Gene Kranz’s personally-owned and -used Project Mercury manual entitled “Network Operations Directive 61-1,” 11 x 10, November 30, 1961, signed on the front cover in black felt tip, “From my console in Mercury Control, Gene Kranz.” The first page is headed “For Official Use Only” on the cover and “Copy No. 30” on the first page, and the manual consists of a general overview of a variety of topics and operations procedures, including: “Concept of Operations,” “Network Operations Procedures,” “Radar Systems,” “Telemetry Plan,” “Command Control Plan,” “Radio Interference Protection,” “Communications Plan,” “Data Handling Plan,” “Analog and Digital Systems,” “Logistics,” “Failure Analysis,” “Maintenance Procedures,” “Weather,” and others. The manual bears a few small handwritten annotations throughout. In very good to fine condition, with a small bit of paper loss to upper edge of the cover and toning to front binder plastic. Kranz’s first position with NASA was as a Mission Control procedures officer for the unmanned Mercury-Redstone 1 test, a position which saw him integrating Mercury Control with the Launch Control Team at Cape Canaveral, Florida, as well as creating the "Go/NoGo" procedures that allowed missions to proceed as planned or be aborted. Kranz performed this role for all unmanned and manned Mercury flights, and was later promoted to Assistant Flight Director for the flight of MA-7. A wonderful signed working manual from the personal collection of the man who helped coordinate the safety of America’s earliest astronauts. Pre-certified Zarelli Space Authentication.
This item is Pre-Certified by STEVE ZARELLI
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