Atlantic Splashdown
Stage measurements evolved from research and development to operational status, and instrumentation measurements were reduced from 342 to 280.
In the instrument unit, the rate gyro timer, thermal probe, a measuring distributor, tape recorder, two radio frequency assemblies, a source follower, a battery and six measuring racks have been deleted. Instrumentation measurements were reduced from 339 to 221.
During the Apollo 9 mission, communications between the spacecraft and the Mission Control Center, the spacecraft will be referred to as "Apollo 9" and the Mission Control Center as "Houston". This Is the procedure followed in past manned Apollo missions.
However, during the periods when the lunar module is manned, either docked or undocked, a modified call system will be used.
Command Module Pilot David Scott in the command module will be identified as "Gumdrop" and Spacecraft Commander James McDivitt and Lunar Module Pilot Russell Schweickart will use the call sign "Spider."
Spider, of course is derived from the bug-like configuration of the lunar module, Gumdrop is derived from the appearance of the command and service modules when they are transported on Earth, During shipment they were wrapped In blue wrappings giving the appearance of a wrapped gumdrop,
(END OF GENERAL RELEASE; BACKGROUND INFORMATION FOLLOWS)
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