g03_v_bw_o_n (104-KSC-64C-3673) - a photo on Flickriver

“(L to R) GT-3 Prime pilots, Astro. John Young; wearing new Gemini Spacesuit; Gus Grissom, wearing old Mercury Spacesuit, in background is Bad 19. Where Astros will fly from.”

Although written as if by an academically underachieving third grader, it at least references the obvious difference between the pressure suits, although Grissom’s is not from the Mercury Program, it even identifies the launchpad in the background. Being a NASA caption, the bar is necessarily extremely low, so it’s, it’s…stupendous, downright eloquent even!

Young is indeed wearing the David Clark Company (DCC)-manufactured G3C pressure suit. The G3C was an Intravehicular Activity (IVA)-only pressure suit, worn by both of the Astronauts during the Gemini 3 mission. The G3C consisted of six layers of nylon (the innermost containing a rubberized nylon "bladder") with a link net retaining layer and an outer layer of white Nomex fabric. It had removable combat-style boots, also made of Nomex fabric, along with a full-pressure helmet (containing a set of earphones & microphones) and gloves detachable by improved locking rings that allowed easy rotation of the wrists.
Although, in this photograph, Young appears to be wearing the laced G2C gloves, and I think, G2C boots.
Gemini 3 was the only flight to use the G3C suit.

Grissom is wearing the G2C aluminized pressure suit, also manufactured by the DCC. Procured by NASA in 1963, the G2C was the prototype IVA suit for Project Gemini. None were worn/flown during any manned Gemini missions. However, according to one of the sources I came across, a G2C was flown on the unmanned Gemini 2 test flight. The capsule from the flight was recovered (and reflown btw), so I suppose it’s possible.

So, if you come across a photograph of either Grissom or Young, in a Gemini capsule, both/either wearing the G2C suit, and the accompanying description says something to the effect that it’s a launch day photograph – it's wrong.

Pretty beat up, but still glossy, and a wonderful & rarely (I think) seen (at least by me) photograph of the Gemini III crew.

Although I’d expect it, I’m not sure if Grissom & Young conducted training/rehearsals the day the photograph was possibly taken, September 15, 1964. Per “Spaceshots & Snapshots of Project Mercury & Gemini”, by John Bisney & J. L. Pickering, the two conducted an interview with reporters that day, “in a double-wide trailer installed at LC-16 to suit the crew.” So, at least a portion of the day was devoted to public relations activities & possible photo ops. Additionally, per the book "The trailer (which included two bedrooms, a bathroom, and a small kitchen) was used to minimize the crew transfer time since LC-19 was just four hundred yards north of LC-16, a former Titan missile pad. By some accounts, it also satisfied Grissom's desire to keep the media at bay."
Keep in mind, this was to be the first manned Gemini mission.
The above excerpts, along with an excellent photo (amongst many others) of the Astronauts talking to the reporters that day, at/from:

books.google.com/books?id=_CBADAAAQBAJ&pg=PA87&lp...
Credit: Google Books and the aforementioned gentlemen.

This would look to be taken during the same interview:

www.alamy.com/stock-image-gemini-3-prime-crew-young-and-g...

Other sources for my above blathering:

discover.hubpages.com/education/NASA-Project-Gemini-Space...
Credit: “HubPages” website

twitter.com/aisoffice/status/1139062996125343746
Credit: Astro Info Service/Twitter

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gemini_space_suit
Credit: Wikipedia

prezi.com/fvt8tw1su90k/gemini-spacesuits/
Credit: Krish Patel/Prezi website

Finally:

A press release referencing a September 14 announcement by NASA. It might account for Grissom’s expression in my photo. Or maybe somebody just said/asked something stupid:

“NASA Delay Gemini Project

CAPE KENNEDY, Fla. - The National Aeronautics and Space Administration made it official yesterday that there will be no manned flight in Project Gemini this year because of lightning and hurricanes.
It said astronauts Virgil L. Grissom and John W. Young will wait until the first quarter of 1965 to make their planned three-orbit flight. This means a delay of a month or two from the December schedule.
George E. Mueller, NASA associate administrator for manned space flight, gave three reasons for the delay: a lightning strike that damaged a Titan 2 rocket on Aug. 17 and hurricanes Cleo and Dora.
The rocket was being groomed for the final unmanned flight in the Gemini program, an attempt scheduled for late September to propel a fully-equipped spacecraft on a ballistic ride to evaluate re-entry and recovery techniques.”

digital.bentley.umich.edu/midaily/mdp.39015071754316/219
Credit: University of Michigan/”THE MICHIGAN DAILY DIGITAL ARCHIVES” website

Great read:

www.collectspace.com/ubb/Forum29/HTML/001642.html
Credit: collectSPACE website

Taken on: January 31, 2023

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