered: Jun 2004

posted 12-20-2006 07:48 AM            

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quote:

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Originally posted by mjanovec:
I understand what you're saying about Grissom having an average torso length, but did Stafford have an average torso length too?

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Sorry, I don't have access to that info, and no way even to confirm Schirra's statement.

Maybe if we identify good, uncluttered photos of the Original 7 and the Next 9, we can make some measurements and come up with a definitive answer. Can anyone point us toward appropriate photos, probably from exercise or water survival training, maybe water-skiing, and of course demonstrating good posture for ease of measurement?

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John Charles
Houston, Texas

Posts: 1332
From: Staten Island, NY
Registered: Jun 2007

posted 12-05-2007 02:42 PM               

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I understand that Tom Stafford was just a little too tall to fit inside a Gemini capsule. No one realized this until he tried to get into the spacecraft with a suit on. I heard on Gemini 6 when he was the pilot they put a depression in the hatch. A 'bump'. Anyone else know anything about this?

-Lou

Posts: 861
From: Danville, Ohio
Registered: Dec 2002

posted 12-05-2007 03:41 PM               

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I am sure the bump was designed into the Gemini hatch long before the flight of Gemini VI. I have documentation of the bump's design dated 9-16-63. I have seen a photo of Gemini I (unmanned) without the bump, but Gemini III and later had the bump. (I'm not sure about Gemini II.)

The bump added about 0.8" to the head clearance.

Here's another look at the Gemini hatch.

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John Fongheiser
President
Historic Space Systems,
http://www.space1.com

Posts: 3811
From: Midwest, USA
Registered: Jul 2005

posted 12-05-2007 03:41 PM               

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I suspect that somewhere in NASA's files are publically available documents listing the height of each astronaut. The trick, of course, is finding such documents.

It may actually be easier to ask Stafford next time he makes an appearance.

Posts: 3811
From: Midwest, USA
Registered: Jul 2005

posted 12-05-2007 04:22 PM               

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While it doesn't tell you the exact height of each astronaut, you can compare the relative heights of the Group 2 Astronauts in this photo, where all astronauts appear to be standing fully upright the same distance from the camera.

Stafford is indeed the tallest, with Ed White appearing to be second tallest (and McDivitt and Lovell not being far behind). White has been said to have been at least 6 feet tall, in some accounts that I've read.

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From: the Netherlands
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