Chapter 77: Creating History

May 5, Cape Canaveral launch site, Florida. NASA was preparing to execute its first manned space mission—the launch of the Freedom 7 space capsule.

From the American side's perspective, this was also a milestone moment in American aerospace history.

Although it was a step slower than Soviet Russia, being second in the world was also an honor.

However, on the eve of the launch, an unexpected decision by NASA Administrator James Webb completely changed the original history.

"Sorry, I feel uneasy. In the past, NASA has had too many failure cases, and I am very afraid that this launch will fail again.

In the past, rocket launch failures were only problems with the rocket itself, but this time we have human astronauts. For the sake of conservatism, my opinion is to replace the astronaut with a gorilla," Webb said.

James Webb frowned tightly, looking like he had thought about it seriously.

The NASA executives present looked at each other. It was going to launch tomorrow, and now you tell us you want to replace it with a gorilla?

Gagarin had already been sent into space a month ago; aren't we in a hurry?

Don't we need a successful manned space mission to boost morale?

More importantly, you say you want to replace it with a gorilla now; where are we going to find a gorilla in one day?

There is no zoo in this bird-doesn't-shit place at the Cape Canaveral launch site in Florida.

The opinions at the meeting weren't even a fierce collision; everyone didn't agree with Webb's opinion.

They strongly advocated launching according to the plan, the reason being that postponement would damage America's international reputation, feeling that Webb's worry was completely nonsense.

At this time, Kennedy's voice sounded in the room through the phone:

"I fully support James Webb's opinion; this matter is decided by him."

It wasn't until James Webb had military personnel push the gorilla into the conference room that everyone knew James Webb had premeditated this.

Everyone had known for a long time that the NASA Administrator had changed, and the White House had also sent a Special Assistant for Aerospace Affairs, so there must be a big personnel change internally.

As a result, it had been two months, and James Webb and Lin Ran hadn't made any moves.

They had thought Washington was very satisfied with NASA's work, but they didn't expect that they were waiting for them here.

Everyone's heart hung up; if it really failed, wouldn't their faces be put on the ground and beaten?

NASA's risk control for so many people couldn't beat James Webb's intuition.

Soon the result of the conference room spread throughout NASA. This decision was like a bolt from the blue, shocking everyone, especially Shepard.

As the first astronaut preparing to enter space, Alan Shepard had undergone months of rigorous training, full of expectation and pride.

However, a few hours before the launch, he was summoned to Webb's office. Webb explained with a heavy expression: "Alan, I know this is hard for you to accept, but the rocket has potential risks, and I cannot let our astronauts take risks. We decided to use a gorilla to test safety."

Shepard had actually heard about it long ago; at this time, hearing James Webb tell him personally, his heart was still a mix of five flavors.

He completely couldn't understand Webb's sudden decision.

As an astronaut, his sense of honor and mission made it hard for him to accept.

His dream—becoming the first person in space for America—seemed to be taken away by a gorilla.

He tried hard to suppress his emotions and responded calmly: "Administrator, I believe I can complete the mission; I am already ready."

However, Webb firmly stated that they must be cautious this time; if the gorilla launch was successful, Shepard would soon get the next opportunity.

Leaving the office, Shepard returned to his room alone, his heart surging with waves. He felt angry and disappointed, and even had a trace of humiliation.

On the day of the launch, media from all walks of life were summoned to the Cape Canaveral launch site, including European newspapers.

Everyone had heard about NASA's temporary decision when eating breakfast. When the press conference before the launch was held, the scene was in an uproar, and the reporters' questions were continuous.

Webb explained at the press conference: "We must ensure rocket safety; this is responsibility for future missions. The launch of the gorilla will provide key data."

Lin Ran came out at the right time, placing a transparent glass box on the table, and took the prepared letter out of his suit jacket pocket:

"Everyone, I hope that under your witness, you watch me put this letter into this transparent box.

This letter explains the reason why we want to replace the human astronaut with a gorilla.

After the launch ends, it will be opened by everyone together."

After speaking, Lin Ran stuffed the letter into the box, and the discussion at the scene became even louder.

Those who could come here were all senior reporters, and they had never seen this kind of scene before.

The engineers at NASA were even more panicked, not knowing what kind of mischief the new administrator and the special assistant for space affairs were up to.

Throughout the morning, the atmosphere at the launch site was tense, heavy, and eerie.

Shepard stood in the observation area, staring at the Redstone rocket carrying the gorilla.

He hoped the launch would be successful to prove the rocket was safe so he could regain the opportunity as soon as possible; at the same time, he vaguely felt something was wrong.

At 9:34, the rocket ignited and lifted off, the roaring sound deafening. It successfully entered a high altitude of 187 kilometers, and then the automatic control system began to have problems.

Only 2 minutes and 15 seconds after entering the scheduled orbit, the spacecraft began to roll to the left uncontrollably.

"Not good! The spacecraft is rolling to the left, the roll rate is about 1 degree per second, ASCS cannot correct this problem!"

"The roll rate is increasing."

"The speed has increased to 10 degrees per second, ASCS is completely out of control!"

"There must be a component failure in the control system!"

"It's over!"

The ground control center was in a mess; they watched from real-time monitoring as the Freedom 7 spacecraft lost control, and then burned up when re-entering the atmosphere, subsequently crashing in the atmosphere.

Because if the spacecraft couldn't ensure the correct attitude to fly back into the atmosphere, then the heat shield couldn't protect the spacecraft, and the spacecraft would burn up or disintegrate under high temperature.

Robert Gilruth in the control center was already numb.

The spacecraft really had a problem.

And after James Webb learned the news, he announced loudly:

"Just now, news came from NASA's control center that this Freedom 7 spacecraft launch failed and unfortunately burned up during the process of returning to the atmosphere.

Everyone should be able to find photos of it disintegrating in the air from aerospace enthusiasts later.

Or you can wait for NASA's official photos to be provided to everyone."

James Webb continued: "Our timely discovery avoided an accident and protected the astronaut's life.

Next, Professor Lin will introduce the ins and outs of this incident to everyone, and it is also time to open the letter we prepared at the beginning." ===== CHAPTER 78 =====