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Gemini Flies! Unmanned Flights and the First Manned Mission David J Gemini Flies! Unmanned Flights and the First Manned Mission David J. Shayler Gemini Flies! Unmanned Flights and the First Manned Mission David J. Shayler Astro Info Service Ltd. Halesowen, West Midlands, UK SPRINGER-PRAXIS BOOKS IN SPACE EXPLORATION Springer Praxis Books ISBN 978-3-319-68141-2 ISBN 978-3-319-68142-9 (eBook) https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-68142-9 Library of Congress Control Number: 2018932747 © Springer International Publishing AG, part of Springer Nature 2018 This work is subject to copyright. All rights are reserved by the Publisher, whether the whole or part of the material is concerned, specifically the rights of translation, reprinting, reuse of illustrations, recitation, broadcasting, reproduction on microfilms or in any other physical way, and transmission or information storage and retrieval, electronic adaptation, computer software, or by similar or dissimilar methodology now known or hereafter developed. The use of general descriptive names, registered names, trademarks, service marks, etc. in this publication does not imply, even in the absence of a specific statement, that such names are exempt from the relevant protective laws and regulations and therefore free for general use. The publisher, the authors and the editors are safe to assume that the advice and information in this book are believed to be true and accurate at the date of publication. Neither the publisher nor the authors or the editors give a warranty, express or implied, with respect to the material contained herein or for any errors or omissions that may have been made. The publisher remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations. Front cover: The operational era of Project Gemini began on April 8, 1964 with the launch of the unmanned Gemini 1 from Pad 19, Cape Kennedy, Florida, atop the two-stage Titan II launch vehicle (right). This was followed less than one year later by the first manned flight, Gemini 3, nicknamed ‘Molly Brown’ by Command Pilot Virgil I ‘Gus’ Grissom and Pilot John W. Young. Young is seen here striding towards the elevator at the launch pad to take up his place in the spacecraft on March 23, 1965 (left). (Courtesy Ed Hengeveld). Back cover: (Right) Between Gemini 1 and Gemini 3, the unmanned Gemini 2 flew a sub-orbital test of the spacecraft’s heat shield in January 1965, clearing the way for manned operations. Here, the spacecraft’s re-entry module is seen on the recovery carrier after being retrieved from the ocean (Courtesy Ed Hengeveld). (Left) The cover for the next book in this series covering the four-day mission of Gemini 4 in June 1965, which included America’s first experience of extravehicular activity (more commonly known as a spacewalk). Cover design: Jim Wilkie Project Editor: Michael D. Shayler Printed on acid-free paper This Springer imprint is published by the registered company Springer International Publishing AG part of Springer Nature. The registered company address is: Gewerbestrasse 11, 6330 Cham, Switzerland Contents Author’s Preface......................................................................................................... viii Acknowledgements.................................................................................................... xi Dedication................................................................................................................... xiii Foreword..................................................................................................................... xiv Abbreviations and Acronyms.................................................................................... xvi Prologue: Molly Brown is on her way....................................................................... xx 1 Mercury Mark II................................................................................................ 1 The Origins of a Program.................................................................................... 3 The Main Hardware............................................................................................. 11 Gemini Launch Vehicle (Titan II)........................................................................ 19 Typical Mission Profile........................................................................................ 25 Summary.............................................................................................................. 32 2 A “clean and green” flying machine................................................................. 33 Planning the Missions.......................................................................................... 34 The ‘Flying Machine’.......................................................................................... 38 A Pad for Gemini................................................................................................. 44 The First Gemini Fledges the Nest and Flies....................................................... 50 The First Gemini Twins....................................................................................... 58 Summary.............................................................................................................. 60 3 Ramming the atmosphere................................................................................. 62 Plans for a Hop into Space................................................................................... 62 Launch Preparations............................................................................................. 68 Expanding the Flight Control Team..................................................................... 74 Ups and Downs of Gemini 2................................................................................ 76 Success at Last..................................................................................................... 82 Summary.............................................................................................................. 88 v vi Contents 4 Preparations....................................................................................................... 91 Selecting the Crew............................................................................................... 91 Organizing for Gemini......................................................................................... 94 Preparing the Hardware....................................................................................... 102 GLV-3................................................................................................................... 104 Training the Crew................................................................................................ 110 Mission Rules and Objectives.............................................................................. 120 Crisis at Carnarvon.............................................................................................. 123 Gemini Flies! This Time with a Crew.................................................................. 128 Summary.............................................................................................................. 144 5 Gus and John...................................................................................................... 147 Virgil Ivan ‘Gus’ Grissom, Command Pilot Gemini 3........................................ 148 John Watts Young, Pilot Gemini 3....................................................................... 157 Project ‘High Jump’............................................................................................. 160 A Splendid Partnership........................................................................................ 165 Summary.............................................................................................................. 171 6 All systems look ‘GO’........................................................................................ 175 7 Molly Brown “performing nicely”.................................................................... 204 8 Got your seat belts hooked?.............................................................................. 226 9 The Unsinkable Molly Brown............................................................................ 246 A Busy Week........................................................................................................ 248 Winding Down from Gemini 3............................................................................ 269 Moving on............................................................................................................ 271 10 Gemini fully operational................................................................................... 275 The Ethos of Mission Control.............................................................................. 275 Adventurers of Our Age....................................................................................... 276 Mission Operations Report.................................................................................. 278 Experiment Results.............................................................................................. 284 Reviewing Parachute Suspension Modes............................................................. 287 Summarizing the Gemini Test Flights................................................................. 295 The Legacy of Gemini 3.....................................................................................
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