Phase 1: Launch

Launch Control

Lift-off

Alan Shepard

Ahh, Roger; lift-off and the clock is started

Alan Shepard

Yes sir, reading you loud and clear

Alan Shepard

This is Freedom Seven. The fuel is go, 1.2g cabin at 14 psi, oxygen is go

Alan Shepard

Freedom Seven is still go

Deke Slayton

Roger looking good

Alan Shepard

This is Seven. Fuel is go 1.8g, 8 psi cabin, and the oxygen is go

Alan Shepard

Cabin pressure is holding at 5.5. Cabin holding at 5.5

Deke Slayton

I understand, cabin holding at 5.5

Alan Shepard

Fuel is go, 2.5g, cabin 5.5, oxygen is go, the main bus is 24 and the isolated battery is 29

Deke Slayton

Rog, read you five by five … okay

Alan Shepard

Okay, it's a lot smoother now. A lot smoother

Alan Shepard

Seven here. Fuel is go, 4g, 5.5 cabin, oxygen go, all systems are go

Alan Shepard

Cut-off. Tower jettison green

Alan Shepard

Capsep is green

Alan Shepard

Periscope is coming out and the turn-around has started

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Spoken on May 5, 1961, 2:36 p.m. UTC (63 years, 7 months ago). Link to this transcript range is: Tweet

Alan Shepard

Control movements

Alan Shepard

Okay, switching to manual pitch

Deke Slayton

That's manual pitch

Alan Shepard

Switching to manual yaw

Deke Slayton

… understand, manual yaw

Deke Slayton

Roger Freedom, okay

Alan Shepard

Yaw is okay. Switching to manual roll

Deke Slayton

Okay, looks good …

Alan Shepard

On the periscope. What a beautiful view

Alan Shepard

Cloud cover over Florida. 3 to 4 tenths near the eastern coast. Obscures up to Hatteras

Alan Shepard

I can see Okeechobee. Identify Andros Island. Identify the Reefs

Deke Slayton

retro 5 4 3 2 … 1

Alan Shepard

Start retro-sequence. In retro-attitude are green

Alan Shepard

Control is smooth

Alan Shepard

Retro one, very smooth

Alan Shepard

All three retros are fired

Alan Shepard

Okay. Three retros have fired. Retro-jettison is back to arm.

Deke Slayton

The booster …

Alan Shepard

Switching fly-by-wire

Alan Shepard

Roger; do not have a light

Alan Shepard

I do not have a light. I see the straps falling away. I heard a noise. I will use override

Alan Shepard

Override used, the light is green

Alan Shepard

Periscope is retracting

Alan Shepard

I'm on Fly By Wire. Going to re-entry attitude

Deke Slayton

You hit the red on the button