In early 1961, NASA was actually very well positioned to launch an American into space before the Soviets. Then they messed it up. This week, Quinn, Chris, and Other Chris take a look into what was happening at NASA in the months before Vostok 1 flew. We cover the infamous Four Inch Flight, the first chimp in space, and the debate over how safe a rocket should really be before strapping Alan Shepard into it.
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Sources:
Beyond, Stephen Walker
Redstone: The Missile That Launched America Into Space, Drew LePage
Giving Mercury Its Wings, Drew LePage
Theme song by DJ Danarchy
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