Ion Buildup News Today

>> real good-looking flight from what weve seen. >> rog. >> all right, boy. >> shortly before he is supposed to reenter the atmosphere, the word comes there is a possibility that glenns heat shield has detached from the base of the capsule. >> go ahead. >> we have decided to reenter with the tank on. >> what is the reason for this? do you have any reason, over? >> the only thing holding the heat shield on are three straps, which are attached to the retro rockets. >> we feel its safer to reenter ...

On, over. >> roger. understand. >> so normally, the plan is you fire the retro rockets and let them go. but now it becomes clear if glenn does that, he might be burned alive. >> he went through this period of intense ion buildup where you lose contact with him. >> 7, this is cape, do you read, over? "friendship 7," this is cape, do you read, over? >> hello, mercury recovery, this is "friendship 7," do you read me if. >> roger, read you loud and clear, how are you doing? >> that was a real fireba...