NASA Gemini Program
By Bob Brennert

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The creation of Gemini as a follow up program was the logical step for NASA to fulfill Kennedy's dream. Not really a follow up program, Gemini redesigned space travel for NASA. Moving from Mercury to Apollo was to be to great a step and Gemini was to explore long duration flights, orbital rondezvous and docking. According to members of the Gemini management team, the correct pronunciation is GEM - IN - EE.

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Gemini Launches

Launch Date Crew Details
GT-1 April 8, 1964 None First launch of the Gemini program tested the Gemini capsule for space worthyness and the Titan booster.
GT-2 January 19, 1965 Simulated Man This Gemini launch tested high G-forces and heat shield prfomance during a suborbital flight lasting 18 minutes.
GT-3 March 23, 1965 Gus Grissom, John Young First manned flight of Gemini. 4 hours 52 minutes flight time, 3 orbits.
GT-4 June 3, 1965 James McDivitt, Ed White First US spacewalk by Ed White lasting 36 minutes. 97 hours, 56 minutes flight time, 62 orbits
GT-5 Augsut 21, 1965 Gordon Cooper, Pete Conrad Probably the most uninteresting flight, the first of long duration. 190 hours 55 minutes flight time, 120 orbits.
GT-7 December 4, 1965 Frank Borman, Jim Lovell As the target vehicle for GT-6, Broman and Lovell spend 14 days in orbit. 330 hours 35 minutes flight time, 206 orbits.
GT-6A December 15, 1965 Wally Shirra, Tom Stafford After and aborted liftoff earlier that saw the Atlas booster run for only 1.2 seconds, GT-6A flies and meets up with GT-7. 25 hours 51 minutes flight timne, 16 orbits
GT-8 March 16, 966 Neil Armstrong, Dave Scott Expecting to test rendezvous and EVA proceedures, the flight is aborted in flight. 10 hours 41 minutes flight time, 7 orbits.
GT-9A September 12, 1966 Tom Stafford, Gene Cernan GT-9 improves on rendezvous, dicking and EVA. Cernans EVA 2 hours 7 minutes, 72 hours 21 minutes flight time, 45 orbits.
GT-10 Augsut 18, 1966 John Young, Mike Collins Docking and EVA Proceedures continue development. Collins EVA 1 hour 29 minutes, 70 hours hours 46 minutes flight time, 43 orbits.
GT-11 September 12, 1966 Pete Conrad, Richard Gordon Reaching and altitude of 850 miles (1370km) and remaining docked for 48 min highlight Gemini 11. Gordons EVA 2 hours 43 minutes, 71 hours 17 minutes flight time, 44 orbits
GT-12 November 11, 1966 Jim Lovel, Edwin Adlrin The last Gemini flight of the program, saw Aldrin dock with the use of radar. Aldrins EVA 5 hours 30 minutes, 94 hours 34 minutes flight time, 59 orbits.



Photos

I have collected a varied number of Gemini related photos, most of which are in color. I do hope you enjoy looking through them. Also, if you have Gemini related photos, please E-mail me a copy at bob@dowco.com, and I'll be sure to post them here.

Click on the gray dot to the left of the photo description to view the photo. Then click on your browsers back button to return to the photo list.

Size comparison of the Gemini capsule (and Agena docking target) to that of Mercury. Another look at the Gemini Capsule.
New fuel cells combined hydorgen and oxygen for produce electricity for longer duration flights replacing batteries. Housing support systems, the adaptor section fitted the Gemini capsule to the Titan booster.
Gemini 1 intrumented capsule was the first launch of the Gemini/Titan launch vehicle. Gemini 1 waits for the automatic launch sequence.
John Young and Gus Grissom pilot the first Gemini manned mission. Gemini capsules were refered to as the "Gus Mobile" because Grissom could comfortably fit inside; here he inspects GT-3 capsule.
Young and Grissom launched aboard Gemini 3. Ed White performs NASA's first space walk, leaving the Gemini capsule for 36 min.
Borman (left seat) and Lovell are prepared for their two week long flight. Gemini 7 meets up with Gemini 6 during their 14 day mission.
Another view as Borman and Lovell meet up with Shirra and Stafford. Shortly after docking with this Agena target vehicle, Gemini 8 begins to tumble uncontrolably and the mission is scrubed.
Gemini 8 safely at home, rests in the pacific ocean. Tom Stafford aboard Gemini 9A calls the failed agena target vehicle "The Angry Alligator".
This is what a docked Agena should look like. To perform simple gravity experiments, a tethered Agena is spun slowly with the Gemini capsule.
During his EVA on GT9A, Gene Cernan takes this remarkable shot. Multiple exposure picture of Gemini 10 launch.
Gemini 10 docked with their Agena. Pete Conrad aboard Gemini waiting for Gordons spacewalk.
Looking down towards Cape Canaveral, Gemini looks from where they came. On the final Gemini flight, Buzz Aldrin look out the window.
Cape Canaveral launch complex as seen from the air. Map of Cape Canaveral including all launch sites. A good map, but it's 151k and will take a while to load.