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  Space Cover 282: Flown Into the Stratosphere

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Author Topic:   Space Cover 282: Flown Into the Stratosphere
cvrlvr99
Member

Posts: 139
From: Arlington, TX
Registered: Aug 2014

posted 09-17-2014 10:55 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for cvrlvr99   Click Here to Email cvrlvr99     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Space Cover of the Week, Week 282 (September 14, 2014)

Space Cover #282: Flown Into the Stratosphere Balloon Cover

Twenty one years after the U.S. Explorer II balloon set a world record manned altitude record of 72,395 feet, two US Navy officers were launched into the stratosphere from the deck of the aircraft carrier, USS Antietam, in the Gulf of Mexico. The two men broke the world record by attaining 113,000 feet on 4 May 1961, one day before Alan B. Shepard became the first American in space. These two men wore the Project Mercury, Mark IV spacesuits during their endeavor.

While returning to splashdown they each signed a number of covers that they had taken on their flight.

At 7,000 feet they opened their visors and once they splashed down, they had a cigarette while awaiting the recovery helicopter. When the rescue/recovery helicopter hovered above them, Commander Malcolm Ross grabbed the cable and tried to stand on the hook. His foot slipped, but he held on to the cable, regained his footing and was winched up. When the cable came down again, Lt. Commander Victor Prather grabbed the cable and as he stepped on the hook, his foot also slipped. But he did not have a firm grasp on the cable and fell into the Gulf water. Immediately water poured in through the open visor and before the recovery team could jump in, he sunk under and drowned.

Two months later, Gus Grissom, the second American in space, escaped his Mercury capsule as it sank. But he was recovered safely because the spacesuit manufacture had added a thick rubber collar around the neck of the suit to prevent water from getting into the spacesuit. That addition was because of this tragedy.

If Grissom had drowned, it is very possible that our manned spacecraft program could have been delayed as Congress would have wanted reports and hearings about why it happened. That would have set back our space programs and possibly allowed the Soviets to beat us to the moon. Who knows?

micropooz
Member

Posts: 1512
From: Washington, DC, USA
Registered: Apr 2003

posted 09-18-2014 04:46 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for micropooz   Click Here to Email micropooz     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Wow, great cover Ray! And welcome to Space Cover of the Week!!!

garymilgrom
Member

Posts: 1966
From: Atlanta, GA
Registered: Feb 2007

posted 09-18-2014 10:05 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for garymilgrom   Click Here to Email garymilgrom     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Very interesting history. Thanks for posting, and thanks to Victor Pranther for his sacrifice. Fifty-three years later it's important to remember how difficult and dangerous the early days of manned spaceflight were.

Joel Katzowitz
Member

Posts: 808
From: Marietta GA USA
Registered: Dec 1999

posted 09-19-2014 07:41 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for Joel Katzowitz   Click Here to Email Joel Katzowitz     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Like Gary said, that's a very interesting story. I have a small piece of Grissom's rubber neck dam from MR-4 and this story will be a great addition to the display. Thanks for posting Ray.

stevedd841
Member

Posts: 292
From: Millersville, Maryland
Registered: Jul 2004

posted 09-19-2014 10:37 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for stevedd841   Click Here to Email stevedd841     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Hi Ray, Great Strato-Lab High cover cancelled on recovery ship, USS Antietam, and great first cover posting on Space Cover of the Week as a regular contributor! Welcome aboard!

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