Talk:Gemini 6A/Archive 1

Reentry
The article states "Gemini 6A reentered the next day landing within 18 km of the planned site, the first truly accurate reentry"; however, see Mercury-Atlas 9, where it says "Faith 7 landed just four miles (6 km) from the prime recovery ship, the carrier USS Kearsarge. This was the most accurate landing to date". How is the "accuracy" of Gemini 6A's landing judged? -- Red rose64 (talk) 17:35, 8 January 2010 (UTC)

Accomplishments
Isn't this the first, and so far only, occasion on which there were two USA manned flights of the same type of spacecraft in orbit simultaneously, much less that have rendezvoused with each other? None of the previous craft (Mercury, X-15), nor subsequent craft (Apollo, Space Shuttle) have ever had more than one of that type in orbit at a time, to my knowledge. Does this deserve mention in the article? — Preceding unsigned comment added by 98.87.95.213 (talk) 17:15, 15 August 2013 (UTC)
 * I believe that you're right; but to avoid WP:NOR concerns, we do need to find a reliable source that states as such, per WP:V. -- Red rose64 (talk) 12:03, 16 August 2013 (UTC)
 * Even if true, I think it's a trivial (non-noteable) distinction, or else some reliable source would have surely said so. Isn't the first rendezvous enough of an accomplishment? I think this is the essence of what NOR stands against: projecting our own expectations on history. At the time, NASA was more concerned with overcoming the technical obstacles necessary to get men to the Moon, than the "gee-whiz" factor of having two crews up at once. In fact, they did consider it briefly for a time in early Apollo manned flight planning in 1966, by launching the first manned Apollo simultaneously with the last Gemini. But the difficulties of getting Apollo ready to fly got in the way, and it just wasn't worth it. This is mentioned in the Apollo 1 article. JustinTime55 (talk) 19:19, 19 August 2013 (UTC)

Santa Claus story?
Recently, a maybe well-meaning but misguided anonymous user removed what he probably thought was a hoax, but unfortunately took out the entire Rendezvous section with it. This (unintentional?) vandalism was restored, but it brings up a nagging question: is this for real? Cited source seems to be a 2005 Smithsonian magazine article. I seem to remember perhaps hearing that Schirra played Jingle Bells on the harmonica, but I can't put my finger on it. (As I think about it, I might have heard it on the TIME/LIFE "Man on the Moon" (title?) record set released in 1969.) Schirra was also known for his sense of humor, so this rings true (no pun intended.)  But, the mission was a little bit early for a Santa sighting. Can anyone vouch for this? If so, maybe we should make it a little more clear that Schirra was making the joke so it doesn't get deleted again. JustinTime55 (talk) 21:34, 8 March 2010 (UTC)
 * Unfortunately "I heard it somewhere" doesn't count; that aside, I did hear of this, and certainly before 2005. -- Red rose64 (talk) 22:15, 8 March 2010 (UTC)
 * I remember quite clearly now, it was the Time-Life set To The Moon (listed on the page, but out of print) and I remember the sound of Wally Schirra's harmonica. Thanks, but since the person who added this has already added a link, I'm not going to lose any sleep over it. JustinTime55 (talk) 18:35, 9 March 2010 (UTC)
 * The Santa Claus Story and the harmonica sound seems to be really true. But the story of the first human musical performance in outer space seems not to be reported correctly all the time: it is told that Walter Schirra played a Hohner "Little Lady" harmonica and Tom Stafford accompanied him playing sleigh bells (you even find these instruments paired on a picture from the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum (http://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/christmas-cards-109444898/?c=y%3Fno-ist) - but if I listen to the broadcast (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RmsOmqf7Hso) I cannot hear any bells, but it seems that there is a second melody instrument (another harmonica?), playing the root note "c" and the fifth "g" alternately to add a second melody line to the song. Or am I wrong? Is anybody able to explain? --Thomas Gebhardt (talk) 20:56, 10 November 2014 (UTC)

Schirra did not eject, but the article presently implies that he did
This sentence appears:

"Since the clock had started in the spacecraft, mission rules dictated that Wally Schirra, as the commander, had to immediately pull the D-ring above the center console and activate the ejection seats, carrying the astronauts away from the disaster that would be the result of a fully fueled Titan II falling back onto LC-19."

There is no continuation of this topic. I suggest that it should be followed with the following.

"However, Schirra instead made a judgment call to remain on the ship, because he sensed that no actual liftoff had begun, meaning that there was no danger of descent. His decision permitted a new launch attempt to be attempted almost immediately. Had he (and his crewmate) ejected, ship repair and delay would have ensued." 70.119.141.15 (talk) 07:22, 24 December 2015 (UTC)