Official stapled NASA manual entitled ‘Spacecraft Prelaunch Test Procedure: Outline for the Rendezvous Mission Countdown,’ prepared by McDonnell and NASA, dated October 23, 1965 (SEDR RMC-6), 14 pages, 8.5 x 11, with the manual purpose reading, in part: “The following information is supplied as an outline to the rendezvous mission countdown (RMC). The RMC is a countdown of Gemini/Titan (GT-6) on Pad 19. Performed simultaneously with a countdown of the Gemini/Atlas/Agena Target Vehicle (GAATV) on Pad 14. This information has been obtained from the Gemini rendezvous mission countdown working group and is based on inputs concerning the Gemini spacecraft, Gemini launch vehicle, Gemini agena target vehicle, and standard launch vehicle operations.” Includes a second copy of the same manual. In fine condition.
Accompanied by a letter of authenticity from the son of the original recipient, Dr. Joseph John Combs, Jr., who served as a medical director on NASA’s Project Gemini being conducted at McDonnell Aircraft in St. Louis, Missouri. “Dr. Combs was focused primarily on the biomedical recorders, and more specifically on ECG (cardiac) recordations to record heart rate during prolonged exposure to zero-G. As such, he interacted closely and daily with the Gemini astronauts, attaching and removing biomedical recording leads and interviewing them about perceived effects of induced space conditions…Dr. Combs became personal friends with many of the astronauts…I hereby certify and attest that the space memorabilia in the collection being auctioned are the real and actual articles gifted to my father, Dr. Combs, by the Gemini astronauts during the time my father served as a medical director at McDonnell Aircraft in the 1960s.”
