So many names, so little time. For starters, John Young and Robert Crippen of STS 1 and later. The flight crew always threw a beer bust for the ground crew at JSC after each flight. When Robert found out I was a Mormon and didn't drink the hard stuff, he enquired what was a suitable alternate, and ever after made sure there was a bottle of ginger ale for me. I'll never forget his kind regard for me, as I was only a Maint. Engineer on the Shuttle simulators, and no one special. That is just one example of what made him so great, as well as the other astronauts with whom I was privileged to associate during my stay there, from STS 1 through STS-25.
The other standout crew was STS 6. My first encounter with Story Musgrave was at Scott AFB, Ill. about May 1972. At that time I was a ground crewman on a RB-57F used during the corn blight study that year. Story was diverted to pick up some data tapes and film for delivery to JSC, and he was definitely NOT pleased.
Fast forward to IIRC early 1982, & here we were together again. Needless to say, I was walking on eggshells anytime while near him.
As luck would have it, STS 6 experienced many delays, which was fortunate, for the ground crew found a significant Hydrogen leak in the compartment just above the engines, which would most likely resulted in disaster if they had launched on schedule.
During this time, we were constructing an aft crewstation trainer adjacent to the motion base simulator. Due to training constraints, they scheduled crew training while we were finishing construction, so I was unable to avoid close contact with Story. After a while, I noticed that he seemed fairly mellow, so I ventured a question once regarding his concerns due to the delays. His reply set me at ease: " I've been waiting 21 years for this opportunity, and I'm going to enjoy every minute of it."
Later, while talking to him under the fixed base simulator, I got the distinct impression that I was talking to a dead man. As many of you know, there is an unwritten rule in aviation that you NEVER discuss these feelings, lest they come true. That was a tough time for me, for I had by this time to regard this crew highly. The last full up 54 hour sim. was nearly finished when the crew encountered several serious problems, which could result in loss of the crew and shuttle. The instructor informed the crew of the situation and asked if they'd like to abort. I'll never forget the reply. "No, let's go for it." Mission rules require at least two operating APU's for a successful approach and landing. As I recall, they lost the second one around 18k feet, and the last one quit on roll out after landing! Story's comments were interesting: "Man, what a lousy ride. That's the last I'm riding this lousy airline."
About 3 days later, they took off for the real thing, a practically trouble-free excursion. To my great relief, and that of many others, the landing was perfect.
Later, at the beer bust, I shared my impressions with the Shuttle Commander. He expressed deep appreciation for my prayers, and that of others as well, and said the entire crew could feel their effect. He further revealed that everyone of the crew had experienced the same impression. All four of the crew felt they'd never come back alive, and yet they went anyway. THAT is why I NEVER want to hear anyone run down our astronauts, and why I may dump SEVERELY on anyone who does so in my presence.
Joel
