Records of U.S. Air Force Commands, Activities, and Organizations. 1900 - 2003. Moving Images Relating to Military Aviation Activities. 1947 - 1984. MAJOR COOPER'S MA-9 FLIGHT

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Records of U.S. Air Force Commands, Activities, and Organizations. 1900 - 2003. Moving Images Relating to Military Aviation Activities. 1947 - 1984. MAJOR COOPER'S MA-9 FLIGHT

1963

https://catalog.archives.gov/id/68855

Summary: Film covers Maj L. Gordon Cooper, Jr., attending a technical meeting with representatives of NASA, Aerospace and General Dynamics/Astronautics; witnessing rollout of Atlas 130D; prelaunch activities, launch and programmed flight of Mercury-Atlas 9; and President Kennedy and Vice President Johnson presenting awards to Maj Cooper, NASA, AF and Navy officials at White House ceremonies. (Shot list to follow.) Reel 1, 885': Scenes of technical meeting at General Dynamics/Astronautics, showing audience and participants at table including Maj Charles L. Gandy, Jr., AF Program Officer; Richard W. Keehn, spokesman for GD/A; Charles S. Ames, Program Director GD/A; Scott Simpkinson and Maj L. Gordon Cooper, representing NASA. 114' MCU, LS & CU of Atlas 130D on transporter, rolling out of San Diego plant -- shows astronaut Cooper placing Mercury seal on missile and signing decal - pan right to hand written remarks: LAUNCH THIS WAY, GORDON COOPER PILOT, OK, C. FOWLER T.C. 226' MS of Maj Cooper and military personnel at side of Atlas 130D. 255' Sequence of scenes or technicians working on Atlas in hangar, running tests and checkout of vernier engine at Cape Canaveral. 549' MS to MCU & MS high angle of Atlas on transporter backing up ramp to complex l4 and missile attached to a launcher. 706' MS & MCU's of Maj Cooper as he climbs step to pad and watches erection of Atlas 130D with General Dynamics officials -- C. Fowler is among the group. 785' LS & MS of Atlas 130D being erected in gantry -- shows elevator going up side of gantry. Reel 2, 866': MLS & MS of Atlas 130D being erected in gantry at complex 14. 48' MS of Mercury capsule "Faith 7" as Maj Cooper arrives -- shows him saluting, talking with McDonnell technicians, shaking hands with Lt Comdr Malcom S. Carpenter (USN) and Walter M. Schirra (USN). Includes scenes of Comdr Alan B. Shepard (USN) in white coveralls, Maj Cooper climbing into capsule and hatch being secured (night scene). 345' LS INT blockhouse during countdown and after flight postponement. 521' MS's tracking and static scenes of MA-9 launch showing lift-off and climb (15 May 1963). Reel 548': MLS & LS tracking and static scenes of MA-9 launch (15 May 1963). 194' MS base of Atlas 130D showing ignition of engines and lift-off (static scene). 234' MCU of Pres John F. Kennedy speaking -- Astronauts Shepard and Schirra, Sen Hubert H. Humphrey, and James E. Webb, NASA Administrator in bg. Camera zooms out to show astronaut Grissom, Vice Pres Johnson, Ambassador Adlai Stevenson, Secy of Health, Education and Welfare Anthony J. Celebrezze, Sen Everett M. Dirksen, Maj Cooper's family including his mother; and scenes of Pres Kennedy pinning NASA Distinguished Service Medal on Maj Cooper (2l May 63). 351' Kinescope of NBC coverage of the White House ceremonies showing Pres Kennedy and Vice Pres Johnson presenting awards to Astronaut Cooper, NASA, AF and Navy officials. Other receipients include: James E. Webb (medal and certificate); Maj Gen Leighton I. Davis (NASA medal for outstanding leadership); Maj Gen Ben I. Funk accepting NASA group achievement award in behalf of AF Systems Div; an award to a Navy officer and Floyd L. Thompson holding certificate for outstanding leadership. Also includes scenes of astronauts shaking hands with Pres Kennedy, and Atty Gen Robert Kennedy holding daughter on his shoulder. Good (Basic: Mas pos)

Film Reel

eng, Latn

National Archives at College Park

Information

SNAC Resource ID: 6498032

National Archives at College Park

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