WO 7-41 55

NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION

WASHINGTON. D C 20546 TELS W O j-6925

P
FOR RELEASE: FRIDAY AM's
December 4. 1964

R PROJECT: UNMANNED GEMINI (GT-2)

SCHEDULED LAUNCH: December 7. 1964

E CONTENTS

S GENERAL NEWS RELEASE .......................... 1-3

TEST OBJECTIVES...............................
PRIMARY MISSION OBJECTIVES.................... 4
4

S SECONDARY MISSION OBJECTIVES.................. 5

CRITICAL S .T
S
Y .............................. 6
FLIGHT PI+AN................................... 7
LAUNCH DAY.................................... 8
MAJOR MISSION S.T.AtEAP ...................... 11
LAUNCH WO.IW ................................. 12
WEATHER ....................................... 12
GT-2 SPACECRAFT CONFIGURATION................. 12
Spacecraft Structure......................
Reentry Moduleo...........................
13
Adapter Module ............................
13
13
Spacecraft Systems........................
Crew Station..............................
14
Guidance and Control System ............... 15
14

T Communications Subsystems................. 19
propulsion.........................*^..... 17
Landing and Recovery System............... 19

.cont ..
 ............................
..............................
Ejection Seats
Pyrotechnics
20
20
.............
m e 1 cell..........................*....^.
........................
Environmental Control Systems
21
22
................................... 23
Thermal Protection
sare.C
23

GEMINI LAUNCH
VEHICLE ...................24
(GLV)

RANGE SAFETY.................................. 26

OPTICAL ..............................
TRACKING 27
REC
Y0. ...................................... 27
 NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION w o 2-41 55
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20546 TELS* WO 3-6925

' -
December 4, 1964
RELEASE NO: 64-296

SECOND UNMANNED
GEMINI LAUNCH
SET FOR DEC. 7

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration will

launch an unmanned Gemini spacecraft this month on a suborbital
flight and ram it back through the atmosphere at 16,600 miles
per hour to test the spacecraft under maximum reentry heating
conditions.

In addition, the spacecraft will carry all Gemini sys-

tems required to qualify it and the launch vehicle f o r two-man
orbital flight.

The flight, designated GT-2, scheduled for no earlier

than Dec. 7 will last about 20 minutes with the spacecraft
reaching an altitude of about 106 miles and traveling approxi-
mately 2,150 statute miles downrange from Cape Kennedy.

U.S. Naval forces will be deployed along the flight path

and will recover the spacecraft about 800 miles east of San
Juan,

A successful flight will insure a margin of safety on

later manned Gemini missions where normal reentry heating will
be substantially below the severe rates planned for this
flight.
 -2-

GT-2 is a crucial mission, If all goes well, NASA can

proceed with confidence toward launching the first manned
Gemini early in 1965. If the test shows major deficiencies
in the spacecraft or booster, it could set the program back
four t o six months for incorporation and testing of design
changes and conceivably reconfiguring another spacecraft for
an unmanned flight.

This will be the second flight test of the two-man

Gemini spacecraft. The first was conducted April 8, 1964,
and demonstrated the structural compatibility of the space-
craft and the launch vehicle from liftoff through orbital in-
sertion, launch vehicle and spacecraft heating conditions
during launch, and qualified certain spacecraft systems, among
other objectives.

The launch was an unqualified success. Liftoff occurred

only one second later than scheduled, following a smooth
countdown.

Gemini is the nation's second manned space flight pro-

gram. Dr. George E. Mueller, NASA Associate Administrator
for manned space flight, is acting Gemini program director.
William C. Schneider is deputy director.

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 -3-

The program is managed by the Manned Spacecraft Center's

Gemini Program Office, headed by Charles W. Mathews. Col.
Richard C. Dineen, USAF Space Systems Division; and Lt. Col.
John G. Albert, 6555th Aerospace Test Wing, Patrick Air Force
Base, Fla.; are responsible for the development and launch,
respectively, of the Gemini Launch Vehicle (GLV), a modified
Titan I1 rocket.

Overall responsibility for conducting the GT-2 mission

rests with Christopher C, Kraft, Jr., MSC Assistant Director
f o r Flight Operations, who has been designated GT-2 Mission
Operations Director.

A wide range of Department of Defense support for this

mission, including tracking, recovery ships and launch ser-
vices, is under the direction of Lt. Gene Leighton I. Davis,
USAF, National Rarge Division commander ana DOD Manager for
Manned Flight Support Operations.

Prime contractor f o r the manufacture of the Gemini space-

craft is McDonnell Aircraft Corp,, St. Louis. The Martin Co.,
Baltimore, manufactures the Gemini Launch Vehicle, which is
supplied to NASA through the Space Systems Division o f the
Air Force Systems Command.
-End-
(End of general news release, Background information follows.)
 -4 -
TEST OgJECTIVES

The GT-2 mission is designed to flight-qualify the

total spacecraft as an integrated system for manned space
flight. A major item is the afterbody heat protection, Flow
patterns over the spacecraft during reentry cannot be fully
simulated in ground testing. The ballistic trajectory for
this flight was selected to provide the maximum reentry heat-
ing rate for this spacecraft.

Thermal design temperatures are:

Nominal Design Spacecraft 2
Equipment Reentry Reentry
Renet shingles 1725 degrees F 1740 degrees F
Heat Shield 620 degrees F 680 degrees F
Bond1ine

PRIMARY MISSION ORJECTIVES

Satisfactory completion of the prime objectives is man-

datory for a successful mission. These objectives are to
demonstrate and evaluate:
a, Adequacy of the reentry module's heat protection
equipment during a maximum heating rate reentry.

b. Spacecraft structural integrity and compatibility

of the spacecraft from lift-off through landing.

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 -5-

C. Satisfactory performance of the following spacecraft

systems: reentry control, retrograde rocket, parachute re-
covery, pyrotechnics, communications, electrical, sequential,
environmental control, spacecraft displays, orbital attitude
and maneuver and associated electronics, inertial measuring
unit (during launch and reentry j , inertial guidance (during
turn-around and retro maneuvers), spacecraft recovery aids,
and tracking and data transmission.

d, Check-out and launch procedures.

e. Backup guidance steering signals throughout launch,

SECONDARY MISSION OBJECTrVES

Secondary mission objectives are desirable, but not

mandatory, for mission success. These objectives include:

a. Obtain test results on the cryogenics and fuel cell

systems.

b. Demonstrate Gemini Launch Vehicle (GLV) and space-

craft compatibility through the countdown and launch sequence.

c. Provide training f o r flight controllers.

d. Further qualify ground communications and tracking

systems in support of future manned missions.

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 -6 -

e. Further flight qualim the launch vehicle and

demonstrate its ability to insert the spacecraft into a pre-
scribed flight path.

CRITICAL SYSTEMS

Performance of the following systems will be watched

carefully:

a. Spacecraft:
Orbit attitude and maneuver system; reentry control
system; retrorockets.
Guidance and control system - computer attitude con-
t r o l and maneuver electronics, inertial measuring unit, horizon
scanner (one for GT-2), manual data insertion unit and atti-
tude display.

Electrical system - sequential, power, and crewman

simulators.
Environmental control system; coolant system; commu-
nications system - ultra high frequency voice transmitter/
receiver, high frequency voice transmitter/receiver, digital
command system, voice control center, C-band beacon, UHF re-
covery beacon, telemetry transmitters, antenna systems, elec-
tronic timer, event timer.

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 -7 -

Data acquisition system - PCM multiplexer encoder,

tape recorder (data playback), sensors and conditioners, on-
board recording frequency data system, display panel and win-
dow cameras. Landing systems - main and pilot parachutes;
pyrotechnics systems; crew station - water system (minus
drinking water dispenser) to collect fuel cell water, cabin
displays, and switches.

b. Gemini Launch Vehicle:

Flight control, guidance, electric, hydraulic, struc-
tures, propulsion, instrumentation, range safety, ardnance,
and malfunction detection system (MDS)

FLIGHT PLAN

The unmanned GT-2 spacecraft will be launched from Com-

plex 19 at Cape Kennedy on an azimuth o f lo5 degrees. Space-
craft separation will be followed by a turn-around and a
maneuver t o retroattitude. The retrorockets, though not needed
t o perform this mission, will be sequence fired 62 seconds
after spacecraft separation.

Total range from lift-off to touchdown is programed f o r

approximately 2,150 statute miles. The mission should take
about 20 minutes from lift-off to touchdown,

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 -8 -

A nominal GLV flight will consist of two guidance phases.

In the first phase, the GLV will be programed in r o l l to
establish the required azimuth reference plane, and then in
pitch to follow the desired trajectory. This is to be accom-

plished by a programer contained in the three-axis reference

system (TARS). The second phase will begin several seconds
after staging and is to last throughout the remainder of
second stage powered flight. This phase will be under the
control of the GE/Burroughs radio guidance system.

LAUNCH DAY

T minus one day GLV propellant loading complete.

T minus 420 minutes Begin countdown.
T minus 400 minutes Spacecraft power on.
T minus 380 minutes GLV and spacecraft systems check.
T minus 330 minutes Spacecraft command checks with
Mission Control Center
Spacecraft computer on.
T minus 265 minutes Spacecraft and GLV siwnlated
.
flight test. Fuel cell activa-
tion
T minus 220 minutes Spacecraft/computer memory loading.
T minus 190 minutes Pad clear for GLV ordnance and
range command checks.
T minus 160 minutes GLV tanks to launch pressure.
T minus 145 minutes Ground test of launch program.

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 -9-

T minus 120 minutes Spacecraft fuel cell, Go/No Go,

T minus 75 minutes
.
Spacecraft hatch closure.
Room dismantle
White

T minus 35 minutes Erector lowering.

T minus 30 minutes Activate all spacecraft communi-
cation links.
T minus 20 minutes Spacecraft to internal power.
T minus 13 minutes Spacecraft RCS-OAMS static fire.
T minus 6 minutes GLV-spacecraft final status check.
T minus 3 minutes Update GLV launch azimuth,
T minus 3 minutes Spacecraft update computer.
T minus 0 Engine start signal
T plus 1.8 seconds Thrust chamber pressure switch --
calibrated for 77 percent o f rated
engine thrust -- is activated,
starting a two-second timer.
T plus 3.8 seconds Spacecraft umbilicals release.
GLV tiedown bolts fire,
T plus 4 seconds (lift-off) Lift-off begins.
T plus 155 seconds First stage engines shutdown - BECO.
Second stage engine ignites. Stage
separation explosive nuts explode.
T plus 156 seconds Fire-in-the-hole staging accom-
plished.
T plus 201 seconds Horizon scanner and nose fairing
jettison.
T plus 337 seconds Terminate radio guidance command
steering.
T plus 339 seconds Second stage engine cutoff (SECO)

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 -10-

T plus 361 seconds Spacecraft separation. Initiate

OAMS thrusting.
T plus 361 seconds Initiate roll to zero degrees r o l l ,
pltch and yaw attitude.
T plus 375 seconds Terminate OAMS thrusting.
T plus 389 seconds Initiate spacecraft turnaround.
Activate RCS system.
T plus 404 seconds Establish retroattitude pitch
down.
T plus 421 seconds Separate equipment adapter sec-
tion.
Initiate automatic retrograde
rocket firing sequence.
T pilus 466 seconds Jettison retrograde adapter sec-
tion.
T plus 570 seconds Initiate 15 degrees per second
roll rate.
T plus 855 seconds At 21,000 feet - open cabin vent
valve inlet snorkel, and cabin
recirculation valve. Energize
suit compressor.
T plus 883 seconds Deploy pilot parachute at 10,600 -
feet altitude.
T plus 885 seconds Separate R and R section at 9,600
feet.
T plus 886.5 seconds Deploy main parachute at 9,000 ft.
T plus 907 seconds Release single point suspension
at 6,700 feet. Spacecraft re-
orients to landing attitude.
T plus 915 seconds Energize recovery beacon.
T plus 1119 seconds Close cabin water seal at 1,500
feet.
T plus 1153 seconds Touchdown.
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 -12-

LAUNCH WINDOW

GT-2 w i l l n o t be launched b e f o r e one hour a f t e r s u n r i s e

n o r a f t e r f o u r hours b e f o r e s u n s e t . A minimum of three day-

l i g h t h o u r s i s desirable f o r s p a c e c r a f t recovery a f t e r l a n d i n g .

WEATHER

Weather c o n d i t i o n s a l o n g t h e ground track w i l l be con-

t i n u o u s l y e v a l u a t e d p r i o r t o and d u r i n g countdown. Launch
s i t e weather c o n d i t i o n s must be s a t i s f a c t o r y f o r o p t i c a l
coverage through s t a g i n g . Weacher which r e s u l t s i n u n s a t i s -
f a c t o r y recovery c o n d i t i o n s w i l l be cause f o r launch h o l d o r
postponement i f it e x t e n d s beyond t h e launch window.

The f o l l o w i n g weather c o n d i t i o n s i n the r e c o v e r y zone

w i l l s e r v e as g u i d e l i n e s :

A. S u r f a c e winds - 30 k n o t s maximum.
B. Wave h e i g h t - eight f e e t maximum.
C. Clouds - no cloud base below 1,500 f e e t .
D. Visibility - f i v e miles minimum.

GT-2 SPACECRAFT CONFIGURATION

The s p a c e c r a f t f o r t h i s mission i s a p r o d u c t i o n c o n f i g -
u r a t i o n of a l l systems and s t r u c t u r e s n e c e s s a r y f o r launch,
r e t r o g r a d e , r e e n t r y and recovery.

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 -13-

Although the s p a c e c r a f t i s unmanned, crewman s i m u l a t o r s

w i l l be flown t o perform t h e s e q u e n t i a l f u n c t i o n s normally
performed by t h e f l i g h t crew. These i n c l u d e s i g n a l s for
launch v e h i c l e - s p a c e c r a f t s e p a r a t i o n , s p a c e c r a f t turnaround,
r e t r o f i r e , and r e t r o a d a p t e r s e p a r a t i o n .

SPACECRAFT STRUCTURE

The s p a c e c r a f t c o n s i s t s of two major assemblies -- the

r e e n t r y module and the adapter module. Both s t r u c t u r e s t o -

g e t h e r measure 18.89 i n l e n g t h , seven and one-half f e e t i n
diameter a t t h e base of t h e r e e n t r y module, and 10 f e e t i n
(3"meter a t t h e base of t h e a d a p t e r module. The s p a c e c r a f t
weight a t launch w i l l be approximately 6900 pounds and t h e
r e e n t r y module weight a t l a n d i n g w i l l be about 4700 pounds.

REENTRY MODULE

The r e e n t r y module i s comprised of t h r e e primary s t r u c -

tural sections -- c a b i n s e c t i o n , r e e n t r y c o n t r o l system (RCS)
s e c t i o n , and the redezvous and recovery (R&R) s e c t i o n . For
t h i s mission, t h e r e e n t r y module i s ballasted t o s i m u l a t e the
maximum d e s i g n r e e n t r y weight of a manned Gemini s p a c e c r a f t .

ADAPTER MODULG

The adapter module c o n s i s t s of two primary s t r u c t u r a l

sections -- equipment s e c t i o n and r e t r o g r a d e s e c t i o n .

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 -14-

SPACECRAFT SYSTEMS

I n g e n e r a l , the o n l y s p a c e c r a f t components o m i t t e d from

t h e GT-2 c r a f t are t h o s e which would have no s i g n i f i c a n c e
on t h e unmanned b a l l i s t i c m i s s i o n and can be q u a l i f i e d by
o t h e r means f o r subsequent f l i g h t s . Deleted components i n -
c l u d e t h e redezvous radar, t h e docking system, food c o n t a i n e r s ,
t h e 8.3-foot drogue p a r a c h u t e , d r i n k i n g water d i s p e n s e r s ,
waste d i s p o s a l system, t h e p e r s o n a l hygiene system, biomedical
tape r e c o r d e r , v o i c e tape r e c o r d e r , t h e s u r v i v a l k i t , egress
k i t , and one of t h e UHF and HF t r a n s c e i v e r s , (two of each
w i l l be normally c a r r i e d ) .

CREW STATION

The b a s i c c o n f i g u r a t i o n of t h e crew s t a t i o n i s i d e n t i c a l
t o l a t e r manned s p a c e c r a f t . A l l c o n t r o l s , d i s p l a y s , and
switch panels -- except t h o s e f o r t h e Agena t a r g e t v e h i c l e --
are i n c o r p o r a t e d ,

Two crewman s i m u l a t o r s a r e i n s t a l l e d i n t h e e j e c t i o n

seats . These s i m u l a t o r s c o n s i s t of sequencers, b a t t e r i e s ,

cameras, l i g h t s , i n s t r u m e n t a t i o n components, a timer, and a
tape r e c o r d e r which are i n s t a l l e d t o perform e s s e n t i a l
f u n c t i o n s normally performed by t h e crew and t o r e c o r d s p e c i a l
v i b r a t i o n s and t e m p e r a t u r e measurements d u r i n g launch and
reentry.
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I n a d d i t i o n , f o u r cameras w i l l r e c o r d t h e i n s t r u m e n t
d i s p l a y s and t h e p i l o t ' s v i e w from t h e l e f t window.

S p a c e c r a f t c o o l a n t i s c i r c u l a t e d through c o l d p l a t e s on
t h e crewman s i m u l a t o r s , and there i s normal oxygen f l o w
through them. They have no metabolic f u n c t i o n s .

GUIDANCE AND CONTROL SYSTEM

T h i s mission i s i n t e n d e d t o q u a l i f y t h e n e c e s s a r y space-
c r a f t systems, i n c l u d i n g secondary guidance and c o n t r o l , for
a manned f l i g h t . It i s i n t e n d e d t o demonstrate c r i t i c a l
system safety of f l i g h t modes of o p e r a t i o n under launch, o r b i t ,
and r e e n t r y environments. The d e s i g n of t h e manned system
depends upon t h e a s t r o n a u t s t o s e l e c t o p e r a t i n g modes as w e l l
as provide redundancy.

Since the s p a c e c r a f t i s unmanned, a crewman s i m u l a t o r

p r o v i d e s t h e n e c e s s a r y s i g n a l s t o accomplish mode and a t t i t u d e
s e l e c t i o n ; however, no p r o v i s i o n s are made t o switch t o r e -
dundant c r i t i c a l components. The automatic mode connecting
t h e a t t i t u d e c o n t r o l and maneuver e l e c t r o n i c s (ACME) system
t o t h e i n e r t i a l measurement u n i t has been a c t i v a t e d ( f o r
h o r i z o n t a l c o n t r o l , small end forward) t o provide t h e a t t i t u d e
r e f e r e n c e c a p a b i l i t y t o t h e ACME system.

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 -16-

The guidance and c o n t r o l system w i l l be used t o provide

automatic c o n t r o l of t h e s p a c e c r a f t a t t i t u d e o r a t t i t u d e r a t e s
from s p a c e c r a f t s e p a r a t i o n u n t i l p i l o t p a r a c h u t e deployment,
During countdown and launch, GLV automatic programing and
r a d i o guidance s y s t e m w i l l g e n e r a t e t h e n e c e s s a r y commands
f o r t h e GLV.

After t h e post-SECO c o r r e c t i o n i s computed and d i s p l a y e d ,

t h e i n e r t i a l guidance system w i l l r e c e i v e t h e s p a c e c r a f t
s e p a r a t i o n s i g n a l ; t h e sys’tern w i l l t h e n e n t e r t h e launch
a b o r t r e e n t r y c o n t r o l mode. The launch t e r m i n a l c o n d i t i o n s ,
as c a l c u l a t e d by t h e i n e r t i a l guidance system a t SECO, w i l l
be t r a n s f e r r e d t o t h e r e e n t r y c o n t r o l system as i n i t i a l con-
d i t i o n s commands t o i n s u r e l a n d i n g a t the p r e d i c t e d l a n d i n g
point .
The i n e r t i a l guidance system w i l l monitor t h e s e p a r a t i o n

and r e t r o f i r e maneuvers and g e n e r a t e r e e n t r y c o n t r o l s i g n a l s ;

however, f o r r e e n t r y these s i g n a l s w i l l n o t be t r a n s m i t t e d t o
t h e c o n t r o l system. The r e e n t r y i s a fixed-rate b a l l i s t i c t y p e .

The turn-around maneuver w i l l be i n i t i a t e d by t h e crewman

s i m u l a t o r s and c o n t r o l l e d by the a t t i t u d e c o n t r o l system
which w i l l be r e f e r e n c e d t o t h e i n e r t i a l platform. The p l a t -
form w i l l remain i n e r t i a l from l i f t - o f f u n t i l t h e 10,000
f o o t a l t i t u d e b a r o s t a t s i g n a l i s r e c e i v e d a f t e r r e e n t r y when
the i n e r t i a l guidance system w i l l be t u r n e d o f f . Reentry
n a v i g a t i o n and t h e c o n t r o l commands w i l l be monitored t o
demonstrate the r e e n t r y c o n t r o l s u i t a b i l i t y and accuracy.
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 -17-

Backup a t t i t u d e r e f e r e n c e w i l l be e s t a b l i s h e d by a camera
which w i l l r e c o r d l e f t window views of t h e h o r i z o n d u r i n g
e n t i r e f l i g h t ; however, t h e f i r s t p r i o r i t y i s t o determine
t h e h o r i z o n s i g h t i n g c a p a b i l i t i e s throughout r e e n t r y h e a t i n g .

The s p a c e c r a f t a t t i t u d e c o n t r o l system i s r e q u i r e d on

t h e GT-2 s p a c e c r a f t t o perform damping of s p a c e c r a f t rates

during and a f t e r s e p a r a t i o n ; t o roll t h e v e h i c l e t o , and
maintain t h e v e h i c l e a t , a h o r i z o n t a l a t t i t u d e s o t h a t t h e
h o r i z o n scanner and t h e h o r i z o n view cameras may o b t a i n
s u i t a b l e data; t o c o n t r o l turn-around and p i t c h maneuvers t o
achieve r e t r o a t t i t u d e ; t o c o n t r o l r e t r o a t t i t u d e d u r i n g r e t r o -
f i r e ; t o e s t a b l i s h and c o n t r o l s p a c e c r a f t a t t i t u d e d u r i n g
r e e n t r y ; and t o c o n t r o l t h e f i x e d r e e n t r y r a t e t o a c h i e v e a
high-heating r a t e t r a j e c t o r y .

The a t t i t u d e c o n t r o l system f o r GT-2 c o n s i s t s of t h e

a t t i t u d e c o n t r o l and maneuvering e l e c t r o n i c s , and a s s o c i a t e d
c o n t r o l s and d i s p l a y s .

PROPULSION

The r e e n t r y c o n t r o l system (RCS) w i l l provide t h r u s t i m -

p u l s e t o complete t h e turn-around f o r proper r e t r o f i r e

a t t i t u d e , w i l l hold t h e s p a c e c r a f t a t t i t u d e d u r i n g r e t r o f i r e ,
and will s t a b i l i z e t h e s p a c e c r a f t d u r i n g r e e n t r y u n t i l main
parachute deployment.
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 -18-

Redundant RCS r i n g s A and B a r e i n c o r p o r a t e d i n t o t h e

spacecraft. Each r i n g c o n t a i n s e i g h t 25-pound t h r u s t e r s .
During f i n a l countdown minutes, one r i n g of t h e RCS w i l l be
a c t i v a t e d ; upon v e r i f i c a t i o n of system performance through
a monitoring of s o u r c e and r e g u l a t e d p r e s s u r e s , two t h r u s t e r s
w i l l be f i r e d f o r a v i s u a l v e r i f i c a t i o n t h a t t h e s y s t e m i s
operable. The RCS w i l l t h e n remain i n a c t i v e u n t i l 30 seconds
a f t e r spacecraft-GLV s e p a r a t i o n when t h e second r i n g (second
s u b s y s t e m ) w i l l be a c t i v a t e d . The RCS w i l l c o n t i n u e i t s
o p e r a t i o n u n t i l main p a r a c h u t e deployment.

The o r b i t a t t i t u d e maneuver system (OAMS) w i l l be used

f'or s p a c e c r a f t s e p a r a t i o n from t h e GLV and f o r i n i t i a t i o n
of' turn-around p r i o r t o . t h e r e t r o f i r e maneuver. For t h i s
f l i g h t , o n l y two 100-pound-thrust a f t - f i r i n g e n g i n e s and two
25-pound-thrust yaw-right f i r i n g e n g i n e s w i l l be used i n
flight.

A l l t h r u s t o r s burn monomethyl h y d r a z i n e and n i t r o g e n

t e t r o x i d e i n Gemini i n c o n t r a s t t o t h e hydrogen p e r o x i d e
system employed i n Mercury.

Gemini r e t r o r o c k e t s a r e i n s t a l l e d f o r check-out of t h e i r
c a p a b i l i t y t o w i t h s t a n d launch, f o r o p e r a t i o n i n space, f o r

check-out of s p a c e c r a f t s t r u c t u r e t o w i t h s t a n d t h e t e m p e r a t u r e s
and loads imposed by r e t r o f i r e , a n d f o r a n i n f l i g h t demonstra-
t i o n of s a t i s f a c t o r y a l i g n m e n t , A l l f o u r r e t r o r o c k e t s w i l l be

used. Each s u c c e s s i v e engine w i l l be f i r e d a t 5.5-second

i n t e r v a l s after t h e f i r s t i g n i t i o n . Each r e t r o r o c k e t produces
approximately 2500 pounds of t h r u s t f o r a b o u t 5.5 seconds. -more-
 COMMUNICATIONS SUBSYSTEMS

The communications subsystems include: voice (HF, UHF,

voice control center); telemetry transmitters ( l o w frequency
for real time and high frequency for delayed time); tracking
subsystem (C-band and S-band transponders and acquisition
aid beacm); recovery subsystem ( U H F recovery beacon, flashing
light); antenna subsystem (recovery antenna, UHF stub antenna,
descent antenna, C-band helices, phase shifter, power divider,
HF and UHF whip antennas, C-band and S-band slots, quadriplexer,
and coaxial switches); time reference subsystem (electronic
timer, event timer, and clock).

LANDING AND RECOVERY SYSTEM

The pilot parachute is an 18-foot-diameter ringsail

parachute deployed by a mortar. The function of this para-
chute is to separate the R&R canister from the reentry module
and to prevent recontact of the R&R section with the main
parachute canopy.

The main parachute is an 84-foot-diameter ringsail

parachute designed to provide s t a b l e descent at a vertlcal
velocity of 30 feet per second at sea level.

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 -20-

The p a r a c h u t e deploys f r o m t h e open end of t h e R&R s e c t i o n

and s u p p o r t s t h e s p a c e c r a f t v e r t i c a l l y from a s i n g l e p o i n t
f T r 22 seconds. Then t h e s i n g l e p o i n t suspension i s r e l e a s e d ,
wh-ich p e r m i t s t h e s p a c e c r a f t t o r e p o s i t i o n to a two-point
b r i - d l e suspcnsj on. T h i s or-ients t h e s p a c e c r a f t i n t h e p r o p e r

1andLnZ a t t i t u d e , VJith t h e nose 35 degrees above t h e h o r i z o n .

Prior t o u s e , t h e forward b r i d l e s t r a p i s f o l d e d and r e t a i n e d
on the p a r a c h u t e assembly, and t h e a f t s t r a p i s stowed i n a
trough t h a t extends along t h e spacecraft; between t h e h a t c h e s .

EJECTION SEATS

Two e j e c t i o n seat a s s e m b l i e s have been reworked f o r

mountlng of t h e two crewman s i m u l a t o r s . Although o p e r a t i n g
elements of t h e e J e c t i o n system w i l l be flown, t h e s e s e a t s
wti.1 n o t be armed f o r e j e c t i o n . Both s e a t s a r e clamped
to t h e s e a t r a i l s to minimize v i b r a t i o n damage to t h e crewman
simulators.

PYROTECHNICS

T h i s s p a c e c r a f t w i l l P l i g h t t e s t a l l Gemini p y r o t e c h n i c

d e v i c e s except t h e doclclng bar, emergency docking r e l e a s e , and

landing gear devices.

Functional pyrotechnic s include :

A. F l e x i b l e l i n e a r - s h a p e d charges f o r s e p a r a t i n g t h e GLV
f o r w a r d sklrt i n t e r f a c e s e c t i o n f r o m t h e a d a p t e r equipment

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 -21-

compartment; a d a p t e r equipment s e c t i o n f r o m the a d a p t e r

r e t r o g r a d e s e c t i o n ; and a l l t u b e s , wire bundles, and t i t a n i u m
straps between t h e a d a p t e r r e t r o g r a d e s e c t i o n and t h e r e e n t r y
module.

B. N i l d d e t o n a t i n g f u s e f o r b r e a k i n g t h e attachment

b o l t s between t h e R&R and RCS s e c t i o n s .

C. G u i l l o t i n e s f o r s e v e r i n g v a r i o u s wire bundles and

cables.

D. Tubing c u t t e r s e a l e r s t o c u t t h e OAMS f u e l and

oxid-izer l l n e s between t h e equipment and r e t r o s e c t i o n s of
the adapter p r i o r t o r e t r o f i r e .

E. Horizon scanner f a i r i n g and h o r i z o n scanner r e l e a s e .

F. S e v e r a l e l e c t r i c c i r c u i t dead f a c i n g s w i t c h e s .

G. Valves i n t h e OAMS f u e l and o x i d i z e r systems.

H. Landing system d e v i c e s .

FUEL CELL

The f u e l c e l l , l o c a t e d i n t h e equipment s e c t i o n , w i l l be
flown t o e s t a b l i s h prelaunch a c t i v a t i o n and check-out procedures
and t o conf'irm its a b i l i t y t o f u n c t i o n p r o p e r l y a f t e r launch.

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 -22 -

The Gemini f u e l c e l l power system c o n s i s t s of two s e c t i o n s ,

each s e c t l o n ccmtaining t h r e e s t a c k s of 32 c e l l s each. Each
c e l l c o n t a i n s two c a t a l y t i c e l e c t r o d e s which e n c l o s e a n t o n
exchange menibranc. Each f u e l c e l l s e c t i o n i s c y l i n d r i c a l i n
shape, about 13 i n c h e s 3-n dlameter and 25 i n c h e s l o n g . The

weight of each s e c t i o n i s about 70 pounds.

Hydrogen i s passed to one s i d e of e a c h c e l l , then passed

through t h e membrane where i t r e a c t s w i t h oxygen to f o r i n w a t e r .
T h i s w a t e r i.s c o l l e c t e d by a serles of wiclcs and i s transported.
to t h e water c o l l e c t l o n system of t h e environmental c o n t r o l
system.

Coolant passes through t u b e s i n two loops 5.n each cell

and "is used t o c o n t r o l t h e f u e l c e l l temperature. The c o o l a n t
pr?ssc:s t h r m g h t h e s t a c ; ? s I n cach s e c t i o n i n serlies and through

bDth sec t-ions in p a r a l l e l .

The e l e c t r i c a l o u t p u t from each s t a c k w - i l l be f e d i n t o

a duixmy load onboard t h e s p a c e c r a f t . The f u e l c e l l wl. provide
no powcr to t h e s p a c e c b a f t e l e c t r l c a l system.

EhVIRONTJLENTAL CONTROL SYSTEN

The environmental c o n t r o l system (ECS) f o r GT-2 i s a

completely o p e r a t i o n a l system. The crewman simulators p r o v i d e
the requtred. manual c o n t r o l s f o r t h e ECS. These c o n t r o l s
( a ) a c t u a t e oxygen h i g h - r a t e f o r r e e n t r y , ( b ) open snorlcel
v a l v c and r e c i r c u l a t l o n v a l v e a t approximately 21,000 f e e t
 -23-

alt-itude during reentry, and (e) close water seal in cabin

relief valve at approximately 1,500 feet alt-itude.

The pressure drop of the pressure s u i t s w i l l be simulated

by an orifice in the crewman simulator.

THERMAL PROTECTION

The GT-2 reentry trajectory has been planned to qualify

the spacecraft's heat protection materials. For this mission,
the heat shield has been reduced to approximately one-half
the thickness of the production design in order to achieve
maximum heating rate reentry test conditions and high total
heat rate on the bondline of the afterbody.

As a further aid in the evaluation of heat protection mate-

rials, the spacecraft has been heavily instrumented with thermo-
couples. They are generally located on the inside surface of
the outer structure. In addition eight static pressure
transducers are installed on the afterbody to assist in the
definition of the thermal environment and heating rates; an
additional primary purpose of these transducers is to compare
the flight pressures with those obtained from earlier wind
tunnel tests.

CAMERAS

Three 16mm black and white motion picture cameras are

mounted on the crew simulator pallets to monitor the panel
instruments during the GT-2 mission.
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 -24-

In addition, a 16mm miniature color motion picture camera is

mounted on the left pallet assembly to photograph the view
from the spacecraft commander's window. This camera will
start operating at retrofire and run for 12 minutes.

GEMINI LAUNCH VEHICLE [ GLV)

The Gemini Launch Vehicle is a modified Titan 11. Its

overall length, including the spacecraft, is 109 feet. The
spacecraft is 19 feet long; GLV stage I is 63 feet; and
stage I1 is 27 feet. Fueled wei-ght, including spacecraft,
is 31CO,OOO pounds.

Propulsion is provided by two stage I and one stage I1

liquid propellant engines which burn a 50-50 blend of monomeythl
hydraz-ineand unsymmetrical-dimethyl hydrazine as fuel, with
nitrogen tetroxide as oxi-dizer. Stage I engines produce about
LC30,OOO pounds of thrust at lift-off, and the stage I1 engine

produces about 100,000 pmnds OS thrust at altitude. Fuels

are storable for e a s y handling and hyper>golic (ignite on contact
lvith each other), whjch eliminates the need for an ignition
system.

GLV modifications include:

A. Malfunction Detection System to sense problems in any

of the booster systems and transmit this information to the
flight crew.

B. Redundant flight control system.

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 -25-

C. Redundancy in the electrical system.

D. Substitution of radio guidance for inertial guidance

to provide a weight reduction and a more responsive system
during critical orbital injection.

E. Elimination of retro and vernier rockets.

F. New truss in second stage to hold new flight control,

MDS, and guidance equipment.

G. New stage I1 forward oxidizer skirt assembly t o mate

the launch vehicle with the spacecraft.

H. Simplification of trajectory tracking requirements

necessary for range safety by use of MISTRAM (Missile Tracking
Measurement) system.

I. Redundancy in hydraulic systems where desirable f o r

pilot safety, such as hydraulic actuators f o r engine gimballing.

J. Instrumentation to provide additional data during

preflight check-out and flight.

GLV program management f o r NASA is under the direction of

the Space Systems Division of the Air Force Systems Command.

Contractors include: air frame and system integration, Martin,
Baltimore (Md. ) Division; propulsion systems, Aerojet-General
Corp., Sacramento, Calif.; radio command guidance system,
General Electric Co., Syracuse, N. Y.; ground guidance computer,

Burroughs Cory., Paoli, Pa.; systems engineering and technical

-mnve-
 -26-

direction, Aerospace Corp., El Segundo, Calif,

RANGE SAFETY

GLV-2 contains a range safety flight-termination system

which permits the Range Safety Officer to track the launch
vehicle, terminate engine thrust, and physically destroy the
vehicle if necessary to protect property and personnel from
an uncontrolled vehicle.

NETWORK OPERATIONS

Tracking network support for this misslon is limited to

Cape Kennedy and the Eastern Test Range stations, supplemented
by ships and aircraft.

Computers at the Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt,

Md., will process flight data to be dfsplayed in the Mission
Control Center.

Data will be gathered in both delayed and real time. Data

gathering consists of radar and telemetry recording capability
p l u s command control and guidance check-out throughout the
flight phase.

Radars at Cape Kennedy and Patrick Air Force Base will

track the vehicle during launch. Stations at Grand Bahama Island
and Grand Turk will have radar, telemetry am command control
 -27-

c a p a b i l i t y ; E l e u t h e r a w i l l provide MISTRAM t r a c k ; San Salvador

w i l l t r a c k by r a d a r ; and Antigua w i l l provide t e r m i n a l phase
inf'ormation. The t r a c k i n g s h i p Rose Knot V i c t o r w i l l be s t a t i o n e d
n o r t h of Grand Turk and w i l l r e c o r d t e l e m e t r y from SECO through
adapter r e t r o g r a d e s e c t i o n j e t t i s o n .

Playback of t e l e m e t r y recorded onboard t h e s p a c e c r a f t

w i l l begin a t an a l t i t u d e of about 62,000 f e e t d u r i n g d e s c e n t
and w i l l continue a f t e r t h e s p a c e c r a f t h a s landed. This
II
dump" t e l e m e t r y w i l l be recorded by ETR data g a t h e r i n g s h i p s
and a i r c r a f t i n t h e l a n d i n g a r e a .

EC-121 radar a i r c r a f t w i l l provide t r a c k i n g data d u r i n g

the f l i g h t , also.

OPTICAL T R A C K I N G

Traclting cameras and o t h e r o p t i c a l i n s t r u m e n t s w i l l be

l o c a t e d a t F a l s e Cape, W i l l i a m s P o i n t , P a t r i c k AFB, Melbourne
Beach, Cocoa Beach, and Vero Beach. I n a d d i t i o n , camera-equipped
j e t a i r c r a f t and w i l l attempt t o photogr-aph t h e e a r l y p a r t of
the booster f l i g h t .

RECOVERY

Gemini recovery procedures a r e based on t e c h n i q u e s proved

i n P r o j e c t Mercury. Recovery f o r c e s a r e provided by t h e Department
of Defense.

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 -28 -
For t h i s f l i g h t , the launch s i t e recovery f o r c e w i l l be
e x e r c i s e d i n p r e p a r a t i o n f o r upcoming manned m i s s i o n s .

Shortly before lift-off', A i r Rescue S e r v i c e recovery h e l i -

c o p t e r s w i l l proceed p a r a l l e l to t h e GLV f l i g h t azimuth and
w i l l be immediately a v a i l a b l e i n c a s e of an a b o r t on t h e pad
or d u r i n g e a r l y launch phases. S u r f a c e s h i p s w i l l a l s o be
i n the a r e a ,

A i r Rescue S e r v i c e a i r c r a f t and p a r a r e s c u e men w i l l be

a v a i l a b l e i n areas a l o n g t h e ground t r a c k o u t s i d e t h e planned

landing area. C r e w s and equipment w i l l be a v a i l a b l e a t Cape
Kennedy, Grand Turk, and P i a r c o , T r i n i d a d . Fixed wing a i r -
c r a f t t o be used .include HU-lG's, Hc-54'~and H c - 9 7 ' ~ .

The launch a b o r t a r e a o r i g i n a t e s 15 n a u t i c a l m i l e s seaward

of t h e launch pad, extends 50 n a u t i c a l m i l e s e i t h e r s i d e of
t h e ground t r a c k , and c o n t i n u e s along t h e ground t r a c k t o t h e

planned l a n d i n g a r e a . A i r c r a f t can reach any p o i n t i n t h e a r e a

w i t h i n two h o u r s . S u r f a c e recovery s h i p s a r e s t a t i o n e d s o t h a t
any p o i n t i n t h e a r e a can be reached by s h i p w i t h i n 1 2 hours.

Prime recovery s h i p i s t h e a i r c r a f t c a r r i e r , USS I n t r e p i d .

Navy s w i m m e r s w i l l be t a k e n t o t h e s p a c e c r a f t a r e a by h e l i c o p t e r s
from t h e I n t r e p i d t o i n s t a l l a f l o t a t i o n c o l l a r around t h e space-
craft. T h i s w i l l provide a d d i t i o n a l buoyancy u n t i l t h e space-
c r a f t can be l i f t e d aboard t h e I n t r e p i d b y a c r a n e .

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 -29-

USAF p a r a r e s c u e men w i l l i n s t a l l a f l o t a t i o n c o l l a r i f t h e l a n d i n g
i s i n a contingency a r e a .

Two d e s t r o y e r s , t h e USS Ault and t h e USS Massey, have been

f i t t e d w i t h NASA-designed c r a n e s and w i l l be a v a i l a b l e f o r
s p a c e c r a f t recovery i n contingency a r e a s . Other recovery f o r c e s
deployed a l o n g the ground t r a c k w i l l c o n s i s t of f o u r o t h e r
d e s t r o y e r s , a n A R S and v a r i o u s a i r c r a f t f o r weather recconnai ssance,
photo o b s e r v a t i o n and t e l e m e t r y dump.

Following completion of p o s t l a n d i n g procedures a f t e r

recovery, t h e s p a c e c r a f t w i l l be r e t u r n e d t o Cape Kennedy by
aircraft.

-end-