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Author
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Topic: Elliot See
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Tom
Member Posts: 1597
From: New York
Registered: Nov 2000
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posted 06-30-2002 10:57 AM
   
Being very interested in the Gemini Program, I enjoyed reading about the crew selection process in Donald Slaytons book "Deke" as well as the new book "Gemini...Steps To The Moon" by David Shayler.
The one thing that surprised me was the crew selection for Gemini 9. Slayton was said to be "not comfortable with See's piloting abilities".
Why would Slayton assign him to command what was probably the most complicated flight in the series (3 rendezvous and dockings, first re-boost to higher orbit using Agena target, first spacewalk with AMU)if his skills were being questioned?
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Robonaut
Member Posts: 259
From: Solihull, West Mids, England
Registered: Mar 2002
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posted 06-30-2002 11:54 AM
I think the answer to Tom's question is contained on page 167 of Deke's book. He wanted Elliot See to get at least one flight and thought Charlie Bassett was "strong enough to carry the two of them". From reading this passage in the book and the relevant part of Dave Shayler's Gemini book I do not believe Deke intended to assign Elliot See to another prime crew although he would have let him back up Gemini 12.I do not think Deke Slayton thought Elliot See was a total 'dead beat'. I am sure he would not have selected him for Gemini 9 if this had been the case. To be fair to Elliot See he had done well enough to have been selected as an astronaut. This may have been a step too far for him but most pilots do not qualify as astronauts. He had flown well over 3000 hours on jets and spent a few years as a naval pilot. Best Wishes Rob W | |
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