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Author
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Topic: Photo of the week 51 (November 26)
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heng44
Member Posts: 3387
From: Netherlands
Registered: Nov 2001
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posted 11-26-2005 04:07 AM
   
 The second Gemini-6 launch attempt on December 12, 1965, was aborted seconds after ignition as the first stage engine of the Titan II launch vehicle shut down due to a faulty release of a liftoff umbilical plug. Wally Schirra saved the day by not ejecting and Gemini-6 was finally launched on the third try three days later. Note the neat smoke ring rising at left! Ed Hengeveld |
Astro Bill
Member Posts: 1329
From: New York, NY
Registered: Feb 2005
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posted 11-26-2005 08:47 AM
It is important to remember that this launch failure was followed by five successful Gemini missions, numerous Apollo test missions, and (only three years later) Apollo 8's orbital mission of the Moon. The Apollo XI mission resulted in a successful landing on the Moon on 20 July 1969, only 3 1/2 years after the Gemini 6 launch failure shown above. China's recent successful Shenzhou-6 mission with two Taikonauts aboard is one in a series of missions leading to a planned manned landing on the Moon in 2017 (12 years from now). Even at the slow pace of China's Shenzhou launches, they should easily be able to achieve this goal, if they have the required technology. The US plans to return to the Moon in 2018 (13 years from now). However, recent problems with the Space Shuttle on STS-114 is causing extensive delays with the shuttle missions planned to complete the International Space Station and to repair/service the Hubble Space Telescope. Development of the CEV is progressing on schedule. However, it is unclear whether NASA will be able to revise its schedule enough to return the US to the Moon before China. A number of missions must teke place on both sides before we can say that there is a "race" to return to the Moon. A discussion of China's ajenda following their successful Shenzhou-6 ("Gemini") mission can be found at the following location: http://msnbc.msn.com/id/9685481/from/RL.2/ [This message has been edited by Astro Bill (edited November 26, 2005).] |
micropooz
Member Posts: 1512
From: Washington, DC, USA
Registered: Apr 2003
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posted 11-26-2005 10:07 AM
I remember watching this live on TV. I remember there was kind of a "pop" sound when the engines shut down. Maybe the reddish smoke ring to the left in the photo is from the shutdown if one of the propellant valves shut before the other (one of the Titan II propellants, nitrogen tetroxide and hydrazine, tends to show up as red when vaporized)?I remember when the pop happened and the sound stopped, one of the newscasters said "this is unusual" and then the NASA PAO guy came on and told of the shutdown. There were some covers postmarked for the launch scrub. You can see one at: http://pic17.picturetrail.com/VOL846/454068/823210/41831705.jpg And yup, the Stafford is an autopen on this cover. [This message has been edited by micropooz (edited November 26, 2005).] |
mdmyer
Member Posts: 900
From: Humboldt KS USA
Registered: Dec 2003
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posted 11-26-2005 12:04 PM
With Thanks to Ed I was able to show this photograph to Wally Schirra during his recent visit to the Cosmosphere. Wally said that this photo was one that he did not see very often. Thanks Ed for sharing you photo. Mike Myer
Humboldt KS | |
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