Gemini 11
Encyclopedia
Gemini 11 was the ninth manned spaceflight mission of NASA
's Project Gemini
, which flew from September 12 to 15, 1966. It was the 17th manned American flight and the 25th spaceflight to that time (includes X-15 flights over 100 kilometres (62.1 mi)). Astronauts Charles "Pete" Conrad, Jr.
and Richard F. Gordon, Jr.
performed the first-ever direct-ascent (first orbit) rendezvous
with an Agena Target Vehicle
, used the Agena rocket engine to achieve a world record high-apogee earth orbit, and created a small amount of artificial gravity
by spinning the two spacecraft connected by a tether. Gordon also performed two extra-vehicular activities
for a total of 2 hours and 41 minutes.
Highest orbit (followed twice):
Gemini 11 used the rocket on its Agena target vehicle to raise its apogee to 850 miles (1,367.9 km), the highest Earth orbit ever reached by a manned spacecraft. The perigee was 179 miles (288.1 km), and maximum velocity (at perigee) was 17967 miles per hour (28,915.1 km/h). The apogee record stands as of April 2010, even though men have achieved greater distances from Earth by flying to the Moon in the Apollo program. The maximum operational altitude of the Space Shuttle
was lower, at 600 miles (965.6 km).
The crew docked and undocked four times, and still had sufficient Gemini maneuvering fuel for an unplanned fifth rendezvous. They did not remain in the high orbit, but changed it back to a near-circular one at 184 miles (296.1 km).
Gordon's first EVA, planned to last for two hours, involved fastening a 100 feet (30.5 m) tether, stored in the Agena's docking collar, to the Gemini's docking bar for the passive stabilization experiment. Gordon achieved this, but as with previous Gemini EVAs, trying to do work for an extended period proved more fatiguing than in ground simulation, and the EVA had to be terminated after only half an hour.
The passive stabilization experiment proved to be a bit troublesome. Conrad and Gordon separated the craft in a nose-(Agena-)down position, but found that the tether would not be kept taut simply by the Earth's gravity gradient as expected. But they were able to generate a small amount of artificial gravity, about 0.00015 g, by firing their side thrusters to slowly rotate the combined craft like a slow-motion pair of bolas
.
Gordon successfully performed a second EVA standing up with his head and shoulders out of the hatch to photograph the Earth, clouds and stars. This was not tiring, and lasted more than two hours.
1) Mass Determination: To test a technique and accuracy of a direct contact method of determining the mass of an orbiting object, in this case the Agena Target Vehicle. 2) Night Image Intensification: To test the usefulness and performance of a low-light-level television system as a supplement to unaided vision in observing surface features primarily when such features are in darkness and spacecraft pilots are not dark-adapted. 3) Power Tool Evaluation: To evaluate man's capability to perform work tasks in space, including the comparison of ability to work tethered and untethered, and to evaluate the performance of the minimum reaction power tool. 4) Radiation and Zero G Effects on Blood and Neurospora: To determine if a synergistic relationship exists between weightlessness and radiation on white blood cells and neurospora. 5) Synoptic Terrain Photography: To obtain selective high quality photographs of clouds to study the fine structure of the Earth's weather system. 6) Synoptic Weather Photography: To obtain selective high quality photographs of clouds to study the fine structure of the Earth's weather system. 7) Nuclear Emulsion: To study the cosmic radiation incident on the Earth's atmosphere, to obtain detailed chemical composition of the heavy primary nuclei, and to search for rare particles. 8) Airglow Horizon Photography: To measure by direct photography the heights at which atomic oxygen and sodium layers occur in the upper atmosphere. 9) Ultraviolet Astronomical Camera: To test the techniques of ultraviolet photography under vacuum conditions and to obtain ultraviolet radiation observations of stars in wavelength region of 2,000 to 4,000 Angstroms by spectral means. 10) Ion Wake Measurement: To determine and measure the ion and electron wake structure and perturbation of the ambient medium produced by an orbiting vehicle, and to study the changes in the ion flux and wake caused by thruster firings. 11) Earth-Moon Libration Region Photography: To investigate the regions of the L4 and L5 libration points of the earth-moon system to determine the possible existence of clouds of particulate matter orbiting the earth in these regions. 12) Dim-Light Photography and Orthicon: To obtain photographs of various faint and diffuse astronomical phenomena.
by the U.S., which brought Gemini 11 down 2.8 miles (4.5 km) from its recovery ship USS Guam
, only 1.5 miles (2.4 km) from the planned position.
The Gemini 11 mission was supported by 9,054 United States Department of Defense
personnel, 73 aircraft and 13 ships.
in Los Angeles, California
.
NASA
The National Aeronautics and Space Administration is the agency of the United States government that is responsible for the nation's civilian space program and for aeronautics and aerospace research...
's Project Gemini
Project Gemini
Project Gemini was the second human spaceflight program of NASA, the civilian space agency of the United States government. Project Gemini was conducted between projects Mercury and Apollo, with ten manned flights occurring in 1965 and 1966....
, which flew from September 12 to 15, 1966. It was the 17th manned American flight and the 25th spaceflight to that time (includes X-15 flights over 100 kilometres (62.1 mi)). Astronauts Charles "Pete" Conrad, Jr.
Pete Conrad
Charles "Pete" Conrad, Jr. was an American naval officer, astronaut and engineer, and the third person to walk on the Moon during the Apollo 12 mission. He set an eight-day space endurance record along with command pilot Gordon Cooper on the Gemini 5 mission, and commanded the Gemini 11 mission...
and Richard F. Gordon, Jr.
Richard F. Gordon, Jr.
Richard Francis Gordon, Jr., Captain, USN, Ret. is a retired NASA astronaut. He is one of only 24 people to have flown to the Moon.-Military and flight experience:Gordon was born in Seattle, Washington...
performed the first-ever direct-ascent (first orbit) rendezvous
Space rendezvous
A space rendezvous is an orbital maneuver during which two spacecraft, one of which is often a space station, arrive at the same orbit and approach to a very close distance . Rendezvous requires a precise match of the orbital velocities of the two spacecraft, allowing them to remain at a constant...
with an Agena Target Vehicle
Agena Target Vehicle
The Agena Target Vehicle was an unmanned spacecraft used by NASA during its Gemini program to develop and practice orbital space rendezvous and docking techniques and to perform large orbital changes, in preparation for the Apollo program lunar missions.-Operations:Each ATV consisted of an Agena-D...
, used the Agena rocket engine to achieve a world record high-apogee earth orbit, and created a small amount of artificial gravity
Artificial gravity
Artificial gravity is the varying of apparent gravity via artificial means, particularly in space, but also on the Earth...
by spinning the two spacecraft connected by a tether. Gordon also performed two extra-vehicular activities
Extra-vehicular activity
Extra-vehicular activity is work done by an astronaut away from the Earth, and outside of a spacecraft. The term most commonly applies to an EVA made outside a craft orbiting Earth , but also applies to an EVA made on the surface of the Moon...
for a total of 2 hours and 41 minutes.
Crew
Backup crew
Mission parameters
- MassMassMass can be defined as a quantitive measure of the resistance an object has to change in its velocity.In physics, mass commonly refers to any of the following three properties of matter, which have been shown experimentally to be equivalent:...
: 8374 pounds (3,798.4 kg)
Highest orbit (followed twice):
- PerigeePerigeePerigee is the point at which an object makes its closest approach to the Earth.. Often the term is used in a broader sense to define the point in an orbit where the orbiting body is closest to the body it orbits. The opposite is the apogee, the farthest or highest point.The Greek prefix "peri"...
: 156.4 nautical miles (289.7 km) - Apogee: 739.2 nautical miles (1,369 km)
- InclinationInclinationInclination in general is the angle between a reference plane and another plane or axis of direction.-Orbits:The inclination is one of the six orbital parameters describing the shape and orientation of a celestial orbit...
: 28.85° - PeriodOrbital periodThe orbital period is the time taken for a given object to make one complete orbit about another object.When mentioned without further qualification in astronomy this refers to the sidereal period of an astronomical object, which is calculated with respect to the stars.There are several kinds of...
: 101.52 min
Docking
- Docked: September 12, 1966 - 16:16:00 UTC
- Undocked: September 14, 1966 - 16:55:00 UTC
Space walk
- Gordon - EVA 1
- Start: September 13, 1966, 14:44:00 UTC
- End: September 13, 1966, 15:17:00 UTC
- Duration: 0 hours, 33 minutes
- Gordon - EVA 2 (stand up)
- Start: September 14, 1966, 12:49:00 UTC
- End: September 14, 1966, 14:57:00 UTC
- Duration: 2 hours, 08 minutes
Objectives
- Perform a direct-ascent rendezvousSpace rendezvousA space rendezvous is an orbital maneuver during which two spacecraft, one of which is often a space station, arrive at the same orbit and approach to a very close distance . Rendezvous requires a precise match of the orbital velocities of the two spacecraft, allowing them to remain at a constant...
with the Agena Target VehicleAgena Target VehicleThe Agena Target Vehicle was an unmanned spacecraft used by NASA during its Gemini program to develop and practice orbital space rendezvous and docking techniques and to perform large orbital changes, in preparation for the Apollo program lunar missions.-Operations:Each ATV consisted of an Agena-D...
on the first orbit in support of Project ApolloProject ApolloThe Apollo program was the spaceflight effort carried out by the United States' National Aeronautics and Space Administration , that landed the first humans on Earth's Moon. Conceived during the Presidency of Dwight D. Eisenhower, Apollo began in earnest after President John F...
. This would simulate a Lunar Module rendezvous with the Command/Service ModuleApollo Command/Service ModuleThe Command/Service Module was one of two spacecraft, along with the Lunar Module, used for the United States Apollo program which landed astronauts on the Moon. It was built for NASA by North American Aviation...
after a lunar landing. - Use the Agena rocket engine to put the combined craft in a high-apogee elliptical orbit.
- Perform two Extra-vehicular activitiesExtra-vehicular activityExtra-vehicular activity is work done by an astronaut away from the Earth, and outside of a spacecraft. The term most commonly applies to an EVA made outside a craft orbiting Earth , but also applies to an EVA made on the surface of the Moon...
. - Demonstrate passive attitude stabilization of the two spacecraft connected by a tether, and create artificial gravityArtificial gravityArtificial gravity is the varying of apparent gravity via artificial means, particularly in space, but also on the Earth...
by spinning the combined craft. - Perform miscellaneous scientific experiments.
- Perform a computer-controlled atmospheric reentry to a precision splashdown point.
| Gemini 11 | Agena info |
|---|---|
| Agena | GATV-5006 |
| NSSDC ID: | 1966-080A |
| Mass | 7000 pounds (3,175.1 kg) |
| Launch site | LC-19 |
| Launch date | September 12, 1966 |
| Launch time | 13:05:01 UTC |
| 1st perigee | 156.4 nautical miles (289.7 km) |
| 1st apogee | 165.8 nautical miles (307.1 km) |
| Period | 90.56 min |
| Inclination | 28.84 deg |
| Reentered | December 30, 1966 |
Flight
The direct-ascent rendezvous with the Agena vehicle was achieved approximately 94 minutes after lift-off, depending on the on-board computer and radar equipment with only minimal assistance from ground support.Gemini 11 used the rocket on its Agena target vehicle to raise its apogee to 850 miles (1,367.9 km), the highest Earth orbit ever reached by a manned spacecraft. The perigee was 179 miles (288.1 km), and maximum velocity (at perigee) was 17967 miles per hour (28,915.1 km/h). The apogee record stands as of April 2010, even though men have achieved greater distances from Earth by flying to the Moon in the Apollo program. The maximum operational altitude of the Space Shuttle
Space Shuttle
The Space Shuttle was a manned orbital rocket and spacecraft system operated by NASA on 135 missions from 1981 to 2011. The system combined rocket launch, orbital spacecraft, and re-entry spaceplane with modular add-ons...
was lower, at 600 miles (965.6 km).
The crew docked and undocked four times, and still had sufficient Gemini maneuvering fuel for an unplanned fifth rendezvous. They did not remain in the high orbit, but changed it back to a near-circular one at 184 miles (296.1 km).
Gordon's first EVA, planned to last for two hours, involved fastening a 100 feet (30.5 m) tether, stored in the Agena's docking collar, to the Gemini's docking bar for the passive stabilization experiment. Gordon achieved this, but as with previous Gemini EVAs, trying to do work for an extended period proved more fatiguing than in ground simulation, and the EVA had to be terminated after only half an hour.
Bolas
Bolas are a throwing weapon superficially similar to the surujin, made of weights on the ends of interconnected cords, designed to capture animals by entangling their legs...
.
Gordon successfully performed a second EVA standing up with his head and shoulders out of the hatch to photograph the Earth, clouds and stars. This was not tiring, and lasted more than two hours.
Scientific experiments
The 12 scientific experiments were:1) Mass Determination: To test a technique and accuracy of a direct contact method of determining the mass of an orbiting object, in this case the Agena Target Vehicle. 2) Night Image Intensification: To test the usefulness and performance of a low-light-level television system as a supplement to unaided vision in observing surface features primarily when such features are in darkness and spacecraft pilots are not dark-adapted. 3) Power Tool Evaluation: To evaluate man's capability to perform work tasks in space, including the comparison of ability to work tethered and untethered, and to evaluate the performance of the minimum reaction power tool. 4) Radiation and Zero G Effects on Blood and Neurospora: To determine if a synergistic relationship exists between weightlessness and radiation on white blood cells and neurospora. 5) Synoptic Terrain Photography: To obtain selective high quality photographs of clouds to study the fine structure of the Earth's weather system. 6) Synoptic Weather Photography: To obtain selective high quality photographs of clouds to study the fine structure of the Earth's weather system. 7) Nuclear Emulsion: To study the cosmic radiation incident on the Earth's atmosphere, to obtain detailed chemical composition of the heavy primary nuclei, and to search for rare particles. 8) Airglow Horizon Photography: To measure by direct photography the heights at which atomic oxygen and sodium layers occur in the upper atmosphere. 9) Ultraviolet Astronomical Camera: To test the techniques of ultraviolet photography under vacuum conditions and to obtain ultraviolet radiation observations of stars in wavelength region of 2,000 to 4,000 Angstroms by spectral means. 10) Ion Wake Measurement: To determine and measure the ion and electron wake structure and perturbation of the ambient medium produced by an orbiting vehicle, and to study the changes in the ion flux and wake caused by thruster firings. 11) Earth-Moon Libration Region Photography: To investigate the regions of the L4 and L5 libration points of the earth-moon system to determine the possible existence of clouds of particulate matter orbiting the earth in these regions. 12) Dim-Light Photography and Orthicon: To obtain photographs of various faint and diffuse astronomical phenomena.
Reentry
The mission ended with the first totally automatic, computer-controlled reentryAtmospheric reentry
Atmospheric entry is the movement of human-made or natural objects as they enter the atmosphere of a celestial body from outer space—in the case of Earth from an altitude above the Kármán Line,...
by the U.S., which brought Gemini 11 down 2.8 miles (4.5 km) from its recovery ship USS Guam
USS Guam (LPH-9)
USS Guam , an Iwo Jima-class amphibious assault ship, was laid down by the Philadelphia Naval Shipyard 15 November 1962; launched 22 August 1964; sponsored by Mrs. Vaughn H. Emory Green; and commissioned 16 January 1965, Captain N. E. Thurmon in command...
, only 1.5 miles (2.4 km) from the planned position.
The Gemini 11 mission was supported by 9,054 United States Department of Defense
United States Department of Defense
The United States Department of Defense is the U.S...
personnel, 73 aircraft and 13 ships.
Insignia
As Conrad and Gordon were both members of the US Navy, the patch is done in Navy colors: blue and gold. Stars are used to mark the major milestones of the mission. The first orbit Agena rendezvous is marked by a small gold star just above the earth, to the left. The Agena docking is marked by a large star on the left. The star at the top marks the record high apogee reached by Gemini 11. Note that the scale is greatly exaggerated; their maximum altitude of 850 miles (1,367.9 km) is roughly the distance from St Louis to Cape Canaveral. Finally, the star on the right marks Dick Gordon's spacewalk. The docking, record apogee and spacewalk are also shown on the patch by the Agena, orbital apogee path and spacewalking astronaut.Spacecraft location
The spacecraft is on display at the California Science CenterCalifornia Science Center
The California Science Center is a state agency and museum located in Exposition Park, Los Angeles. Billed as the West Coast's largest hands-on science center, the California ScienCenter is a public-private partnership between the State and the California Science Center Foundation...
in Los Angeles, California
Los Angeles, California
Los Angeles , with a population at the 2010 United States Census of 3,792,621, is the most populous city in California, USA and the second most populous in the United States, after New York City. It has an area of , and is located in Southern California...
.
See also
- Agena Target VehicleAgena Target VehicleThe Agena Target Vehicle was an unmanned spacecraft used by NASA during its Gemini program to develop and practice orbital space rendezvous and docking techniques and to perform large orbital changes, in preparation for the Apollo program lunar missions.-Operations:Each ATV consisted of an Agena-D...
- Extra-vehicular activityExtra-vehicular activityExtra-vehicular activity is work done by an astronaut away from the Earth, and outside of a spacecraft. The term most commonly applies to an EVA made outside a craft orbiting Earth , but also applies to an EVA made on the surface of the Moon...
- List of spacewalks
- SplashdownSplashdown (spacecraft landing)Splashdown is the method of landing a spacecraft by parachute in a body of water. It was used by American manned spacecraft prior to the Space Shuttle program. It is also possible for the Russian Soyuz spacecraft and Chinese Shenzhou spacecraft to land in water, though this is only a contingency...
- Space explorationSpace explorationSpace exploration is the use of space technology to explore outer space. Physical exploration of space is conducted both by human spaceflights and by robotic spacecraft....
- U.S. space exploration history on U.S. stampsU.S. space exploration history on U.S. stampsWith the advent of unmanned and manned space flight a whole new era of American history had presented itself. Keeping with the tradition of honoring the country's history on the face of U.S. postage stamps, the U.S. Post Office began honoring the various events with its commemorative postage stamp...
- Space capsuleSpace capsuleA space capsule is an often manned spacecraft which has a simple shape for the main section, without any wings or other features to create lift during atmospheric reentry....
- Space suitSpace suitA space suit is a garment worn to keep an astronaut alive in the harsh environment of outer space. Space suits are often worn inside spacecraft as a safety precaution in case of loss of cabin pressure, and are necessary for extra-vehicular activity , work done outside spacecraft...
External links
- NASA Gemini 11 press kit - Sep 2, 1966
- On The Shoulders of Titans: A History of Project Gemini
- Spaceflight Mission Patches
- http://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/database/MasterCatalog?sc=1966-081A
- U.S. Space Objects Registry http://usspaceobjectsregistry.state.gov/search/index.cfm