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  Photo of the week 794 (January 11, 2020)

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Author Topic:   Photo of the week 794 (January 11, 2020)
heng44
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Posts: 3391
From: Netherlands
Registered: Nov 2001

posted 01-11-2020 03:01 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for heng44   Click Here to Email heng44     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote

Gemini 7 backup command pilot Ed White is seen in Mission Control during the flight in December 1965.

MCroft04
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From: Smithfield, Me, USA
Registered: Mar 2005

posted 01-11-2020 07:31 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for MCroft04   Click Here to Email MCroft04     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Following Ed's Gemini IV spacewalk (7th grade for me), I must have drawn at least a thousand pictures of him floating along side the spacecraft. He was an American hero as big as they come!

Thanks for the great picture and memories Ed.

MCroft04
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From: Smithfield, Me, USA
Registered: Mar 2005

posted 01-12-2020 09:03 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for MCroft04   Click Here to Email MCroft04     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
I can't believe no one else has made a comment about this wonderful photo. Ed was bigger than life, the first American to do an EVA, destined to bigger things in the program. I still recall with sadness that terrible news release on TV in January 1967 that announced the fire and the outcome. I remember exactly what I was doing when I heard the news. Godspeed Ed White!

Delta7
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From: Bluffton IN USA
Registered: Oct 2007

posted 01-13-2020 06:09 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Delta7   Click Here to Email Delta7     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
I've always wondered if White would have preferred to command Gemini X over flying on Apollo 1. And why the decision was made to assign him to the latter and not keep White and Collins together as the crew for Gemini X. And what kind of career would White have ultimately had, had he flown Gemini X.

dwager
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From: Augusta, GA
Registered: Sep 2014

posted 01-16-2020 11:22 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for dwager   Click Here to Email dwager     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Ed - One of the reasons I love the "behind-the-scenes" shots is that I find myself examining all the details -- like the chart taped on the console in the left foreground, or the manual/handbook in White's hand... Love these snapshots of a moment in time. I never get tired of them.

Tom
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From: New York
Registered: Nov 2000

posted 01-16-2020 07:49 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Tom   Click Here to Email Tom     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
quote:
Originally posted by Delta7:
And what kind of career would White have ultimately had, had he flown Gemini X.
The reason why Ed White was removed from Gemini 10 was because when Elliot See was still assigned as pilot on Gemini 8 with Neil Armstrong, John Young was scheduled to command Gemini 9. When See was re-assigned to command "9" Young was bumped back to command Gemini 10.

astro-nut
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From: Washington, IL
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posted 01-18-2020 12:13 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for astro-nut   Click Here to Email astro-nut     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
One of the greatest astronauts we ever had!

I, too, have often wondered why he was never given command of Gemini 10 mission, after Mike Collins and him served as backup crew? What if his and John Young's roles would of have been switched with Ed White being Gemini 10 commander and John Young flying with Gus and Roger on Apollo 1?

Also, remember reading in books that Deke Slayton had Ed White slotted for the Skylab program and no Apollo flights? I think Edward White would of have been a tremendous commander and would of had a great Apollo flight!

Ed White was, is and will always continue to be the role model for astronauts. A true great American Hero!

Delta7
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From: Bluffton IN USA
Registered: Oct 2007

posted 01-19-2020 09:08 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for Delta7   Click Here to Email Delta7     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Back in the mid 60s, what eventually evolved into Skylab was the Apollo Applications Program, which envisioned both earth orbital and lunar missions beyond the first lunar landing. So White's assignment to it didn't preclude him flying to the moon.

And yes I'm aware of the Elliot See situation where he was promoted to Command Pilot of Gemini 9 because Slayton didn't feel he was physically up to doing a spacewalk as Pilot on Gemini 8. But why break up a crew that had already trained together? It would have made more sense in my opinion to assign Young to Grissom's Apollo crew, and I'm sure that was an option.

For whatever reason, Deke decided to give Young Gemini command experience over White. Maybe it came down to simply asking Grissom whom he'd prefer on his crew, White or Young?

All times are CT (US)

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