Author
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Topic: Astronauts who ejected from their aircraft
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carmelo Member Posts: 1087 From: Messina, Sicilia, Italia Registered: Jun 2004
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posted 06-14-2022 09:21 AM
I read in this earlier topic that in 1972 Pete Conrad ejected from his T-38. 1972 May 10: electrical failure, out of fuel, ejected - no injuries: astronaut Charles "Pete" Conrad How many astronauts, and who, ejected from their planes in their career (air forces and NASA)? |
Jonnyed Member Posts: 563 From: Dumfries, VA, USA Registered: Aug 2014
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posted 06-14-2022 09:59 AM
Interesting question. Sorry to digress slightly but your post triggered something in my memory. I am not a military pilot but I understand that after the first ejection you are only permitted one more ejection before you are permanently grounded for medical reasons. This is due to the tremendous forces that compress the spine during the ejection process.First of all, is this understanding I just shared true and does it comport with others' understanding? (Again I'm not in USAF or other jet-flying org.) I wonder how Conrad's (or others) medical circumstances due to this incident were (or were not) part of the astronaut program's medical considerations? |
onesmallstep Member Posts: 1352 From: Staten Island, New York USA Registered: Nov 2007
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posted 06-14-2022 11:13 AM
Most famously, Neil Armstrong ejected twice during his piloting career: First during service in the Korean War, from a Navy F9F-2 Panther jet while on a ground support mission. Part of a wing was sheared off due to a low-lying enemy cable obstruction; he thought he would land on water after ejecting but the wind picked up and he set down on land and was quickly picked up by a Navy flight school mate in a jeep.The second time, he was flying the infamous LLRV (Lunar Landing Research Vehicle) trainer for Apollo commanders and LM pilots; a fuel indicator malfunctioned and he had to punch out, with seconds to spare. This was almost a year before Apollo 11's launch, in March 1968. |
David C Member Posts: 1353 From: Lausanne Registered: Apr 2012
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posted 06-14-2022 11:57 AM
I imagine quite a few but I don't know them all. Off the top of my head: - Mike Collins from an F-86 in France during the summer of 1956 when he had an (I think engine) fire.
- Rick Hauck from an RA-5C when the fuel tanks exploded.
- Mike Adams (X-15) when he had a very hard landing due to partial engine failure, with Dave Scott on 8/28/1963 in an F-104B at Edwards.
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carmelo Member Posts: 1087 From: Messina, Sicilia, Italia Registered: Jun 2004
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posted 06-14-2022 08:48 PM
quote: Originally posted by Jonnyed: ...is this understanding I just shared true and comport with others' understanding?
I think that depend on the type of plane.For example, eject by a F-104 is more problematic than eject by a T-38. I think depends also from the type of incident and by the modalities of ejection. |
oly Member Posts: 1396 From: Perth, Western Australia Registered: Apr 2015
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posted 06-15-2022 06:16 AM
Each ejection is different. Martin-Baker states that: There’s no fixed number – each individual is unique, as is the ejection that they endure. After ejection, a pilot will be given a full medical evaluation and it is down to that medical professional to advise whether it is recommended that the pilot continues to fly or not. I know of five successful ejections from three aircraft of the same type, and each one experienced different results, from the crew member coming away stiff and sore to some serious leg injuries.Keep in mind the rapid g force experienced during the ejection sequence. Different seat designs cater for flailing arms and legs, with some having straps that pull the limbs back which can also cause injury, but prevent them from being sheared off by the instrument panel of cockpit sidewalls, or being broken by the high-velocity airstream. |
carl walker Member Posts: 397 From: Netherlands Registered: Feb 2006
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posted 07-15-2022 02:45 PM
ESA astronaut Frank De Winne ejected from his F-16 while serving as a test pilot for the Belgian Air Force in June 1993. On another occasion in 1997, his F-16's flight control system failed and, faced with the choice of crashing in the IJsselmeer or of ejecting over densely populated area, he stayed with his aircraft and managed to land at a nearby airfield. |