Evening star., 1962-01-27
MERCURY
Cape ConoveroI Crews Are Disappointed
By Fifth Postponement Of Orbit Attempt
Continued From Page Al

the fifth for Col. Glenn's flight.
Originally scheduled for last
December 20, when officials
felt there was a chance of
achieving manned orbit in 1861,
it was put off until January 16
when pressure began mounting
on the launch crews.
Then technical problems with
the Atlas and capsule caused
three subsequent short delays.
Crews Disappointed
The postponement was a bit
ter disappointment to the hun
dreds of technicians, engineers
and scientists involved in the
project.
Also disappointed were more
than 600 newsmen here from
the United States and Is for
eign nations to cover the his
toric firing, big crowds of per-
sons who gathered on the
beaches near the cape, and
millions more across the Ma
ton who were watching on
television when the shot was
called off.
A recovery fleet of "a ships
and so planes strung out across
the Atlantic Ocean from the
cape to the West Coast of Af-
rica will remain on station un-
til the launching is tried again.
Minutes after the postpone
ment was announced, techni-
clans began dumping the vol
atile liquid oxygen from the
Atlas fuel tanks. Great clouds
OF steam rose from the base
OF the rocket as the fuel poured
out.
In Good Spirits
Col. Glenn was reported in
good spirits throughout his
wait. He rested easily and his
breathing was normal.
By normal airline flying
standards the condition of the
sky was not bad. But normal
standards do not apply where
a launch of this Importance is
concerned. Long-range photo
graphic cameras are scattered
along the Florida coast for 100
miles or more. At least half of
these must have a clear view
OF the sky through which the
ascending rocket travels.
AS a rule of thumb, 40 per
cent cloud cover (Which means
two-fifths of the sky cloudy
and three-fifths clear) is about
the maximum that can be toll
Grated. This morning, the
cover was more like 80 per cent.
Col. Glenn awoke at about 2
am. in his quarters in Hangar S.
There was some CONFUSION about
how long he slept last night.
1t. Col. John A. Powers, in
formation officer for the astro-
naut team, said Col. Glenn re-
tired early, about 7 or 8 o'clock.
However, Miss Nancy Lowe,
personal secretary to the astro-
naut team, said the pilot had
worked on check lists and other
business until about II pm.
Alternate Checks Pad.
While Col. Glenn prepared
for his big day, his alternate
pilot, 1t. Comdr. Malcolm S.
Carpenter, inspected the work
going on at launching pad IA:
Col. Glenn breakfasted at
about 2:33 am. He had orange
juice, two poached eggs, a small
steak, toast with jelly and a
coffee substitute made of
cereals.
Following breakfast the as
tronaut underwent a physical
examination and had various
medical electrodes affixed to
his body. Purpose of these was
to assure temperature,
breathing rate and pulse dur
ing the flight.
The Marine test pilot also
received a surprise visit from
the head man of his military
service, Gen. David M. Shoup,
Marine Corps Commandant.
After a thorough physical
checkup, Col. Glenn went
through the Commute ordeal
of getting into his space suit.
This 20-pound garment, which
could protect Col. Glenn even
in the vacuum of space, was
LOST