A Great Trip in a Sweet Bird
Cape Canaveral (Fla.)
Cape Canaveral Air Force Station (Fla.)
National Aeronautics and Space Administration (U.S.)
NASA
Project Mercury (U.S.)
Air Force
A newspaper article published by <em>The </em><em>Plattsburgh Press-Republican</em> on October 4, 1962. Dr. Calvin D. Fowler was the manager of Cape Canaveral Air Force Station Launch Complex 14 during the final three launches of Project Mercury. In this newspaper photograph, he is shown sitting at the Launch Conductor's console in the blockhouse at Launch Complex 14 (LC-14), launching <span><span>Wally Schirra (1923-2007)</span></span>'s Mercury-Atlas rocket, named Sigma 7, into space. Dr. Fowler would go on to do the same for Gordon Cooper (1927-2004).
Original newspaper article: "A Great Trip in a Sweet Bird." <a href="http://www.pressrepublican.com/" target="_blank"><em>The Plattsburgh Press-Republican</em></a>, Vol. LXIX, no. 45, October 4, 1962: Private Collection of Dr. Calvin D. Fowler.
<a href="http://www.pressrepublican.com/" target="_blank"><em>The Plattsburgh Press-Republican</em></a>
Fowler, Calvin D.
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Cape Canaveral Air Force Station Launch Complex 14 Blockhouse, Cape Canaveral, Florida
Astronaut Gordon Cooper and Dr. Calvin D. Fowler Signing Rocket
Cape Canaveral (Fla.)
Cape Canaveral Air Force Station (Fla.)
National Aeronautics and Space Administration (U.S.)
NASA
Atlas (Missile)
Astronauts--United States
Gordon Cooper (1927-2004) and Cape Canaveral Air Force Station Launch Complex 14 launch manager Dr. Calvin D. Fowler sign the Atlas rocket, which would launch <em>Faith 7</em> into orbit. Dr. Fowler and Cooper were at the General Dynamics/Astronautics factory in San Diego, California, to accept the Atlas booster. Cooper was to be the final astronaut of Project Mercury, as it paved the way for Project Gemini. Dr. Fowler would manage the spacecraft preparation and ignite the Atlas launch vehicle. Cooper would become, for a short time, the space endurance record holder.
Original black and white photographic print, April 1963: Private Collection of Dr. Calvin D. Fowler.
Fowler, Calvin D.
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General Dynamics/Astronautics Factory, San Diego, California
Cape Canaveral Air Force Station Launch Complex 14, Cape Canaveral, Florida
Astronaut Gordon Cooper at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station Launch Complex 14 Launchpad
Cape Canaveral (Fla.)
Cape Canaveral Air Force Station (Fla.)
National Aeronautics and Space Administration (U.S.)
NASA
Astronauts--United States
While visiting the Cape Canaveral Air Force Station Launch Complex 14 Launchpad before the launch of the Faith 7 Mercury-Atlas mission, astronaut Astronaut listens to Günter Wendt (1923-2010) of McDonnell Aircraft Corporation, the man who supervised spacecraft preparation on the launchpad. Wendt was famous for his meticulous standards, which won the trust of the astronauts.<br /><br />General Dynamics/Astronautics Operations Manager B. G. MacNabb is seen in the center of the first photograph. In the second photograph, MacNabb is pictured on the left, Wendt is seen in the center, and Cape Canaveral Air Force Station Launch Complex 14 Manager Dr. Calvin D. Fowler is photographed on the right.
Original black and white photographic print: Private Collection of Dr. Calvin D. Fowler.
Fowler, Calvin D.
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Cape Canaveral Air Force Station Launch Complex 14 Launch Site, Cape Canaveral, Florida
Astronaut Gordon Cooper with Management Team at the Cape Canaveral Air Force Station Launch Complex 14
Cape Canaveral (Fla.)
Cape Canaveral Air Force Station (Fla.)
National Aeronautics and Space Administration (U.S.)
NASA
Astronauts--United States
Project Mercury (U.S.)
In the first photograph, astronaut Gordon Cooper (1927-2004), pictured in the center, standing with National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) managers on the right and contractor managers on the left. Then men are pictured in front of the unassembled Mercury-Atlas vehicle at the launch site at the Cape Canaveral Air Force Station Launch Complex 14. B. G. MacNabb, General Dynamics/Astronautics director of operations, is standing on the far left. <br /><br />When the Mercury 7 astronauts, such as Cooper, visited the launch site, they wore distinctively colored helmets so that they could be identified at a distance. Cooper, on such a visit before his flight, is viewing the unerected Atlas rocket from the gantry in the second photograph. The Atlas was America's first rocket capable of lifting a man into orbit. Faith 7's Atlas booster eventually lifted it into orbit, allowing Cooper to circle the Earth 22.5 times.
Original black and white photographic print, April 1963: Private Collection of Dr. Calvin D. Fowler.
Fowler, Calvin D.
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Cape Canaveral Air Force Station Launch Complex 14 Launch Site, Cape Canaveral, Florida
Astronaut Wally Schirra and B. G. MacNabb
Cape Canaveral (Fla.)
Cape Canaveral Air Force Station (Fla.)
National Aeronautics and Space Administration (U.S.)
NASA
Astronauts--United States
Astronaut Wally Schirra (1923-2007) named his boat <em>Sigma 7</em>, after the spacecraft which took him into orbit. In the photograph, Schirra shows the watercraft to General Dynamics/Astronautics director of operations B. G. MacNabb at what is believed to be Cape Canaveral Air Force Station's industrial area near Hangar S.
Original black and white photographic print, October 1962: Private Collection of Dr. Calvin D. Fowler.
Fowler, Calvin D.
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Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Cape Canaveral, Florida
Astronauts' Biggest 'Booster': Button Pusher with Prime Job
Cape Canaveral (Fla.)
Cape Canaveral Air Force Station (Fla.)
National Aeronautics and Space Administration (U.S.)
NASA
Project Mercury (U.S.)
Astronauts--United States
A newspaper article by Peter Reich published in <em>The Chicago's American</em>. The article provides a contemporaneous account of Dr. Calvin D. Fowler, manager of Cape Canaveral Air Force Station Launch Complex 14 (LC-14) and launch conductor, whose job was launching astronaut Gordon Cooper into space on a Project Mercury rocket.
Reich, Peter
Original newspaper article: Reich, Peter. "Astronauts' Biggest 'Booster': Button Pusher with Prime Job." <a href="http://www.chicagotribune.com/" target="_blank"><em>The Chicago's American</em></a>, May 9, 1963: Private Collection of Dr. Calvin D. Fowler.
<a href="http://www.chicagotribune.com/" target="_blank"><em>The Chicago's American</em></a>
Fowler, Calvin D.
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Cape Canaveral Air Force Station Launch Complex 14, Cape Canaveral, Florida
General Dynamics/Astronautics, San Diego, California
B. G. MacNabb with Astronaut Gordon Cooper
Cape Canaveral (Fla.)
Cape Canaveral Air Force Station (Fla.)
National Aeronautics and Space Administration (U.S.)
NASA
Astronauts--United States
B. G. MacNabb, General Dynamics/Astronautics director of operations, greeting Mercury 7 astronaut Gordon Cooper (1927-2004) during a practice, the day before a launch was scrubbed or launch day at the launchpad at the Cape Canaveral Air Force Station Launch Complex 14. Cooper, walking in his air conditioned space suit, was scheduled to embark on his 22.5-orbit mission. This photograph was also signed by Cooper.
Original black and white photographic print: Private Collection of Dr. Calvin D. Fowler.
Fowler, Calvin D.
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Cape Canaveral Air Force Station Launch Complex 14 Launch Site, Cape Canaveral, Florida
Cal Fowler and Others at the Cape Canaveral Air Force Station Launch Complex 14
Cape Canaveral (Fla.)
Cape Canaveral Air Force Station (Fla.)
National Aeronautics and Space Administration (U.S.)
NASA
Project Mercury (U.S.)
Dr. Calvin D. Fowler with others at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station Launch Complex 14 (LC-14). Dr. Fowler is photographed second from the right. Dr. Fowler was the manager of Cape Canaveral Air Force Station Launch Complex 14 during the final three launches of Project Mercury. From the blockhouse at Complex 14, after confirming the mission was a go, Dr. Fowler pressed the button to launch Wally Schirra (1923-2007), Scott Carpenter (1925-2013) and Gordon Cooper (1927-2004) into space aboard their respective rockets. He is pictured chatting with workers at the launch site.
Original black and white photographic print: Private Collection of Dr. Calvin D. Fowler.
Fowler, Calvin D.
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Cape Canaveral Air Force Station Launch Complex 14, Cape Canaveral, Florida
Cape Canaveral Air Force Station Launch Complex 13 Launch Tote Board
Cape Canaveral (Fla.)
Cape Canaveral Air Force Station (Fla.)
National Aeronautics and Space Administration (U.S.)
NASA
Cape Canaveral Air Force Station Launch Complex 13 (LC-13) was the sister site of Cape Canaveral Air Force Station Launch Complex 14 (LC-14) and was used for unmanned Atlas intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBM), rocket tests, and Atlas-Agena launches. As was the tradition, a launch tote board, posted at the blockhouse, listing the launches and rocket configurations was typical for launch sites.
Original black and white photographic print: Private Collection of Dr. Calvin D. Fowler.
Fowler, Calvin D.
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Cape Canaveral Air Force Station Launch Complex 13 Blockhouse, Cape Canaveral, Florida
Dr. Calvin D. Fowler and Wayne Reid at Launch Conductor's Workstation in Cape Canaveral Air Force Station Launch Complex 14
Cape Canaveral (Fla.)
Cape Canaveral Air Force Station (Fla.)
National Aeronautics and Space Administration (U.S.)
NASA
<span><span>Dr. Calvin D. Fowler</span></span> sitting at the Cape Canaveral Air Force Station Launch Complex 14's Launch Conductor's workstation, is depicted ghere with Wayne Reid, of the Aerospace Corporation, around the time of Wally Schirra's (1923-2007) <em>Sigma 7</em> launch.
Original black and white photographic print: Private Collection of Dr. Calvin D. Fowler.
Fowler, Calvin D.
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Cape Canaveral Air Force Station Launch Complex 14 Blockhouse, Cape Canaveral, Florida
Dr. Calvin D. Fowler Exiting Cape Canaveral Air Force Station Launch Complex 14 Blockhouse
Cape Canaveral (Fla.)
Cape Canaveral Air Force Station (Fla.)
National Aeronautics and Space Administration (U.S.)
NASA
Dr. Calvin D. Fowler and an unidentified person exiting the Cape Canaveral Air Force Station Launch Complex 14 Blockhouse. The tote board, which recorded the launches from Launch Complex 14 (Lc-14), can be seen above them.
Original black and white photographic print: Private Collection of Dr. Calvin D. Fowler.
Fowler, Calvin D.
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Cape Canaveral Air Force Station Launch Complex 14 Blockhouse, Cape Canaveral, Florida
GD/Astro Greeters See Kennedy on Cape Trip
Cape Canaveral (Fla.)
Cape Canaveral Air Force Station (Fla.)
National Aeronautics and Space Administration (U.S.)
Project Mercury (U.S.)
Presidents--United States
Astronauts--United States
A newspaper article on President John F. Kennedy (1917-1963)'s visit to Cape Canaveral Air Force Station Launch Complex 14 (LC-14) on September 11, 1962. Presidents typically use such visits to gain firsthand understanding of important programs. President Kennedy toured the Cape Canaveral launch facilities the day before he announced the project to place a man on the Moon.
Original newspaper article: "GD/Astro Greeters See Kennedy on Cape Trip." September 11, 1962: Private Collection of Dr. Calvin D. Fowler.
Fowler, Calvin D.
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Cape Canaveral Air Force Station Skid Strip, Cape Canaveral, Florida
Cape Canaveral Air Force Station Launch Complex 14, Cape Canaveral, Florida
Launch Crew Members in Front of Sigma 7 Mercury-Atlas Launch Vehicle at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station Launch Complex 14
Cape Canaveral (Fla.)
Cape Canaveral Air Force Station (Fla.)
National Aeronautics and Space Administration (U.S.)
NASA
A group of launch crew members in front of the Sigma 7 Mercury-Atlas launch vehicle at the Cape Canaveral Air Force Station Launch Complex 14 Launchpad. Photographed, from the left to right, is: an unidentified individual, of Pan American Safety
Don Pechi, Complex Superintendent for Pan American
Jim Storky, Complex Engineer
Charlie Hodsden, Quality Control Supervisor
Calvin "Cal" D. Fowler, General Dynamics Launch Complex 14 Manager
George P. (last name unidentified), Missile Engineer
Nancy (last name unidentified), Secretary for Pan American
John Filer, Pad Supervisor for Pan American
(first name unidentified) Whitehurst, Second Lieutenant for the U.S. Air Force's 6555th Aerospace Test Group
(first name unidentified) Watson, Pa Supervisor for Pan American
Art Franklin, Complex Supervisor for the National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Mel Honeycutt, First Lieutenant for the Air Force's 6555th
and (first name unidentified) Meatti, Foreman for the General Dynamics Complex.
Original black and white photographic print, October 8, 1962: Private Collection of Dr. Calvin "Cal" D. Fowler.
Fowler, Calvin "Cal" D.
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Cape Canaveral Air Force Station Launch Complex 14 Launch Site, Cape Canaveral, Florida
Letter from General Ben I. Funk to Dr. Calvin D. Fowler (May 14, 1963)
Cape Canaveral (Fla.)
Cape Canaveral Air Force Station (Fla.)
National Aeronautics and Space Administration (U.S.)
NASA
Air Force
Project Mercury (U.S.)
After the successful completion of the final manned Mercury-Atlas flight (MA-9), General Ben I. Funk (b. 1913), who was the U.S. Air Force general in charge of manned rocket development, sent this letter of commendation to Dr. Calvin D. Fowler, who was the manager and the Launch Conductor for Cape Canaveral Air Force Station Launch Complex 14 (LC-14) on the final three Project Mercury flights. Dr. Fowler was tasked with pushing the button in the blockhouse to initiate the rocket's ignition. He was also responsible for the rocket's preparation and safety. Astronauts Scott Carpenter (1925-2013), Wally Schirra (1923-2007), and Gordon Cooper (1927-2004) successfully completed their missions because of Dr. Fowler's General Dynamics/Astronautics team preparation.
Funk, Ben Ivan
Original 1-page typewritten letter from Ben I. Funk to Dr. Calvin D. Fowler, May 14, 1963: Private Collection of Dr. Calvin D. Fowler.
Fowler, Calvin D.
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Space Systems Division Headquarters, Air Force Systems Command, United States Air Force, El Segundo, California
General Dynamics/Astronautics, Cocoa Beach, Florida
Cape Canaveral Air Force Station Launch Complex 14, Cape Canaveral, Florida
Pre-Launch Meeting
Cape Canaveral (Fla.)
Cape Canaveral Air Force Station (Fla.)
National Aeronautics and Space Administration (U.S.)
NASA
Air Force
Project Mercury (U.S.)
A newspaper article about a meeting that occurred on October 9, 1962, before the launch of Walter "Wally" Marty Schirra, Jr. in Sigma 7 between representatives of the Aerospace Corporation; the Burroughs Corporation; Rocketdyne, Inc.; General Dynamics/Astronautics; McDonnell Aircraft Corporation; General Electric Company; the U.S. Air Force (USAF); and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NAS). Photographed, from left to right, are Jack Wiegand of the Aerospace Corporation; George Liner of the Burroughs Corporation; Major C. J. McCarthy of the Air Force's 6555th Aerospace Test Group; Lee Solid of Rocketdyne, Inc.; Major J. R. Mullady of the 6555th, Dr. Calvin D. Fowler of General Dynamics/Astronautics; Porter Brown of NASA; Ralph Gendielle of the McDonnell Aircraft Corporation; and John Savarie of General Electric Company. The racks of electronics and control consoles provides the backdrop.
Original newspaper article: "Pre-Launch Meeting." October 9, 1962: Private Collection of Dr. Calvin "Cal" D. Fowler.
Fowler, Calvin D.
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Cape Canaveral Air Force Station Launch Complex 14, Cape Canaveral, Florida
President John F. Kennedy with B. G. MacNabb at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station Launch Complex 14
Cape Canaveral (Fla.)
Cape Canaveral Air Force Station (Fla.)
National Aeronautics and Space Administration (U.S.)
NASA
Presidents--United States
During one visit to the Cape Canaveral Air Force Station Launch Complex 14, President John F. Kennedy (1917-1963) talking with General Dynamics/Astronautics director of operations B. G. MacNabb. Launch Complex 14 (LC-14) manager Dr. Calvin D. Fowler can be seen to the right, behind the police officer in the foreground.
Original black and white photographic print: Private Collection of Dr. Calvin D. Fowler.
Fowler, Calvin D.
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Cape Canaveral Air Force Station Launch Complex 14 Launch Site, Cape Canaveral, Florida