GLENN MA-6 SCANS0036
Here's where the confusion got started. At a Ground Elapsed Time of 00:05:30 into the mission, Al Shepard (Capcom in Mercury Control) informs Glenn that the first "quick look" data from the downrange tracking stations indicates he has more than enough velocity to remain in orbit for the planned duration of his three orbit flight. This is done to free up the astronaut to begin his orbital operations, instead of making preparations for an immediate return to earth. The Atlas was just barely powerful enough to orbit the Mercury spacecraft...IF it performed at maximum efficiency. There was always a concern that some small discrepancy in booster performance could result in a lower speed or altitude than was required. Therefore, the mission rules called for an immediate Go/No-Go decision to be passed to the pilot, right after the data came in from the tracking stations on the Atlantic Missile Range. In the case of Atlas 109-D, the velocity margin was wide enough to state that, with no retrofire, Friendship Seven would orbit at least seven times, before the orbit decayed enough to institute a fall back to earth. As shown in the first document in this image series, the MA-6 mission was NEVER planned for more than three orbits.
Once "The Right Stuff" wrongfully told the public that Glenn's mission had been cut short, this UTTERLY FALSE piece of Hollywood nonsense has become accepted as fact.
PLEASE HELP TO QUASH THIS BS, whenever someone repeats it to you. History needs to be based on fact, not Hollywood fantasy.
GLENN MA-6 SCANS0036
Here's where the confusion got started. At a Ground Elapsed Time of 00:05:30 into the mission, Al Shepard (Capcom in Mercury Control) informs Glenn that the first "quick look" data from the downrange tracking stations indicates he has more than enough velocity to remain in orbit for the planned duration of his three orbit flight. This is done to free up the astronaut to begin his orbital operations, instead of making preparations for an immediate return to earth. The Atlas was just barely powerful enough to orbit the Mercury spacecraft...IF it performed at maximum efficiency. There was always a concern that some small discrepancy in booster performance could result in a lower speed or altitude than was required. Therefore, the mission rules called for an immediate Go/No-Go decision to be passed to the pilot, right after the data came in from the tracking stations on the Atlantic Missile Range. In the case of Atlas 109-D, the velocity margin was wide enough to state that, with no retrofire, Friendship Seven would orbit at least seven times, before the orbit decayed enough to institute a fall back to earth. As shown in the first document in this image series, the MA-6 mission was NEVER planned for more than three orbits.
Once "The Right Stuff" wrongfully told the public that Glenn's mission had been cut short, this UTTERLY FALSE piece of Hollywood nonsense has become accepted as fact.
PLEASE HELP TO QUASH THIS BS, whenever someone repeats it to you. History needs to be based on fact, not Hollywood fantasy.