Gus Grissom and the Liberty Bell 7: Fact or Fiction?

Introduction

In1961, NASA's Mercury program took a significant leap towards themoonwithAstronaut Gus Grissomin his Liberty Bell 7 capsule. However, the mission ended in controversy when the hatch was prematurely blown, causing the capsule to sink. This article delves into the real events surrounding this incident and explores the possible causes and implications for future space missions.

Error or Emergency?

Inthedocumentary“The Right Stuff,”Gus Grissom reported that thecapsulewas taking on water after splashdown. In a moment of panic, he pulled the hatch's explosive bolts to exit thespacecraft, resulting in the hatch blowing off prematurely, and the capsule sinking to theoceanfloor. The capsule was later recovered from the Atlantic in 1999.

Grissomfaced criticism for his actions, with some suggesting a reckless attitude. However, in recent years, it has been widely understood that the hatch design was flawed, contributing to the incident. Grissom’s actions were a response to a critical situation rather than a mistake.

Static Electricity and the Arch Theory

Not likelywasGus Grissompanicked or blew the hatch prematurely. The most probable cause was static electricity from the ocean. A member of the rescue team touched the long 22-ftwhip antennaattached to the top of the Liberty Bell 7 with a cutting device, causing an electrical arc that likely blew the hatch off.

The Test Pilots’ Insight

For a period after the flight, there was mixed speculation regarding whether there was a malfunction in the hatch pyrotechnic system or if Gus triggered it accidentally. Somethinnedveiledaccusationswere made suggesting a panic reaction on the part of Grissom. Most of those who knewGusbelieved in a different explanation. A fellow named Sam Beddingfield, a mechanical/pyro specialist, delved into the issue and documented two scenarios that could have caused thepyrotechnicsystem to actuate without effort by Grissom. These findings were well documented and were noted bythe brass,).

Wally Schirra, another Mercury crewman, conducted tests and demonstrated that the effort required to actuate the hatch pyros from the cockpit left abruiseon the hand/arm. This further supported the theory that the incident was not a simple mistake but a response to a critical situation.

The Mystery of Qualification Testing

Liberty Bell 7was recovered from the bottom of the Atlantic in recent years. Despite extensive examination, the hardware evidence did not provide clear insights into what actually happened. Notably, Sam Beddingfield, prior to his passing, mentioned that he had never found qualification testing records for the pyrotechnic hatch. This raises the intriguing possibility that noqualificationtestingwas done. If true, this would cast a shadow of doubt on the reliability and design of the hatch system.

Historically, ‘explosive hatches’ had not been subjected to thespace launch/flight/recovery environmentin any previous application. Qualification testing, a mandatory procedure before new hardware flies, can often uncover issues that are not anticipated. The absence of such records further emphasizes the need for stringent safety measures in aerospace engineering.

In conclusion, the Liberty Bell 7 incident highlights the importance of thorough testing and investigation in the aerospace industry. While Grissom’s actions are now understood to be a response to a critical emergency, the associated lack of qualification testing raises concerns about the reliability of similar systems in future missions.