Chapter 48 Friendship Seven
I don't own Captain America
February 20, 1962
By 1962 the Space Race between the Soviet Union and the United States has seen considerable developments as well as achievements for both the human race and the two superpowers. The Soviet Union, however, achieved many of the first landmarks after its successful launch of the first-ever artificial satellite, Sputnik. Then sending cosmonaut, Yuri Gagarin, into space in April 1961, the Soviets achieved the first man to travel into space and make an orbit around the Earth. With the first man in space as a Soviet, that was a significant blow to American morale. With the United States clearly behind the Soviets, President Kennedy vowed to spend whatever it took to catch up.
Then a month later, in May 1961, the United States sent NASA Mercury Astronaut Alan B. Shepard Jr. as the first American astronaut into space onboard the spacecraft known as "Freedom 7," spending a total of fifteen minutes in space. Though the Americans were playing catch up to the Soviets, the major success of the first American in space greatly boosted morale. Following Shepard's launch, on May 25, 1961, President John F. Kennedy announced to Congress of his goal for the nation to put a man on the moon by the end of the decade, effectively pushing absolute American commitment to beat the Soviets in the space race. This would be the final goal for both powers, to be the first to land a man on the moon.
Now, almost a year later, in February 1962, following President Kennedy's address to Congress, and after months and years of work, NASA prepared to launch the first American to orbit the Earth. Astronaut John H. Glenn of Mercury-Atlas 6, commander of spacecraft "Friendship 7," will be that first American for orbital flight...
Steve & Margaret Rogers Residence, Scarsdale, NY
The Rogers family all gathered around in the family room and watched the live news coverage of John Glenn as he prepares for his historic flight into space. The family sat with anticipation and excitement as they watched the news, eager to see another live broadcast of America's manned space program. The eagerness of the Rogers as well as millions of other Americans comes after numerous delays due to weather, technical trouble, and other factors that pushed the launch back several days till today. But even now, there was a slight delay due to more reported technical issues. So the Rogers and many other spectators sat impatiently for John Glenn's launch.
Steve, Angela, and Peggy sat together on the couch, Sarah laying on the other, and Michael and John sat on the floor with Athena, the family's black German Shepard. All eyes remained glued to the black and white TV as the news anchor reported live at Cape Canaveral.
"I'm just listening to the voice of Colonel John Powers in Mercury Control who just advised us, as of this moment, we can report to you live and direct from this vantage point of Cape Canaveral." The camera panned over to the launch pad that held the tall bullet shaped rocket. "That's pad fourteen, Mercury-Atlas-6, is ready for launching. John Glenn is inside the spacecraft. The countdown at this moment is T-minus eighty-five minutes…"
Steve leaned back and smiled at the scene on the television of the tall Mercury-Atlas rocket, "Isn't this amazing? John Glenn, the second American in space."
Peggy smiled over at her husband, "Not to mention the first American to orbit the Earth."
Steve chuckled, "Years ago we could only dream of the possibility of what it would be like to go into space. And now…"
Peggy smiled, "Now we have rockets and humanity is literally reaching for the stars."
Michael leaned back against the foot of the couch and looked up at his mom, "Do you think we'll eventually be able to live up there? Like in those movies?"
"I think so," Peggy shrugged. "At the rate of how fast things are changing, it's no longer just science fiction. It's a possibility."
Sarah nodded, "That would be so cool.
John wasn't paying any attention to his family's discussion as his eyes were completely glued to the TV as the news report showed a clip of John Glenn suiting up in his space suit hours earlier.
The news anchor narrated as the clip of Glenn putting on his pressure suit continued to play, "This is Glenn finally beginning to suit up in his pressure suit. This, perhaps, is to be the big morning. Before, he gone through postponements, patiently he's been waiting, training here at Cape Canaveral while all of us have been waiting, patiently, we the nation standing by for this attempt to put the first American in orbit." The clip zoomed in on Glenn's big smile as he waited on a chair in his pressure suit. "As you can see, Mr. Glenn is in good condition this morning. Happy condition. A gold condition as described by the crew."
John's eyes never left the TV and his ears heard nothing else but the news anchor. He didn't even realize Athena resting her head on his lap and her piercing dark eyes looking up at him for attention. John was just so interested in the news of John Glenn.
Steve smiled at his teens, "Things change fast, kids. That's the idea of progress. Heck, not too long ago there wasn't even television just radio."
Peggy nodded, "And when your father and I were kids, the airplane was less than twenty years old. And now look, we have jet planes, hundreds of airports, and now rockets taking people into space."
Angela looked up at her mother, "Wow…"
Steve chuckled, "And even the cars are better. Way better than those broken down jalopies your mother and I grew up around."
Peggy laughed, "Children." She nodded to the TV, "You're watching the future taking shape." She leaned forward and patted Michael on the head, "You kids are lucky to be born when you did." Michael smirked.
Sarah rolled her eyes, "Not this again, Mom."
"You kids are growing up with all these technological marvels," Peggy smirked.
"Careful, Mom, Dad, I think your age is showing," Sarah joked.
Peggy gave her oldest daughter a mock glare, "Sarah Amanda Rogers. Are you calling me old?"
Sarah laughed, "I'm not saying that. You already did."
"Do I look old to you?"
Angela chuckled and looked over at her mom, "Nope! You look very pretty, Mom."
Peggy smiled at her youngest daughter, "Thank you, darling."
Sarah chuckled, "Yeah, you do, Mom. Honestly, I don't know how you look that good all the time." She shook her head, "my friends' Mom always asks me how you manage to look so young."
Peggy and Steve shared a look, knowing that the kids are still unaware of the effect of the serum has on aging. Without needing to say anything, the two of them maintained the decision to tell them about it much later when they're older.
Peggy chuckled and shrugged, "Well, I just take care of myself better than others," she said a small white lie. "I don't smoke, I don't drink, and I exercise, so does your dad."
Sarah nodded, "That's what I tell my friends." She smirked at her mom, "But I have a sneaking suspicion that it's partially due to the fact that we're superhuman."
Peggy smiled. Her daughter is too smart for her own good sometimes. "I like to think I'm just naturally this beautiful, sweetheart," she jokingly said.
Steve smiled, "You are." Peggy winked at him in response and Sarah laughed.
The family lulled into silence as they continued to watch the TV as the long countdown of John Glenn's historic flight continued. The news anchor spoke up, "As of now, we're T-minus sixty minutes. So far, everything now is on schedule for liftoff."
Sarah spoke up again, "Mom, Dad, does it bother you that the Soviets put the first man in space and completed a full orbit before we even sent Shepard into space?"
"Of course it does," said Peggy. "I'm sure it bothers your father as well." Steve didn't say anything but a definitive nod.
Angela looked up at her parents, "Do you think we'll beat them to the moon?"
Steve nodded, "Oh yeah. I'm betting our astronauts will. We have too."
"I want us to win too, but you make it sound like it's dire."
Peggy shrugged, "Well, darling, it is in its own way. That first step on the moon will be a definitive one, and if we lose to the Russians, that would be a major blow to our morale and international standing as a country." She frowned, "If the Soviets land first, they would've proven to the world that they have the best scientists, technology, and power over us."
"Oh," replied Angela.
Steve smiled, "Well, these events have at least one other good side effect."
Michael looked up at him from the floor, "Like what?"
"Furthering our curiosity in space and developing our reach to the stars." Steve chuckled, "Just you wait. In a few decades we will be ferrying people to different worlds. I guarantee it."
Peggy smiled at her husband, "I love your optimism, darling."
Sarah nodded, "That would be so cool." Michael chuckled.
Over an hour later of waiting and watching the news channel talk about John Glenn and show footage of his training and his preparation, the time is now t-minus ten minutes and counting. The Rogers family leaned forward ever more slightly as the minutes and seconds ticked by to blastoff.
The news anchor switched over to Colonel Powers in Mercury control as the camera zoomed in on the rocket on the pad, "At this time, all systems in the Mercury-Atlas six are in a go condition. Countdown is t-minus eight minutes and counting. Astronaut, John Glenn, is reporting all the systems in the spacecraft is 'go.' The status report in the control center also report all systems are 'go.' We are now t-minus seven minutes and forty-five seconds." The news anchor's voice returned and began to speak once again as the camera continued to focus on the rocket, "The Florida skies are brilliantly clear here this morning, the cloud cover that gave us some worry earlier now blown by, and we seem to have, at the moment, no problem with visibility so we should be able to see the rocket for a long, long time."
John leaned forward with both excitement and anticipation at the black and white TV.
"After the launch, the sustainer engine, the third of the big engines, will continue to burn, pushing the spacecraft to space itself. Moving through the outer fringes of atmosphere toward a final velocity of 17,500 miles an hour at an altitude of one hundred to one hundred and fifty miles."
Michael spoke up, "Wow…"
"This rocket is bigger and more powerful than Shepard's for sure," said Sarah. Steve and Peggy didn't say anything as they continued to watch the TV.
"There will be a critical decision where we will hear about and not see, a decision of 'go' or 'no go' ejection into orbit. It's the point in the flight where the spacecraft separates from the big booster where, upon separation, the spacecraft will maneuver to an attitude where the retro rockets can fire and stop the flight at that point. It's a critical moment for Mercury control." The clock displayed the time again to five minutes. "If Glenn is at the right trajectory, the right angle, the right speed, right altitude, if everything is fine then he will truly be in orbit then we can begin to worry about first reports of the spacecraft and how the astronaut is doing."
The clock continued to countdown. The family remained silent as they continued to watch the footage.
"What must be the thoughts of John Glenn at this moment. Certainly he must know the urban prayers and hopes of a nation are with him. But most of the nation itself is sharing this experience at this moment as best as Earth bound humans can do. This is the very first orbital attempt by the United States, but it will be followed by many more."
Finally. Finally. After hours passed to minutes, the minutes have now passed to seconds. The countdown is now rapidly decreasing to zero, with only thirty seconds left on the clock and counting. The Rogers family, now wholly silent, sat forward as much as possible and watched, waited, and prayed for John Glenn's success and the American ambitions into space. John especially was so deadly focused on the TV that he didn't feel Athena nudging his leg for attention and a scratch behind her ears.
The Mercury controller spoke up and counted down the last ten seconds, "ten, nine, eight, seven, six, five, four." The scene on the TV showed a large cloud of smoke rise from under the rocket as the three massive rocket engines fired. A column of controlled fire shot out with intense heat and brightness that it nearly dimmed the black and white TV. "Three, two, one. Zero. Ignition." The rocket began to rise and rise at a rapid rate. "Lift off."
The Rogers family all watched with amazement as the rocket shot into the air, the rocket engines roaring on the speakers. The family was so focused on the scene on the TV that they didn't pay attention to the news anchor narrating the launch. They all watched in awe as John Glenn's rocket soared higher and higher, the exhaust of the three main engines trailing behind in a long white streak. As the rocket soared ever higher, it got smaller and smaller to the point where the camera could no longer keep track of it in the sky.
"We have lost visibility of Mercury-Atlas six and John Glenn is now on his way to the very edge of the atmosphere. His spacecraft has separated from the rocket and is now being propelled by the sustainer engine. He is now on his way to orbit the Earth." There was a slight pause, "Stay tuned as Colonel Powers of Mercury Control relays information and updates of Glenn's trajectory."
Steve smiled, "And there he goes." He shook his head, "Amazing, isn't it?" Peggy smiled at him.
Michael looked up at his Dad, "An American is going to orbit the Earth and be up there for a day." He chuckled, "We may behind on the scoreboard against the Russians but not for long."
Sarah nodded, "I'll say. First Shepard and now Glenn. This is almost unbelievable that we're going into space."
"We're just barely leaving the atmosphere, now imagine going to the moon in less than nine years. Almost seems to ambitious," said Michael.
Sarah shrugged, "Can almost make you doubt. But then again, we do have the power of the sun," she said referencing nuclear power.
John was still focused on the TV while his family talked behind him.
Steve smiled at Angela, "Was that cool or what, Angela?"
Angela nodded, "I think we'll beat those Russians to the moon."
Steve proudly smiled, "Me too."
Peggy noticed John's silence and deadly focus on the TV. She leaned forward and called out to her youngest, "Well, John?" John quickly looked back at his mother. "What did you think of John Glenn's launch?"
John didn't respond initially as he glanced back at the TV then back at his mom. Peggy cocked her head to the side and smiled lovingly at him. After a few seconds of silence, John beamed, "I want to be an astronaut. I want to go into space."
Family all smiled at John's ambition.
Peggy chuckled, "I think that's an excellent goal, Darling." She nodded to the TV, "Is John Glenn your new role model?"
John nodded, "everyone in project Mercury is!" He smiled happily at the TV, "That was so cool! His launch was so cool!"
"Wasn't it?" smiled Peggy. "If you think that rocket is cool, wait until the engineers in NASA think up the vehicle to take the astronauts to the moon by the end of the decade. I don't know what it is, but I can bet it will look pretty cool too."
Sarah smirked, "Not to mention powerful."
John smiled as he thought about it, "Yeah."
"Think about it, honey," Peggy softly said.
"Hm?"
"If you go into space when you grow up, your name will be written in the stars along with John Glenn and Alan B. Shepard. You'll be a pioneer, an Astronaut named, John Steven Rogers."
John made the biggest smile that made his parents in return grin back.
Steve chuckled, "Once we get to the moon, the next stop is Mars. You might be the first person to walk on Mars for all we know." He leaned forward, "Keep your ambitions close to your heard, John. Don't ever let someone take that away from you. I have no doubt in my mind that you'll be an astronaut."
Peggy nodded, "Study hard, darling. It's a lot of work to be sure."
"I will! I will be an astronaut!"
Steve smiled at his wife, "John definitely inherited his adventurous side from you." Peggy smiled. "Now he's going to take that side and take it out of this world," he laughed.
Peggy chuckled, "So John wants to be an astronaut." She glanced at Angela, "You want to be an engineer like your Uncle Howard." Angela nodded enthusiastically. Peggy then glanced at Sarah, "And Sarah you want to be like your Dad still right?"
"Mhmm," Sarah nodded. "Well do something like you and Dad. I want to be in SHIELD and be a field agent."
Peggy looked at her confused then back at Steve who just shrugged with the same expression.
Sarah shrugged, "I want to do what Dad and you did. Fight bad guys and protect our country." Peggy looked back at Steve then back at her daughter. "Um. Would you be okay with me joining SHIELD, mom?"
Peggy shook her head, "Don't ask me that question, Sarah."
Sarah looked at her confused, "Wha—"
"It doesn't matter if I'm okay with it or not. It's your life and your ambitions, darling. You be who you want to be and who you're meant to be. It doesn't matter what other people think." She briefly remembered her brother, Michael, telling her the same thing during her engagement party shortly before he was killed. Peggy nodded, "Don't ever let somebody tell you that you can't do something. Not even me." She looked at Steve, "Not even your father."
Steve nodded in agreement, "that's right."
"Okay," said, Sarah.
"If you want to be a SHIELD agent then do it and I'll be so proud. So very proud."
Steve smiled, "Me too." He looked at all of his kids, "And what your mom just said applies to each of you, okay?" Everyone nodded.
Peggy softened, "And I know you'll make an excellent SHIELD agent."
Steve nodded, although he was worried about his daughter being a field agent and experiencing the dangers he and Peggy have. But it was his responsibility as a father to be supportive of her goals and ambitions. To support her and his other kids in their dreams while also guiding them to do what's right. He will always be worried about Sarah if she does decide to continue her goal, but he would be very proud too. Without a doubt, he would be very proud of her.
"Thank you, Mama," said Sarah.
Steve nodded to Michael, "And what about you, Michael?"
Michael shrugged, "Um. I don't know exactly yet. I do want to a job where I can help people too. Like a doctor or something." He shook his head, "I don't know. So much things I want to do."
Peggy smiled, "Well, you have a long time to figure it out, darling. It's no rush. We just started talking about this because of John's excitement to be an astronaut."
Michael nodded, "I know."
Steve nodded, "We know that whatever it is you decide to do, you'll commit fully to it. And we'll be there to support you."
Angela spoke up, "Us too."
Michael chuckled, "Thanks."
Sarah laughed, "You can always play professional football." Michael chuckled and shrugged.
"You could do that too," joked Peggy. "You could play for the Giants. Starting quarterback."
Michael laughed, "Maybe, maybe."
"You'll get the family great seats if you do that right?" joked Steve.
"Sure, Dad."
"Wait, listen!" John called as he focused back on the TV.
The voice of Mercury control came over the TV as the camera focused on the empty launch pad, "John Glenn reports, 'zero-G, and I feel fine.' And he says the 'view is tremendous.'"
"Is he in orbit now?" John asked.
Steve smiled, "Almost."
"How do we know if he's in orbit," Sarah asked out loud while her eyes remained on the TV.
Peggy shrugged, "Mercury Control will tell us. So far so good though. I have no doubt that we'll make orbit."
"Wow…" John only whispered as he stayed glued to the television.
The family continued to watch the news and listen to the continued updates of John Glenn's historic space flight around the Earth. John sat happily with the discovery of his dream of going into space. The dream shared by many his age.
Short Chapter with a little glimpse of the Space race and some small domesticity without drama or anything.
I know I said this chapter would be covering the Cuban Missile Crisis, but it's been a while since I put up something and I also been unintentionally avoiding some stuff with the Space Race. So I made this small one. I'm still currently working on the Cuban Missile Crisis chapter.
I've been super busy with work, so I'll post what I can.
Hope you like it.
Personal Note:
This is something I like to do, writing their story, and something I plan on continuing. You can expect chapters for a long while to come. Even if somehow the Steggy fandom slows down. Even one reader who enjoys this stuff is more than enough for me.
TO all of you who read this, Cheers!
Alsooooo... Things will be picking up with more dramatic stuff with the 60s.
