This was a huge increase in weight. Newbold's solution was to use every drop of liquid oxygen onboard the Atlas, avoiding any propellant loss while on the pad waiting to launch. Acting as technical support to the Air Force Air Safety Board, he recommended a change in a vent valve to keep the liquid oxygen from boiling off and escaping. Bazyk described himself as apprehensive at Glenn's first launch into space. My fingers were crossed.
Every rocket launch is really a controlled explosion.
He works for another original Mercury program member, Joe Wambolt, associate principal director at the Western Range, Vandenberg Air Force Base. The Aerospace Corporation. All rights reserved. Last modified on March 30, 1999.