Splashing down. Astronauts Gus Grissom & John Young sit within their Gemini 3 capsule nicknamed ‘Molly Brown’ following splashdown of the first crewed mission of Project Gemini, March 1965. The pair had just completed 3 orbits about Earth over a near 5-hour period. G3 was the first US space mission with 2 astronauts & also the first in which thrusters were fired by the crew to change the size & shape of their orbit. This was an important step in spacecraft maneuverability essential for a potential future moon landing. Following G3, Mission Control moved from Cape Kennedy to Houston, Texas.
Dynamic duo. Astronauts John Young & Gus Grissom stand by ‘Molly Brown’, their Gemini 3 capsule aboard the USS Intrepid following their successful flight. The March 1963 mission completed 3 orbits about Earth & was the first duo space flight by NASA & first crewed flight of Project Gemini. The flight lasted 4 hours & 52 minutes. Backup crew for the mission were Wally Schirra & Tom Stafford. The original crew were to be Alan Shepard & Stafford until an inner ear disorder grounded Shepard. He’d have to wait until Apollo 14 when he got to walk on the moon at 47 years of age. Something nice to look forward to.
(18 Oct. 1966) — The Apollo 1 prime crewmembers for the first manned Apollo Mission (204) prepare to enter their spacecraft inside the altitude chamber at the Kennedy Space Center (KSC). Entering the hatch is astronaut Virgil I. Grissom, commander; behind him is astronaut Roger B. Chaffee, lunar module pilot; standing at the left with chamber technicians is astronaut Edward H. White II, command module pilot.
Close-up view of the interior of Apollo Spacecraft 012 Command Module at Pad 34 showing the effects of the intense heat of the flash fire which killed the prime crew of the Apollo 1 mission.
(August 1966) — The three crew members for the Apollo-Saturn 204 (AS-204) mission check out the couch installation on the Apollo Command Module (CM) at North American’s Downey facility. Left to right in their pressurized space suits are astronauts Virgil I. Grissom, Roger B. Chaffee and Edward H. White II. Editor’s Note: The three astronauts died in a fire on the launch pad, Jan. 27, 1967.
The prime crew of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration’s (NASA) first manned Apollo Space Flight, named on March 21, 1966, are pictured during training in Florida. Left to right are astronauts Virgil I. Grissom, Edward H. White II, and Roger B. Chaffee.
The new Apollo 1 monument in Arlington National Cemetery was officially dedicated today, June 2, 2022. Several family members were in attendance, including Gus’ brother and Roger’s daughter.
Technicians from the McDonnell Aircraft Corporation, which was responsible for producing the Gemini capsule, make final inspections to the Gemini III spacecraft. The photo is taken in the white room, a sterile environment where the spacecraft was prepared for launch, atop the Titan launch vehicle at Pad 19 at the Kennedy Space Center. Gus Grissom and John Young would ride the spacecraft into orbit for the first Gemini mission on a five-hour trip into space on March 23, 1965.
Happy birthday, Gus. Always my favorite star voyager, from the first day I learned about these people we call astronauts to every day that has followed.
You were always looking for the faster, stronger, better way to get from one place to another — cars, bikes, planes, boats, rockets (and your beloved, ridiculous Paresev that the other Mercury guys couldn’t stand). How fitting then, that when I look back on the last five years, I can see how clearly you helped me get from here to there, the places I was to where I needed to go.
You’ve been gone now so much longer than you were here, but since you were born on this day in 1926, you’ve brought so much light to your family, your friends, every single person who has looked up to your example of good work and courage and taking care of the people you love — not just for your almost 41 years of life but every day since your passing, too. Every step we make into the universe is because of and for you.
Love you, bubba. Happy birthday to my fuckin’ A, the good luck guy, our Gus.
Not related to the Soviet space program, but I wanted to make this post because Roger Chaffee has a special place in my heart. Today marks the 84th birthday of astronaut Roger Chaffee. Although he died over 50 years ago, he will always be remembered in our hearts and his legacy will live in. We hope that now he’s gotten his chance to fly out of this world and travel to the moon and other planets. Rest easy and fly high, Roger.
