Category Archives: Mercury

The Gemini Paraglider on SciAm’s Space Lab

Posted on May 11, 2013 by asteitel

Most regular readers of Vintage Space will know that I’m obsessed with the Gemini Paraglider, the landing system that should have made splashdowns obsolete starting in the early 1960s but (to make a long story short) just couldn’t keep pace … Continue reading →

Posted in Gemini, History of Space Science, Manned Spaceflight, Mercury | Tagged , , , , | 4 Comments

Is Wernher von Braun Spaceflight’s Most Controversial Figure?

Posted on May 9, 2013 by asteitel

That he was responsible for both the deadly Nazi V-2 and NASA’s majestic Saturn V makes Wernher von Braun a controversial historical figure. Some hold that his participation in the Nazi war effort necessitates classifying him as a villain. But … Continue reading →

Posted in Apollo, History of Space Science, Manned Spaceflight, Mercury, Moon, Rockets | 8 Comments

The Redstone in Grand Central Station

Posted on March 24, 2013 by asteitel

This year marks the centennial of Grand Central Station’s completion. In 1913, it stood as an awe-inspiring, Beaux-Arts landmark anchoring New York City’s commuter and long distance traffic in midtown Manhattan. It quickly became one of the most visited spots … Continue reading →

Posted in History of Space Science, Manned Spaceflight, Mercury | 10 Comments

Looking Behind the Legend of Friendship 7

Posted on February 20, 2013 by asteitel

Today marks the anniversary of John Glenn’s Friendship 7 flight, NASA’s first orbital mission that launched on February 20, 1962. Every year the mission is celebrated as the flight that, at least temporarily, leveled the playing field between the Soviets and the … Continue reading →

Posted in Manned Spaceflight, Mercury, Soviet | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments

Schirra’s Stellar Navigation

Posted on January 26, 2013 by asteitel

Simulators have always been an integral part of spaceflight. In the case of the all important reentry and landing phase, simulators were like analogue versions Google Earth: reproductions of landscapes from specific altitudes taught astronauts to look for when lining … Continue reading →

Posted in Manned Spaceflight, Mercury | Tagged , , , , , | 6 Comments

Vintage Space Favourites of 2012

Posted on January 1, 2013 by asteitel

The past twelve months have been very good ones. I’ve met and worked with some incredible people, ventured into the (often awkward) world of podcasts and webcasts, and have read and written more than I ever did in grad school. … Continue reading →

Posted in Apollo, Aviation, Gemini, History of Space Science, Manned Spaceflight, Mercury, Moon, Rockets, Soviet | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Another Use for Rogallo: Saturn Recovery

Posted on October 22, 2012 by asteitel

Regular readers are doubtless aware that I love the Rogallo paraglider wing. NASA had had no shortage of uses for this triangular, two-lobed sail design in the 1960s. It was the system that should have landed the Gemini spacecraft on … Continue reading →

Posted in Apollo, Gemini, History of Space Science, Manned Spaceflight, Mercury | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments