Andrew Patnesky (American, 20th Century)

Description:

Andrew Patnesky (American, 20th Century)
Mission Control, 'We have serious problems here,' Gemini 8, March 1966. Numbered 'NASA S-66-24572' (NASA MSC) in red on the recto u.l. margin, NASA MSC caption on the verso. Vintage chromogenic print on fiber-based Kodak paper with 'A Kodak Paper' watermark on the verso, image size 7 1/4 x 9 1/2 in. (18.3 x 24.0 cm),unmatted.
Condition: Minor wear to corners of sheet.

N.B. Andrew Patnesky was a trusted NASA photographer and a fixture in Mission Control at Houston MSC. 'The flight of Gemini 8 was nearly flawless, the docking maneuver a triumph. Then the venture unraveled. Joined together, the two craft began simultaneously rolling and tumbling end over end at a rapidly increasing rate. Armstrong tried to stabilize them by using his maneuvering thrusters, failed, and undocked. But once free of Agena, Gemini 8 gyrated faster. 'We have serious problems here,' Scott radioed Mission Control. In a final effort, Armstrong deactivated the maneuvering system and fired the reentry maneuvering rockets. The spinning stopped. But the premature firing of the reentry rockets required an immediate splashdown to ensure that the craft would have enough fuel for reentry' (Mason, p. 110).
Estimate $300-500


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