Spacelog Mercury 7

Okay, I think they held well, Al. The—I think they were good. I can't tell you what was wrong about them because the gyros were not quite right. But retrojettison—3 fuse switches are on.

Roger. We should have retrojettison in about 10 seconds.

Roger.

That was a nice gentle bump. All three have fired. Retroattitude was red.

Roger. Should have retrojettison now.

Ah, right then at 34 10, on time.

Roger. How much fuel do you have left both tanks?

I have 20 and 5 [percent].

Roger. I guess we'd better use—

I'll use manual.

—-on reentry, unless ASCS holds you in reentry attitude.

Yes, it can. I'll have to do it with manual.

Roger. Recommend you try Aux Damp first; if it's not working, then go to fly-by-wire.

Okay, I'll have to do that.

The balloon is gone [out of sight]. I am apparently out of manual fuel. I have to go to fly-by-wire to stop this tumbling.

Roger. Using fly-by-wire to stop tumbling.

Aurora Seven. Understand RSCS did not work.

I am out of manual fuel, Al.

Roger.

.05 g should be when?

Oh, you have plenty of time. It should be 04 44 elapsed time

Roger.

You have plenty of time. Take your time on fly-by-wire to get into reentry attitude.

Roger.

I was just looking over your reentry checklist. Looks like you're in pretty good shape. You'll have to manually retract the scope.

No. I didn't. The scope did come in, Al.

Roger. I didn't get that. Very good.

How are you doing on reentry attitude? Over.

Stowing a few things first. I don't know yet. Take a while.

Okay.

Going to be tight on fuel.

Roger You have plenty of time; you have about 7 minutes before .05 g so take . . .

Roger.

Okay. I can make out very, very small—farm land, pasture land below. I see individual fields, rivers, lakes, roads, I think. I'll get back to reentry attitude.

Roger Seven, recommend you get close to reentry attitude, using as little fuel as possible and stand by on fly-by-wire until rates develop. Over.

Roger. Will do.

Seven, this is California. We're losing you now. Stand by for Cape.

Aurora Seven, Cape Cap Com. Over.

Aurora Seven, Cape Cap Com. Over.

Hello, Cape Cap Com. Go ahead.

Roger. Do you have your face, faceplate closed?

Negative. It is now. Thank you.

Roger. Give me your fuel, please.

Fuel is 15 [percent] auto. I'm indicating 7 [percent] manual, but it is empty and ineffective.

Roger. You have a few minutes to start of blackout.

Two minutes, you say?

Aurora Seven, Cap Com.

Go ahead, Cap Com.