It is as though they had taken a short airplane flight Astronauts' medical report

The two men - who travelled 3,312,993 miles (5,331,745 km) and orbited the Earth 120 times - are reported to be in "excellent condition".

Colonel Cooper radioed Lake Champlain shortly after their capsule hit the sea with the message: "We are on the water and in good shape".

The two men were taken by helicopter to the carrier where doctors gave them a preliminary examination.

A medical report said they were "perfectly happy with no need to sit down and rest."

It added: "There is absolutely nothing wrong with them - it is as though they had taken a short airplane flight."

Chief Doctor Charles Berry said the astronauts' heart rates had gone up to 180 beats a minute during the stressful re-entry stage, but that they had dropped back to normal levels by the time they splashed down.

Colonel Cooper and Commander Conrad now face another 11 days of tests before they are allowed home.

The voyage of Gemini V has not gone completely to plan.

Soon after launch the astronauts reported a serious fall in oxygen pressure in their fuel cells and Nasa controllers considered ending the mission early.

The reduced power meant the pair had to suffer low temperatures and their capsule tumbling and rolling in its orbit when steering rockets failed.

	E-mail this story to a friend