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UNITED STATES
NATIONAL AERONAUTICS
AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION
IN COOPERATION W I T H
,Ted1n i ca x
JUNE 6, 1961
. I ..
4
WASHINGTON, D. C.
UNITED STATES
NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION
I n C o o p e r a t i o n With
NATIONAL I N S T I T U T E S OF HEALTH
And
NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES
CONFERENCE ON
A C o m p i l a t i o n of t h e Papers Presented
June 6, 1961
WASHINGTON, D. C.
CONTENTS
Page
FOREWORD............... .............. v
June 6, 1961
1. INTRODUCTION
By Robert R . Gilruth, Director, Space Task Group ......
2. FLIGHT PLAN FOR THE MR-3 MANNED FLIGHT
By Christopher C. Kraft, Jr., Asst. Chief, F l i g h t Operations
Division ..........................
3 . MERCURY SPACECRAFC SYSTEMS
By Aleck C . Bond, Asst. Chief, F l i g h t Systems Division ...
4. REvlEw OF BIOMEDICAL SYSTEMS FOR MR-3 FLIGHT
By Stanley C . White, M.D., Chief, Life Systems Division;
Richard S. Johnston, Asst. Chief, Life Systems Division;
Gerard J. Pesman, Crew Equipment Branch, Life Systems
Division ..........................
11. BIOMEDICAL DATA
SESSION CHAIRMAN: . .
Dr C H. Roadman, Acting Director, NASA Life
Sciences Programs
iv
FOREWORD
V
MTRODUCTION
By Robert R. Gilruth
MANAGEMENT ORGANIZATION
Overall d i r e c t i o n of P r o j e c t Mercury i s t h e r e s p o n s i b i l i t y of t h e
National Aeronautics and Space Administration and i s e x e r c i s e d through
t h e NASA Headquarters, Office of Space F l i g h t Programs. Detailed pro-
gram management i s delegated t o t h e Space Task Group, shown i n t h e c e n t e r
a r e a of f i g u r e 1. The Space Task Group looks f o r a s s i s t a n c e i n r e s e a r c h
3
(1)Automatic escape
( 2 ) Control during i n s e r t i o n
CONCLUDING REMARKS
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The formal countdown for the preparation for launching the MR-3
manned spacecraft started on the day previous to the launch day. The
countdown was actually split into two parts because previous experience
had shown that it was preferable to run the countdown in two shorter
segments and allow the launch crew of both the spacecraft and the launch
vehicle to obtain some rest before starting the final preparation for
Astronaut insertion and launch of the vehicle. The countdown started
at 8:30 a.m. EST on May 4, 1961. All the operations proceeded normally
and were completed ahead of the scheduled time. A built-in hold of
approximately 15 hours was called at T - 6 hours 30 minutes (where T
indicates the time of predicted lift-off). During this time the various
pyrotechnics were installed in the spacecraft and the hydrogen peroxide
-
system was serviced. The countdown was resumed at T 6 hours 30 minutes
at ll:3O p.m. EST on May 4, 1961. A built-in hold of 1 hour had been
previously agreed upon at T - 2 hours 20 minutes. This hold was to
assure that spacecraft preparations had been completed before the
8
Astronaut was transported to the pad. The countdown proceeded with only
minor delays until T - 2 hours 20 minutes. At this time, final prepara-
tion of the spacecraft was conducted and the Astronaut was apprised of
the continuance of the countdown and transported to the pad. (The
details concerning the Astronaut's preparations will be presented in
subsequent papers by Jackson et al. and by Augerson and Laughlin.)
Figure 1 shows the MR-3 flight plan which was worked out by both
the engineering and aeromedical groups, in conjunction with the Astronauts,
to obtain an initial assessment of man's capability to operate in a space
environment, and an appraisal of the spacecraft systems under similar
conditions. The various phases of the mission are presented, and the
values given are the times in minutes and seconds after lift-off at which
an event occurred or a given task was performed. The flight as flown by
Astronaut Shepard was almost identical to the intended flight plan and
for purposes of this discussion can be considered the same. During the
countdown several planned communications checks were made with the
Astronaut on both UHF and HF radio. At T - 2 minutes the UHF radio was
turned on and continuous communications were maintained between the
Astronaut acting as the spacecraft communicator in the Mercury Control
Center and the Astronaut in the spacecraft. This wits to assure that the
9
S h o r t l y a f t e r j e t t i s o n of t h e retropackage, a check of t h e HF r a d i o
onboard t h e spacecraft was made and, during t h i s time ( a t T + 6 minutes
20 seconds), t h e Astronaut placed t h e s p a c e c r a f t i n t h e r e e n t r y a t t i t u d e
of 40°; t h a t i s , with t h e h e a t s h i e l d pointed down 40° from t h e l o c a l
h o r i z o n t a l . The periscope was r e t r a c t e d a t T + 6 minutes 44 seconds. I n
a nominal r e e n t r y from o r b i t , t h e periscope i s r e t r a c t e d j u s t previous t o S
atmospheric r e e n t r y t o prevent damage due t o r e e n t r y heating. This pro- 1
cedure was followed i n t h i s f l i g h t , although no h e a t damage would have 2
occurred i n t h i s p a r t i c u l a r r e e n t r y maneuver. The start of t h e r e e n t r y ,
as i n d i c a t e d by t h e sensing of O.O5g, i n i t i a t e d t h e O.O5g l i g h t on t h e
Astronaut's panel a t T + 7 minutes 48 seconds, and t h e a c c e l e r a t i o n b u i l t
up t o a maximum of ll.Og a t T + 8 minutes 20 seconds. This m a x i m u m
a c c e l e r a t i o n occurred a t an a l t i t u d e of approximately 83,000 f e e t .
MANUAL CONTROL
Figure 1.
II
LANDING POINT
Figure 2.
MR-3 ACCELERATION PROFILE
ACCELERATION.
g UNITS
12r
IO c LAUNCH- REENTRY
4- MAIN PARACHUTE
DEPLOYMENT
0 2 4 6 8 101214
TIME, MIN
Figure 3.
MERCURY SPACECRAFT SYSTEMS
By Aleck C. Bond
INTROlXTCTION
The s p a c e c r a f t configuration i s c h a r a c t e r i z e d by c e r t a i n f e a t u r e s :
t h e b l u n t r e e n t r y face, t h e c o n i c a l afterbody, t h e c y l i n d r i c a l recovery
compartment, and t h e antenna c a n i s t e r . The b l u n t end which i s o r i e n t e d
forward during r e e n t r y i s p r o t e c t e d from r e e n t r y h e a t i n g by a h e a t s h i e l d .
16
Communications System
Two-way voice:
( a ) Two primary r a d i o l i n k s
Te lemet r y :
( b ) Low frequency
Two r a d a r beacons
Recovery beacons :
( b ) U l t r a SARAH ( i n s u r v i v a l k i t )
Landing System
A t t i t u d e Control System
I n st m e n t Pane 1
SPACECFUFT-IA'CH-VEHICIX COMBINATION
Figure 1.
Figure 2.
24
-‘---ROLL JETS
Figure 3.
Figure 4.
7
25
Figure 5.
TURNAROUND
0 JETTISONED
SPACECRAFT SEWRATIO
SEPARATION-,
Figure 6 .
26
Figure 7.
I M PA CT ATT E NUAT10N
I
STRAPS
HEAT
SHIELD
1
W A C T ~
SKIRT
Figure 8.
27
Figure 9.
29
REVIEW OF BIOMEDICAL SYSTEMS FOR MR-3 FLIGHT
INTRODUC TION
I
support systems for the spacecraft and of the s e l e c t i o n and t r a i n i n g of
t h e Astronauts f o r space f l i g h t . The major spacecraft systems which are
e s s e n t i a l f o r s u s t a i n i n g t h e Astronaut during f l i g h t a r e t h e environmen-
t a l c o n t r o l system and t h e Astronaut acceleration protection system.
This discussion w i l l be l i m i t e d t o a summary of the s t a t u s of these two
systems a t t h e time of the f l i g h t of MR-3, a review of t h e biomedical
portions of t h e Astronaut t r a i n i n g , and a discussion of t h e animal pro-
gram preceding t h e manned f l i g h t .
P r e s s u r i z a t i o n i n t h e p r e s s u r e - s u i t c o n t r o l system i s maintained
by a demand type of r e g u l a t o r . In normal operation t h i s r e g u l a t o r
I meters oxygen i n t o t h e system t o m a i n t a i n t h e pressure s u i t a t nominal
cabin pressure; thus, i n normal operation t h e pressure s u i t i s not
i n f l a t e d b u t merely provides body v e n t i l a t i o n . I n t h e event of a cabin
decompression, t h e r e g u l a t o r senses t h e loss i n pressure and maintains
t h e s u i t a t 4.6 p s i .
4. Clark, C a r l C.,
and Gray, R. Flanagan: A Discussion of R e s t r a i n t
and Protection of t h e Human Experiencing t h e Smooth and O s c i l l a t i n g
Accelerations of Proposed Space Vehicles. MA-5914, Aviation Medical
Acceleration Lab., U.S. Naval Air Dev. Center (Johnsville, Pa. ),
Dec. 1959.
39
3
1 TABLE I
%
t
EWIIR0NME;NTAL CONTROL SYSTEX
a
Additional coolant water required.
40
L2 l s
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41
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42
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43
Figure 1.
Figure 2 .
44
OXYGEN
Figure 3 .
Figure 4.
.45
CRUSHABLE ALUMINUM
ACCELERATION H0 N E Y C 0 M B
Figure 5.
REVERSAL ACCELERATIONS
q MAX ABORT-LITTLE JOE Vb
*r I
-I 0 I 2 3 4 5
TIME, SEC
Figure 6.
46
Figure 7.
RESPIRATION, 6o
PER MIN
30
2101-
HEART RATE, I 5o
PERMIN
90
w,M A
G-FORGE 9
0
0 2 4 6 8 IO 12 1
4 16
TIME, MIN
Figure 8.
47
0
S t . E l i z a b e t h ' s Hospital, Washington, D.C ., .
and S. S g t Carlton L. D.
Stewart of t h e U.S. A i r Force Hospital, Lackland A i r Force Base, Texas.
This paper r e v e a l s only a few changes i n t h e p i l o t whose r o l e continuously
represented s u b j e c t and observer.
i n j u r y t o h i s l e f t f o o t and t h a t he w a s about t o l o s e t h e f o u r t h t o e -
n a i l . H e w a s receiving no medications. The p i l o t s t a t e d t h a t he had
recently been "sunburned" and over t h e thorax he was "losing some s k i n . "
There were no o t h e r systemic complaints or comments. A p s y c h i a t r i c
interview w a s accomplished. The p s y c h i a t r i s t noted t h a t t h e w p i l o t
appeared relaxed and c h e e r f u l . He was a l e r t and had abundant energy
and enthusiasm. Affect was a p p r o p r i a t e . He discussed p o t e n t i a l hazards
of t h e f l i g h t r e a l i s t i c a l l y and expressed s l i g h t apprehension concerning
them. However, he d e a l t with such f e e l i n g s by r e p e t i t i v e consideration
of how each p o s s i b l e e v e n t u a l i t y could be managed. Thinking w a s almost
t o t a l l y d i r e c t e d t o t h e f l i g h t . N o disturbances i n thought or i n t e l -
l e c t u a l functions were observed. "
As a r e s u l t of t h i s one b r i e f b a l l i s t i c s p a c e - f l i g h t experience,
a number of changes have been noted. These changes a r e summarized as
follows :
Preflight Postflight
Urine s p e c i f i c g r a v i t y . .. 1.013
.......
Serum p r o t e i n
Plasma norepinephrine . . .
BIBLIOGRAF'KY
Glucose :
Nelson, M.: Photometric Adaptation of Somogyi Method f o r Determina-
t i o n of Glucose. J o u r . B i o l . Chem., vol. 153, 1944, p . 375.
T o t a l p r o t e i n , albumin:
Cohn, C . , and Wolfson, W. G.: J o u r . Lab. C l i n . Med., v o l . 32, 1947,
p . 1203.
Gornall, A. G., B a r d a w i l l , C . J., and David, M. M . : Jour. Biol.
Chem., vol. 177, 1949, p. 731.
Urea nitrogen :
Gentzkow, C . J., and Masen, J . M.: J d u r . Biol. Chem., v o l . 143,
1942, I?.531.
Calcium:
Diehl, H., and Ellingboe, J . L.: Anal. Chem., vol. 28, 1956, p . 882.
Chloride :
Schales, O., and Schales, S. S.: J o u r . B i o l . Chem., v o l . 140, 1941,
P * 879-
Urine norepinephrine:
Weil-Malherbe, H., and Bone, A. D.: J o u r . Clin. I n v e s t i g a t i o n ,
vol. 10, 1937, 'pp. 138-147.
Vanyl mandelic a c i d :
Sunderman, F. W.: Am. Jour. C l i n . Pathology, v o l . 34, 1960, p. 273.
53
Preflight Postflight
-8 hr Shipboard +3 hr
Body weight nude
.....
( p o s t voiding) 169 lb 4 oz
.....
Temperature, OF 99.0 ( r e c t a l )
......
Pulse per min 68
...
Respiration per min 16
Blood pressure, mm Hg:
Standing........
Sitting ........
Supine .........
Pulse p e r min:
....
Before exercise 68
After exercise ..... 100
*
(22 min)
*Time f o r r e t u r n t o normal.
54
-
Centrifuge MR-3 f l i g h t
IP r e f l i g h t I Postflight
Preflight Postflight
D i f f e r e n t i a l blood count:
Lymphocytes, percent .. 42
Ventrophiles, percent .. 33
56 51
32
54
Band, percent ...... 0 0 1
Monocytes, percent ... 8 6 8
Eosinophiles, percent .. 3 1 4
Basophiles, percent ... 0 0 1
Centrifuge MR-3 f l i g h t
Postrun 'ref li ght Postflight
'rerun
sodium ( serum),
mEq/L .. ... .
Potassium (serum),
. 146
-30 min t2 h r
135 145
-4 days
137
=I=
-30 min
137
+3 h r t45 hr
143 151
mEq/L . . .... . 5.1 5.6 5.5 4.4 4.6 3.9 5-7
7alcium (serum),
mEq/L . . . . . . . 5.4 4.4 3.9 4.7 5.4 4.9 4.8
Zhloride ( serum),
mEq/L . .. . . . . 116 102 83 102 106 107 90
Protein ( t o t a l serum)
g/1OO mZ . . . . . 7.9 8.6 7.4 7.4 8.3 7.4 7.3
Ubumin ( serum),
g/1OO mZ . . . . . 4.6 5.0 4.3 4.0 4.0 3.7 3-7
3lobulin ( serum),
g / l O O mZ . . . . . 3-3 3.6 3.1 3.4 4.3 3.7 3.6
Jrea nitrogen,
rng/100 mZ . . . . . 13.4 15.1 14.5 15.4 15.2 15.7 14.4
Epinephrine ( plasma)a
pg/L . . ...
.. 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.c 0.0 0.c 0.0
Norepinephrine
(plasma) ,b
yg/L . . .. .. . 6.1 9.6 2.2 5.2 12.9 9.6 3.3
Centrifuge MR-3 f l i g h t
-I
Normal
1 Postflight
~~ ~ ~-
Postrun leeflight
1 Transaminases :
SGOT
SGPT
.......
.......
I
0- 35
0-20
19
4
17
4
=IT
130 min k2 h r -4 days +3 h r t45 h r
10
9
23
0
22
6
16
8
'Esterase
acetylcholine ... 5130-260 235 230 210 195 210 220
l Peptidase
....
leucylamino 100-310 240 220 310 , 360 415 400
Aldolase ...... 50-150 25 28 19 28 9 41
'Isomerase
phosphohexose ... b10-20 12 11 11 5 15 7
,Dehydrogenases:,
Lactic...... 150-250 200 190 235 185 170 190
Malic....... 150-250 190 155 220 225 igo 220
Succinic..... Neg. Neg. Neg. Neg. Neg. Neg. Neg.
Inosine...... Neg. Neg. Neg. Neg. Neg. Neg. Neg.
Alpha keto-
1 ....
glutaric Neg. Neg. Neg. Neg. Neg. Neg. Neg.
"APH u n i t s .
b€?odansky units.
59
INTRODUCTION
n
including telemetry and monitoring.
ELECTROCARDIOGRAPHIC SENSOR
I n t h e case of t h e electrocardiogram, it i s i n t e r e s t i n g t h a t ,
d e s p i t e a h a l f century of c l i n i c a l use, a g r e a t d e a l had t c be done
t o give u s a device t h a t w a s acceptable f o r f l i g h t . E s s e n t i a l l y , t h i s
i s t h e c l i n i c a l problem of recording the electrocardiogram during exer-
t i o n . The requirement w a s f o r a comfortable set of e l e c t r o d e s which
had a low impedance t o match the capsule a q p l i f i e r s , would record durlng
arm movement, and would s t a y e f f e c t i v e with a low r e s i s t a n c e throughciut
a 24-hour period. A f t e r a number of in-house trials w i t h various experi-
mental models ( f i g . 6) had been m a d e , a f l u i d e l e c t r o d e w a s f i n a l l y
independently developed t h a t had much i n common w i t h that worked c u t
by t h e bioinstrumentation group f o r t h e X-15 f l i g h t s . It a l s o c l o s e l y
resembled t h a t r e c e n t l y described by D r . Donald A. Rowley of t h e Depart-
ment of Pathology of t h e University of Chicago who w a s searching f o r an
e l e c t r o d e t o permit 24-hour pulse counts i n a c t i v e people. It i s an
encouraging confirmation of t h e approach t o f i n d t h i s convergence i n
technique.
BLOOD-PRESSURE RECORDINGS
TABU I
LK = 1,000
c
A
Start
I
12 hour 24 hour Start
1.5~
12 hour 24 hour
2.5~
A 3.5K 6.5~
B -----
C 3.1K 2.5~
D -----
E 2.5~ 3- 3K
F 2.4K 4.6~
G 2.5~ 3. OK
Mean 83K 2.6K 2.9~ 3.v
Encreasc ---- 100% 1 338% 11.5% 42.3%
65
Figure 1.
Figure 2 .
66
Figure 3.
Figure 4.
67
Figure 5.
Figure 6.
68
Figure 7 .
ELECTRODE
4
MONITORING DATA
LEAD I = ELECTRODES I 8 2 (AXILLARY)
LEAD 2=ELECTRODES 3 814 (STERNAL)
Figure 8.
69
Figure 9.
Figure 10.
R F I I ~ I N G f F RI M)D PRESSURE TRANSDUCER To BE
ORBITAL
I- FLIGHT
Figure 11.
PHYSIOLQGICAL RESPONSES OF THE ASTRONAUT T
IU' THE MR-3 F L I G H T
A major objective of the MR-3 flight was to record and study the
Astronaut's physiological responses to the space-flight stresses imposed.
Weightless flight and acceleration-weightlessness transition periods were
of special interest. Additional flight objectives were to demonstrate
the performance capability of the Astronaut in space flight and to famil-
iarize him with a space-flight experience. A review of the specific
stress components inherent in the MR-3 flight is essential to a better
understanding of the physiological response patterns.
Astronaut Shepard wore a full pressure suit, which was not inflated
during the flight. He was restrained in a form-fitting couch throughout
the countdown and flight and remained in the couch until immediately
after landing on the water. He was maintained in the supine position
with legs and thighs flexed at angles of approximately 90° except for
the period of weightless flight when spacecraft attitude change placed
him in the seated position.
The Astronaut was supplied with 100-percent oxygen during the count-
down and flight. An analysis of the cabin atmosphere during countdown
after approximately 1 hour of 100-percent oxygen purge indicated a level
of 98-percent oxygen. Opening of the cabin pressure relief valve at
about 23,000 feet on descent introduced ambient air into the cabin.
Cabin and suit pressure levels fell from 14.7 to 5.7 pounds per square
inch during the immediate 1 minute 30 second period after lift-off. This
I
pressure of 5.7 pounds per square inch was maintained throughout the
remainder of the flight until repressurization was initiated at approxi-
'
9 seconds prior to lift-off and was 126 at the lift-off signal. The
pulse rate climbed during the launch phase to a peak of 138, coincident
with launch-vehicle engine cutoff and the spacecraft separation maneuver.
This rate was sustained for approximately 45 seconds. Pulse-rate
responses to the weightless flight period were somewhat erratic, but
there was a general downward trend to reach a low of 108 just prior to
the onset of reentry accelerations. It was during the weightless flight
period that the Astronaut was most active, manipulating the spacecraft
manual attitude control system and making external observations. The
Astronaut reached a pulse rate of 1 3 2 approximately 30 seconds after
peak reentry acceleration, and the pulse rate on descent fluctuated
between 130 and 108 beats per minute. At loss of signal after impact,
the rate was 111 beats per minute.
The pulse rate responses of the Astronaut from the Redstone g-profile
centrifuge program are plotted graphically against the MR-3 pulse rate
data in figure 5 . Pulse rate responses during the countdown and flight
were entirely consistent with intact physiological function. As depicted
graphically, they are in excess of Astronaut Shepard's centrifuge training
experience. During the centrifuge runs, he frequently demonstrated a
sinus bradycardia, usually occurring after simulated reentry g-forces.
This heart-rate slowing phenomenon was not demonstrated during the MR-3
flight.
EST EVENT
01IO AWAKENED
SHOWER
HIGH PROTEIN BREAKFAST
PHYSICAL EXAM (BRIEF)
DON SENSORS
( A ) PAIR OF STERNAL ECG LEADS
( B ) PAIR OF AXILLARY ECG LEADS
( C ) RESPIRATION THERMISTOR
( D ) DEEP BODY TEMPERATURE
DON SUIT, PRESSURE CHECKS
0355 ENTER TRANSFER VAN (BRIEFING)
0435 ARRIVE AT PAD
0515 ASCEND GANTRY
0520
0625
0637
0700
I INSERTION BEGUN
DENITROGENATION PERIOD ENDS
GANTRY REMOVED
SCHEDULED LAUNCH
071 3
0934 I HOLD FOR WEATHER, ETC.
LIFT-OFF
77
PHYSI0LOGICAL DATA
MR-3 COUNTDOWN
140r
MINUS TIME,HR 4
I
I I
3
91 82 7 2 45 21
I 1
EVENTS
I INSTALLATION
2 STARTING PURGE
3 TIGHTEN HARNESS: PURGE OFF
4 SUIT PRESSURE CHECK
5 NORMAL SUIT PRESSURE
6 HOLDING: HATCH ON
7 COUNTING: CABIN PRESSURE CHECK
8 PURGE OVER
9 GANTRY REMOVED
IO CABIN INSTRUMENT CHECKS
I I DISCUSS WEATHER
12 SQUIBS FULLY ARMED
Figure l(a)
PHYSIOLOGICAL DATA
MR - 3 COUNTDOWN
I4Oc P
P1 FJ
JLSE*
R MIN loot ?? A P
I I I I
MINUS TIME, 2 I 112 1)4 LIFTOF\O
HR
EVENT
13 LOCAL WEATHER PROBLEM:
INFORMED POSSIBLE I HR HOLD
14 HOLDING
15 HOLDING : LAUNCH VEHICLE INVERTER PROBLEM
16 HOLDING: GANTRY IN
17 COUNTING: REPURGE CABIN
18 HOLDING: GANTRY AWAY
19 ON STANDBY INVERTER
20 COUNTING
21 REARM SQUIB
22 HOLDING: COMPUTER HOLD:
PILOT INQUIRY
23 COUNT RESUMED
24 ON INTERNAL POWER
25 FIRING COMMAND
Figure l ( b )
79
PH Y SI 0LOGICAL DATA
MR- 3 - FLIGHT
I40
PULSE, I2O
PERMIN 100
80
RESPIRATION, 40f-/SS*S-
PER MIN 20
_EVENT
I MAXIMUM DYNAMIC PRESSURE
2 LAUNCH-VEHICLE ENGINE CUTOFF:
SPACECRAFT SEPARATION.: TURNAROUND
3 RETROATTITUDE
4 RETROFIRE
5 RETROJET
6 REENTRY ATTITUDE
7 .05g
8 DROGUE CHUTE DEPLOYMENT
9 MAIN CHUTE OEPLOYMENT
10 IMPACT
I I LOSS OF SIGNAL
Figure 2
80
PHYSIOLOGICAL DATA
SPACECRAFT PREPARATION TEST
b
'MR-3 DATA
PER M I N 7 0
50
RESPIRATION~~?
PER MIN - -- - o-
-1
EVENT I
I I I II
2 3 4 56
I1
78
1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1
COUNT TIME, MIN -I I5 -105 -95 -85 -75 -65 -55 -45 -35 -25
I
EVENT
I INSTALLATION:
PURGE STARTS
2 SUITFAN TO NORMAL
3 END PURGE:
SUIT PRESSURE CHECK
4 ADJUST STRAPS
5 HATCH CLOSURE BEGINS
6 CABIN PRESSURE\CHECK
7 GANTRY MOVING BACK
8 CHERRY PICKER TO POSITION
Figure 4(a)
84
PHYSIOLOGICAL DATA
SPACECRAFT PREPARATION TEST
EVENTS
9 CHERRY PICKER TO POSITION
IO READY TO ARM SQUIB
II CAMERA 8 TAPE RECORDERS ON
12 ON INTERNAL POWER
13 CHERRY PICKER REMOVED
14 GANTRY BACK: READY FOR EGRESS
15 JUST BEFORE REMOVAL
Figure 4(b)
PHYSIOLOGICAL DATA COMPARISON OF
CENTRIFUGE AND MR-3 FLIGHT
PULSE RATE
I40
I20
PULSE, 100
PER MIN
80
60
Figure 3
G -FORCE >
Figure 6
I
87
By Donald K. Slayton
INTRODITCTION
TRAINING PROGRAM
Academics
I
I
All of us needed t o brush up on b a s i c mechanics and aerodynamics.
I n a d d i t i o n , p r i o r t o t h i s t r a i n i n g we had been only b r i e f l y exposed t o
~
many f i e l d s of science such as astronomy, meteorology, a s t r o p h y s i c s ,
88
Astronaut S p e c i a l t y area
S t a t i c Training Devices
In a d d i t i o n t o u s e of t h e t r a i n e r f o r l e a r n i n g modes of f a i l u r e and
c o r r e c t i v e a c t i o n s f o r f a i l u r e s , we have a l s o run normal mission p r o f i l e s ,
f o r both t h e Redstone and t h e A t l a s launch v e h i c l e s , and any a b o r t p r o f i l e s
t h a t it i s p o s s i b l e t o obtain, so t h a t we could develop an i n t i m a t e famil-
i a r i t y with t h e s e f l i g h t p r o f i l e s . I n t h e process, w e have developed
f l i g h t p l a n s f o r our a c t u a l f l i g h t s , s i n c e we g e t an exact f e e l i n g f o r
t h e timing of events and know when we have spare time t o do something
t h a t i s not a mandatory p a r t of t h e operation. Since t h i s t r a i n e r was
wired i n e x a c t l y t h e same manner as t h e a c t u a l f l i g h t s p a c e c r a f t , and
s i n c e a l l s p a c e c r a f t changes were immediately cranked i n t o t h e t r a i n e r ,
it has a l s o proved a valuable device i n troubleshooting systems design.
There have been many cases where a system d i d not operate e x a c t l y as we
had envisioned, and we would not have known t h i s f a c t without having t h e
procedures t r a i n e r with which t o work. I n t h e s e cases, we e i t h e r rede-
s i g n e d t h e system or modified our procedures t o compensate f o r t h e
changed system.
S p e c i f i c Mission Preparation
DISCUSSION
INmODUCTION
n
major sources of d a t a a r e a v a i l a b l e : the Astronaut's communications t o
t h e ground durlng t h e f l i g h t , t h e p i c t u r e s from t h e onboard pilot-observer
camera, telemetered records of t h e vehicle a t t i t u d e while under manual
c o n t r o l , and h i s own n a r r a t i v e description of h i s a c t i v i t i e s given at
t h e p o s t f l i g h t debriefing. Since t h e MR-3 f l i g h t i s described i n a
subsequent paper by Astronaut Shepard, t h i s p r e s e n t a t i o n w i l l be l i m i t e d
t o a discussion of d a t a from t h e f i r s t t h r e e sources.
98
F l i g h t Voice Communications
Attitude Control
An area of p a r t i c u l a r i n t e r e s t i s t h e r e t r o f i r e p o r t i o n of t h e
mission. During t h i s period t h e f i r i n g of t h e r e t r o r o c k e t s produces
a c c e l e r a t i o n disturbances about t h e axis of t h e v e h i c l e due t o s l i g h t m i s -
alinements of t h e r e t r o r o c k e t s . The Astronaut m u s t counteract t h e s e
misalinement torques with t h e manual c o n t r o l system. This i s t h e most
d i f f i c u l t , and i n an o r b i t a l f l i g h t t h e most c r i t i c a l , maneuver r e q u i r e d
of the Astronaut. From figure 5 it can be seen t h a t t h e a t t i t u d e in a l l
t h r e e axes w a s h e l d f a i r l y steady during t h e r e t r o f i r e period. The
s l i g h t divergence i n yaw a t t i t u d e toward t h e end of t h e period i s not
s i g n i f i c a n t and would not have g r e a t l y a f f e c t e d t h e accuracy of t h e
o r b i t a l r e e n t r y . Although t h e a c c e l e r a t i o n s produced by t h e r e t r o r o c k e t s
about each axis could not be determined p r e c i s e l y , Astronaut Shepard
reported t h a t t h e r e t r o f i r e misalinement torques f e l t about t h e same as
those used i n t h e t r a i n e r . I f t h i s i s true then h i s performance i s com-
parable t o t h a t shown in t h e Mercury procedures t r a i n e r and w e l l within
t h e limits r e q u i r e d f o r t h e o r b i t a l mission.
CONCLUDING REMARKS
ATTITUDE I
MANEUVERS
MAJOR
SPACEGRAFT
ACTIONS
MONITORED
>
COMMUNI-
CATIONS k lI I I I I 111
Figure 1.
IBSERVED
Figure 2.
106
TI ME
w:40i
0:OO I LAUNCH
0:zo
I :oo
LAUNCH
VEH .
2:20
I CUTOFF
( a ) During launch.
2:32 SPACECRAFT
SEPARATION:
PERISCOPE
EXTEND
4: 46 RETRO COMM.
5:14 RETROFIRE
R 8:21MAX. g
8:40
9:20 9:38DROGUE
1o:oo 9:59SNORKEL
1044 MAIN CHUTE
10:40
( c ) During reentry.
0 N sl s
PERCENT: 0-5 5-20 20-40 40-60 60-8080-100
Figure 3
APPROXIMATE EYE-SCAN PATTERN
T + I MIN TO T + 2 MIN
7ATT. 81RATE INDIGATOR
’’
NO. FIXATIONS
PERCENT OF TIME SPENT
ON EACH INSTRUMENT
-I- LINK (HI VALUE)
--I--
LINK (LO VALUE)
Figure 4
108
YAW, DEG
-25 r
ROLL, DEG I_
-25
0
25
2:50 3:20 3:50 4:20 4:50 5:20 5:50 6:20 6:50 7:20
TIME, MIN:SEC
Figure 3 .
f i
'
PITCH, -25 YAW, I 2.5
DEG 0. '
~ DEG 0
25 12.5
FIRST ROLL MANEUVER SECOND ROLL MANEUVER
-25 -25
ROLL, I2.5 ROLL, 12.5
DEG 0 DEG 0
12.5 12.5
-50
REENTRY
- 25
ATTITUDE PITCH,
MANEUVER DEG
25
50
Figure 6.
PILOT 'S FLIGHT REpOrcT 9 INCLUDING IN-FLIGHT FILMS
INTROIXJCTION
My i n t e n t i o n i s t o p r e s e n t my f l i g h t r e p o r t i n n a r r a t i v e form and
t o include t h r e e phases. These phases s h a l l be: (1) t h e p e r i o d p r i o r
t o launch, ( 2 ) t h e f l i g h t i t s e l f , and ( 3 ) t h e p o s t f l i g h t d e b r i e f i n g
p e r i o d . I i n t e n d t o describe my f e e l i n g s and r e a c t i o n s and t o make
comments p e r t i n e n t t o t h e s e t h r e e a r e a s . I a l s o have an onboard f i l m
of t h e f l i g h t t o show a t t h e end of my p r e s e n t a t i o n .
PREFLIGHT PERIOD
PERIOD OF FLIGHT
A t t h i s p o i n t i n t h e f l i g h t I was scheduled t o t a k e c o n t r o l of t h e
a t t i t u d e (angular p o s i t i o n ) by use of t h e manual system. I made t h i s
manipulation one axis a t a time, switching t o p i t c h , yaw, and r o l l i n
t h a t order u n t i l I had f u l l c o n t r o l of t h e c r a f t . I used t h e instruments
f i r s t and then t h e periscope as r e f e r e n c e c o n t r o l s . The r e a c t i o n of t h e
spacecraft was very much l i k e t h a t obtained i n t h e a i r - b e a r i n g t r a i n e r
(ALFA T r a i n e r ) described previously i n t h e paper by Astronaut Slayton.
The spacecraft movement was smooth and could be c o n t r o l l e d p r e c i s e l y .
J u s t p r i o r t o r e t r o f i r i n g I used t h e periscope f o r general observation.
POSTFLIGHT DEBRIEFING
There are some terms used during t h i s film, which may be confusing.
These terms a r e explained as follows:
co p i l o t p r i o r launch
FREEDOM 7 or 7 p i l o t after l i f t - o f f
TM telemetry
CHASE p i l o t s of t h e chase p l a n e s
TURNAROUND
DROGUE,
SCOPE
MAIN CHUTE DEPLOY. 10:15
Figure 2.