Scott Carpenter

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.

CAPCOM

Roger. We should have retrojettison in about 10 seconds.

Scott Carpenter

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

CAPCOM

Roger. Should have retrojettison now.

Scott Carpenter

Ah, right then at 34 10, on time.

CAPCOM

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

Scott Carpenter

I have 20 and 5 [percent].

CAPCOM

Roger. I guess we'd better use—

CAPCOM

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

Scott Carpenter

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

CAPCOM

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

Scott Carpenter

Okay, I'll have to do that.

Scott Carpenter

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.

Note

Tumbling here refers to low rates of all axes; however, the spacecraft was returned to proper attitude by the pilot before it had made 1/4 revolution.

CAPCOM

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

CAPCOM

Aurora Seven. Understand RSCS did not work.

Scott Carpenter

I am out of manual fuel, Al.

Scott Carpenter

.05 g should be when?

CAPCOM

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

CAPCOM

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

CAPCOM

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

Scott Carpenter

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

CAPCOM

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

CAPCOM

How are you doing on reentry attitude? Over.

Scott Carpenter

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

Scott Carpenter

Going to be tight on fuel.

CAPCOM

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

Scott Carpenter

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.

CAPCOM

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.

CAPCOM

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

CAPCOM

Aurora Seven, Cape Cap Com. Over.

Scott Carpenter

Hello Cape Cap Com, Aurora Seven. Loud and clear.

CAPCOM

Aurora Seven, Cape Cap Com. Over.

Scott Carpenter

Hello, Cape Cap Com. Go ahead.

CAPCOM

Roger. Do you have your face, faceplate closed?

Scott Carpenter

Negative. It is now. Thank you.

CAPCOM

Roger. Give me your fuel, please.

Scott Carpenter

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

CAPCOM

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

Scott Carpenter

Two minutes, you say?

CAPCOM

Aurora Seven, Cap Com.

Scott Carpenter

Go ahead, Cap Com.