Word: fueled
(lookup in dictionary)
(lookup stats)
Dates: during 1960-1969
Sort By: most recent first
(reverse)
Electronic Tag. At Houston's Manned Spacecraft Center, unflappable Chris Kraft every day faced the decision of whether to keep Cooper and Conrad going for still another day. From start to finish, the "go-no go" decision hinged on Gemini's cantankerous fuel cell. A failure in its liquid oxygen supply tank nearly terminated the mission on the first day, and the faulty heating unit that caused the problem never did kick on. As the flight soared into the second day, the oxygen pressure slowly moved upward-and optimism soared at Houston command. "The morning headline," broadcast Kraft...
...short circuit, repaired it with a three-inch-long screwdriver. Conrad fixed a pneumatic belt that was wrapped around his thigh in order to stimulate his heartbeat and circulation. Even when necessary components failed beyond repair, the astronauts managed to accomplish many of their assignments. Although a faulty fuel-cell system prevented them from making their planned rendezvous with another object in space, the astronauts maneuvered their craft with such precision that they could have sought out and entered the orbit of another vehicle...
Most of the space gear stood up well, and much of it did better than anticipated, though malfunctions gave the flight a touch-and-go aura all the way. Two rocket thrusters jammed; the fuel-cell system was a constant problem. But the spacemen were pleasantly surprised by the capabilities of other equipment. Gemini's ultra-high-frequency radio transmitter, for example, showed remarkable clarity. Said Chris Kraft: "We're up there to learn systems performance and how to handle problems-and we're getting a good workout...
...chemical reaction with hydrogen to produce the electricity to run the craft's computer, radar, communications and environment-control systems. For reasons not yet fully understood, the pressure inside the oxygen tank increased as the volume of liquid oxygen decreased while it was being used. Soon the fuel cell was supplying Gemini with all the electricity it needed, and the astronauts began switching their systems back on. Fuel-cell experts had actually underestimated the system's efficiency, were surprised that they could get sufficient power with such low pressure and so little oxygen fueling the cells. Had they...
...mechanical problem cropped up on the fifth day. Two of the eight tiny 25-lb. thrusters jammed. Forced to rely more heavily on the other thrusters, Cooper used up considerable fuel, leaving only 17 Ibs. for the rest of the trip. Ground control suggested that Cooper might indulge in "a couple of rolls and a loop" to celebrate when Gemini 5 cracked the time-in-space record held by Russia's Vostok 5. Cooper said he could not spare the fuel-and besides, "That's all we have been doing all day is rolling and rolling...