Gemini 4 by David J. Shayler

Gemini 4 by David J. Shayler

Author:David J. Shayler
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9783319766751
Publisher: Springer International Publishing


Data suggested that there would be no further requirement to maneuver the spacecraft to maintain its orbital altitude during the four-day mission. With Gemini 4 orbiting the world at about 185 statute miles apogee and 103 statute miles perigee (297.6 x 165.7 km), it was calculated that there was a greater level of fuel on board than anticipated, as the second rendezvous exercise with the spent Titan second stage had been scrubbed. Oxygen levels were nominal. On the ground, they were trying to work out why Gemini 4 had needed more fuel than expected to station-keep with the booster in the first place and until they had done so, the Capcom advised the crew to proceed with the flight plan while they worked the problem through. “We had a couple of pretty exciting moments there,” McDivitt remarked about the rendezvous.

Now that White was no longer dependent upon the long umbilical to feed oxygen and was back on the suit ECS circuit, the Capcom wished him a good nap. McDivitt then queried why they wanted the ECS O2 switch turned off, to which the reply came that it was no longer needed as the pressure inside the spacecraft would sustain itself at 42 percent. It was now time to shut down most of the spacecraft’s systems in order to save both fuel and electrical energy on their batteries. The longer-life fuel cells would not be flown until Gemini 5.

McDivitt:

“It is now 6+35 elapsed [6 hours 35 minutes since launch], and I’m powering down the spacecraft completely. We had turned off the platform and the computer earlier after checking with the ground and completing our EVA. I’m powering down the rest of it at this time.”



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