Technology invades the modern world

Chapter 74 Cape Canaveral Launch Site

According to James Webb's original plan, he was to go to the Cape Canaveral launch site on the east coast of Florida before the official launch in May to make a final mobilization and cheer on the NASA staff on site.

As a non-professional, I can't give any advice now.

But when he learned that there might be problems with the launch, he had to board the special plane to Florida with Lin Ran with a worried mood.

On the morning of March 1961, 3, the sky over Cape Canaveral, Florida, was just beginning to turn pale, and the salty sea breeze blew across the land.

Newly appointed NASA Administrator James Webb and White House Special Assistant for Space Affairs Lin Ran stood in the newly built space launch center. Lin Ran looked calm, while James Webb frowned.

The Redstone rocket on the LC-5 launch pad towered into the clouds, with the silver-white Freedom 7 spacecraft on top, shining in the morning light.

Robert Gilruth, the actual person in charge of the Mercury project, was accompanying him, and engineers were busy shuttling around the launch device, checking the lines and adjusting the equipment.

"Gilruth, this is a spectacular sight." Weber stopped and stared at the rocket, with a hint of emotion in his tone.

Gilruth nodded, his lips curled up slightly: "Director, this is the hard work of our team.

Freedom 7 has been tested hundreds of times, and Redstone rockets have been launched many times without crew. We have done everything we can to ensure everything is ready."

Weber's eyes fell on the booster. The red paint of the Redstone rocket was particularly eye-catching in the sunlight.

"How reliable is the Freedom 7? I heard there were some minor glitches during previous tests."

“We did have some hiccups,” Gilruth admitted, “but we improved the navigation system and reinforced the electrical connections. This time, we’re confident.”

Weber nodded slightly, but he was very nervous. Randolph said there was a problem, Robert Gilruth was full of confidence, and who of you was telling the truth?

This manned space flight is not only a technical issue, but also a symbol of national dignity.

It also directly affects his reform plans at NASA.

While Webb was touring Freedom 7, Lin Ran stayed in the conference room at the launch center. Detailed drawings were spread out on the table, with dense lines marking every detail of the booster and spacecraft.

Kurt Debs, director of launch operations, stood at his desk, tapping his fingers on the surface, clearly confident in his work.

"Kurt, how's the electrical system doing?" Lin Ran asked, pointing to an area on the drawing.

Kurt stepped forward, picked up a pencil, and pointed to the circuit layout on the drawing. "Professor Lin, we discovered some short-circuit risks during early testing. To address this, we redesigned the circuit, added protective devices, and simulated various extreme conditions. Now, the system stability has made a qualitative leap."

Also present at the event, in addition to Kurt Debs, was Rudolf Arthur, who was in charge of improving the propulsion system for the Mercury manned program.

So he was there too.

Rudolf Arthur is eager to improve his relationship with Lin Ran, and he doesn't want Lin Ran and James Webb to disrupt NASA's existing structure.

He then added with a smile: "When we deal with manned spacecraft, we have a comprehensive troubleshooting mechanism, from system testing to data analysis to fault tree analysis, and we troubleshoot faults from multiple aspects.

Make sure the astronauts return safely.

Professor Lin, rest assured, NASA's rigorous attitude and professionalism are as reliable as your own in the field of mathematics."

Kurt's fingers traced the edges of the blueprint, his eyes fixed on the intricate lines—the product of the hard work of NASA engineers and researchers. Lin Ran pretended not to know Rudolf Arthur, but inwardly, he was making sure the blueprint was exactly as he remembered it.

He knew very well that as long as the time was not changed, the launch would result in the same mistake as in history.

James Webb, in the open field, was asking about the astronauts: "Gilruth, how are the astronauts preparing? Alan Shepard, Gus Grissom, and John Glenn, who will be the final flight candidate?"

"If nothing else, it's Alan. He's one of the best pilots," Gilruth replied without hesitation. "His physical and mental qualities are impeccable. He understands the significance of this mission and is ready for the challenge."

Not long after, Weber met Alan Shepard, who was about to write history. Shepard was dressed in training clothes, with an upright posture and a face full of the determination unique to soldiers.

He extended his hand and shook Waver's, feeling a warm and strong touch on his palm.

"Alan, nice to meet you." Weber smiled.

"Commander, it's my honor as well." Sheppard's voice was low and steady.

"How do you feel about this mission?" Weber looked into his eyes, trying to read more from them.

Shepard smiled and said, "I'm excited but also a little nervous, just like taking off in a fighter jet for the first time. But I believe in the team and I believe in Freedom 7. It will take me up and it will take me back."

Shepard is indeed professional.

About 7 minutes and 2 seconds after Freedom 15 was launched in the original space, the spacecraft began to roll to the left at a rate of about 1 degree per second.

The automatic control system failed to correct the problem and the roll rate subsequently increased to approximately 10 degrees per second.

Shepard switched to manual control and successfully stopped the roll.

Fortunately, Shepard was chosen among the three people, otherwise Freedom 7 would definitely have caused an accident.

Weber patted him on the shoulder and said, "You represent America's hope. This time, it might be broadcast live across America."

Shepard nodded and said firmly, "I won't let them down."

Leaving the control center, James Webb and Lin Ran strolled through the streets of Cape Canaveral, once a desolate sandy land, now vibrant with life thanks to the space program.

Military bases and research facilities are lined up one after another, and the air is filled with a mixture of tension and excitement.

Tourists on the roadside craned their necks to look toward the launch pad.

After returning to the private plane, Lin Ran and James Webb sat opposite each other in the helicopter.

"Professor Lin, what's the result?" James Webb asked hurriedly.

"Just as I expected, there are serious problems with Freedom 7's control system that have not been resolved. And they haven't discovered it." Lin Ran whispered in the other person's ear.

"We have to remind them quickly!" James Webb didn't want to see this scene happen during his term of office.

If something went wrong on the first manned space flight, it would be a bigger scandal than live broadcasting a rocket explosion.

(End of this chapter)