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The hatch that blew a bruise into Schirra's hand bought twelve seconds
A Gemini mission hears engines fail on the pad; astronaut Wally Schirra must decide in twelve seconds-did they make it in time?
The hatch that blew a bruise into Schirra's hand bought twelve seconds
In this episode, we follow the moments that led a disciplined test pilot to a split‑second choice on a fully fueled rocket pad. We trace his upbringing, career, and the specific incident that forced an unlisted decision-and ask what happens next.
Person: Wally Schirra
Event: Gemini 6A pad ignition abort, December 12, 1965
Location: Launch Complex 19, Cape Kennedy
Period: 1962-1965
Topic: launch…
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