DECK OF WASP; ASTRONAUT INSPECT CAPSULE; SAILORS; STAFFORD AND CERNAN COMMENT OF FLIGHT (SOF); ASTRONAUTS CUT CAKE.



STAFFORD: "WE HAD A REAL GREAT TIME UP THERE. WE HAD A GREAT DEAL OF THE RENDEZVOUS. WE LEARNED A LOT AND OS WE GO FORWARD TO SPACE FLIGHT AND APPLICATION."



CERNAN: "WE FEEL THAT WE DID LEARN A GREAT DEAL, AND AS A RESULT OF WHAT WE LEARNT, AND NOT NECESSARILY A RESULT OF WHAT WE WERE ABLE ACCOMPLISH IN TOTO, THAT WE FEEL THE FLIGHT WAS CERTAINLY A SUCCESS."




Initials



Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved

Background: ONE OF THE FIRST DUTIES OF THE TWO LATEST AMERICAN ASTRONAUTS AFTER THEIR PERFECT SPLASH-DOWN IN THE ATLANTIC OCEAN YESTERDAY (MONDAY) WAS TO INSPECT THEIR GEMINI 9 SPACE SHIP. AFTER PRELIMINARY MEDICAL CHECKS, THOMAS STAFFORD AND EUGENE CERNAN WERE ON THE DECK OF THE AIRCRAFT CARRIER WASP TO EXAMINE THE BLISTERED HEAT SHIELD OF THE CAPSULE.

SAILORS ABOARD THE WASP GAVE CERNAN AND STAFFORD A ROUSING WELCOME OF CHEERS AND WHISTLES, AND THERE WAS BAND ON THE FLIGHT DECK. THE ASTRONAUTS WERE STILL IN THE CAPSULE WHEN IT WAS WINCHED ABOARD ALMOST AN HOUR AFTER THE SPLASH-DOWN. THE LAST DISQUIETING MOMENT IN THE TROUBLED GEMINI 9 FLIGHT CAME AS IT BOBBED IN THE CHOPPY SEA -- THE ASTRONAUTS RADIOED THAT THEY HAD SPRUNG A LEAK.

BUT FROGMEN ATTACHED A FLOTATION COLLAR, AND SOON GEMINI 9 AND ITS PILOTS WERE SAFE ON WASP. STAFFORD, THE COMMAND PILOT, HAD THIS TO SAY..
CERNAN, WHO SET A NEW SPACE WALK RECORD, ENDORSED HIS COMMANDER' OPINION...

THEN THE TWO CUT A CIANT CAKE FROM THE WASP'S GALLEY. LATER PRESIDENT JOHNSON TELEPHONED HIS CONGRATULATIONS TO THEM, THEM AT THEIR HOMES IN HOUSTON, TEXAS.

NOW THE ASTRONAUTS ARE AT CAKE KENNEDY, WHERE THEY ARE UNDERGOING EXTENSIVE MEDICAL EXAMINATIONS AND HAVING LONG TALKS WITH SPACE AGENCY OFFICIALS.