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Astronaut Virgil ?Gus? Grissom approaches his Redstone ?
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Astronaut Virgil ?Gus? Grissom approaches his Redstone ?
Astronaut Virgil ?Gus? Grissom approaches his Redstone rocket at Cape Canaveral prior to his delayed flight which was cancelled due to bad weather, 19 July 1961. Date: 1961
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Media ID 18387954
© The Royal Aeronautical Society (National Aerospace Library)/Mary Evans Picture Library
1961 Approaches Astronaut Canaveral Cancelled Cape Delayed Grissom Prior Redstone Rocket Virgil Aeronautics
EDITORS COMMENTS
In this evocative black-and-white photograph, Astronaut Virgil "Gus" Grissom stands before the towering Redstone rocket at Cape Canaveral, Florida, on July 19, 1961. The date would go down in history as a significant one for the American space program, but for Grissom, it marked the delayed launch of his mission, which ultimately ended up being cancelled due to inclement weather. Grissom, a decorated military officer and one of the original Mercury Seven astronauts, is seen here in his element, dressed in his iconic white pressure suit and helmet, gazing intently at the rocket that would carry him into space. The Redstone, a powerful and versatile rocket, had already made history by launching the first American satellite, Explorer 1, in 1958. Now, it was poised to take Grissom on a suborbital flight, the second manned mission in the Mercury program following Alan Shepard's historic suborbital flight in May 1961. However, the weather gods had other plans. The countdown had begun, but a sudden storm system moved in, forcing NASA to call off the launch. Grissom, like his fellow astronauts, would have to wait for another opportunity to take to the stars. But even in the face of delay and disappointment, Grissom's determination and focus are palpable in this image, a testament to the indomitable spirit of the early space age. This photograph captures a pivotal moment in the history of aeronautical exploration, and serves as a poignant reminder of the courage and perseverance required to push the boundaries of human achievement.
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