Episode 15 -- Jerry Bostick

Rick is joined by Jerry Bostick, whose legendary NASA career spanned literally from the Mercury to Space Shuttle eras. Best known as the chief of the Flight Dynamics Branch – otherwise known as The Trench – Jerry played a crucial role in the research and writing phases of the book Go, Flight, and he also stars in the documentary film Mission Control.

 SHOW NOTES:

*Jerry gives an update on the broken hip he suffered recently. He’s progressing very nicely, thank you very much.

*He says he’s being a good patient … but asking the doctors a lot of questions.

*In a great moment, Jerry lets his daughter Kristi know just how much he appreciates the help she’s been during his recovery.

*Given the results of an aptitude test he took in school, Jerry could've joined his father in the funeral home business or become an engineer. The story gets laughs in virtually every single public showing of the Mission Control film.

*A couple once stopped Jerry and asked for directions, and as he watched them drive off, the young man couldn't help but marvel at their beautiful car and wonder where they might be going.

*Jerry's own path was headed for Washington DC, and stints as a page and doorman in the US House of Representatives.

*There's a photo of a young Jerry with Richard Nixon in the Mission Control film. Here's the story behind that amazing shot.

*How about a new contest ... how many times during an episode will Rick begin a question with the word "Now ...?" And that's just the times he doesn't edit out.

*A chance meeting with Chris Kraft changes the course of Jerry's career ... and life.

*Jerry begins work in the brand-new world of mission control, and relies on a strong work ethic and sense of honesty in order to survive early in his career.

*The people who made mistakes during simulations and then tried to talk their way out of it were the ones who didn't last very long. Chris Kraft saw to that.

*Chris Kraft's motto? To err is human ... but it's against my policy.

*Along with Kraft, Jerry also considers Glynn Lunney an early mentor.

*When Mercury Retro controller Carl Huss had a non-life-threatening heart attack, Jerry stepped into the void. It was another moment that changed his career.

*Alan Shepard might've been the Icy Commander to some ... and maybe even Jerry, if the truth be known ... but he didn't let it show during an infamous incident leading up to the flight of Gemini 3. it leads to what Jerry calls a "rocky relationship" between the two NASA legends, until they patched things up during training for the flight of Apollo 14.

*During Gemini, Jerry becomes a FIDO ... essentially the quarterback of the Flight Dynamics Branch. The move required him to switched divisions, from Mission Planning to Flight Control, not to mention an on-the-spot decision by Kraft.

*The Trench ... they were a proud bunch.

*Jerry was one of the three people first called to Chris Kraft's office to be informed of the momentous plans for Apollo 8. Over a single weekend, he shook off his initial incredulity to figure out that it could be done from a flight dynamics standpoint.

*Jerry calls the Christmas Eve Genesis reading one of the most emotional experiences of his life, and from the tone of his voice, it's clear that he's not exaggerating.

NOTE: Jerry will return in the next episode to discuss Apollo 11 ... Apollo 13 ... the other Apollo 13 ... and more!