Gus Grissom named the ship "Molly Brown" after the Broadway show, "The Unsinkable Molly Brown." This was a self-deprecating joke pointing out that this capsule would not sink unlike his Mercury ship. NASA, with no sense of humor, then cancelled all future naming of space capsules until Apollo when it became necessary since there were now 2 space craft, the LM and the CSM.
I have a copy of the book "Gemini!" by Col.Virgil I."Gus" Grissom that was completed just weeks before his death in January 1967. It's a fascinating read, if you can still find a copy.
@DAngelo136 Picked up a used copy from a bookstore not far from where I live. Bit pricey because it is an old and rare book but worth it if you're really into space and astronauts.
@Chew1964 Propellant for the Titan II differs from those used in the Atlas booster employed in Mercury, and the S1C first stage of the Saturn V used in Apollo.
The Titan II burns a mixture of hydrazine and unsymmetrical dimethylhydrazine fuel with nitrogen tetroxide as oxidizer.
The Atlas and S1C burn a highly refined kerosene-type fuel designated RP-1 with liquid oxygen. The RP-1 burns with a highly luminous flame.
thanx for the comment CM. Yes things certainly moved along at a frantic pace after this flight. Hard to imagine that it was only just over 4 years after this that Apollo 11 landed!
Gus Grissom named the ship "Molly Brown" after the Broadway show, "The Unsinkable Molly Brown." This was a self-deprecating joke pointing out that this capsule would not sink unlike his Mercury ship. NASA, with no sense of humor, then cancelled all future naming of space capsules until Apollo when it became necessary since there were now 2 space craft, the LM and the CSM.
Woody615 1 week ago
Unsinkable Molly Brown....Ha!
furyiiiplate 3 months ago
I have a copy of the book "Gemini!" by Col.Virgil I."Gus" Grissom that was completed just weeks before his death in January 1967. It's a fascinating read, if you can still find a copy.
DAngelo136 1 year ago
@DAngelo136 Picked up a used copy from a bookstore not far from where I live. Bit pricey because it is an old and rare book but worth it if you're really into space and astronauts.
squidoogeek 11 months ago
Hey! The exhaust is almost transparent!!1!
Chew1964 1 year ago
@Chew1964 Propellant for the Titan II differs from those used in the Atlas booster employed in Mercury, and the S1C first stage of the Saturn V used in Apollo.
The Titan II burns a mixture of hydrazine and unsymmetrical dimethylhydrazine fuel with nitrogen tetroxide as oxidizer.
The Atlas and S1C burn a highly refined kerosene-type fuel designated RP-1 with liquid oxygen. The RP-1 burns with a highly luminous flame.
Mikey300 11 months ago
John Young rolling in the Molly Brown
arealmench 1 year ago
I'll have a corned beef on rye....
irish89055 1 year ago 2
Thank you for posting this launch film. It is good to see. We were still a long way from the moon. My how things progressed after this launch!!!
cmpilot 1 year ago
thanx for the comment CM. Yes things certainly moved along at a frantic pace after this flight. Hard to imagine that it was only just over 4 years after this that Apollo 11 landed!
lunarmodule5 1 year ago