Space Flight by Erickson Lance K.;

Author:Erickson, Lance K.;
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Government Institutes
Published: 2010-09-19T04:00:00+00:00

Figure 7.6. View of the Gemini VII capsule from Gemini VI-A. Source: NASA JSC.

Although problems arose with the OAMS thrusters and the fuel cells during the mission, deorbit and splashdown were uneventful and went as planned, with the landing only 10 km from the planned point. The Gemini VII capsule is on display at the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum annex at Washington Dulles International Airport, Virginia.

Gemini VI-A (GT-6)

Gemini VI was delayed in its launch because of the Agena Target Vehicle launch failure. GT-VI was placed in orbit on December 15, 1965, for a one-day mission, with the designation VI-A. The crew of Walter Schirra (command pilot) and Thomas Stafford (pilot) participated in America’s first space rendezvous with Borman and Lovell on Gemini VII. Rendezvous exercises included station-keeping for more than five hours, at distances that ranged from 0.3 m to 90 m (1 to 295 ft) (Hacker and Grimwood 1977).

With the Agena target vehicle unavailable, the primary objective of the Gemini VI-A mission was switched to a rendezvous exercise with the Gemini VII capsule.

Secondary objectives included:

• Perform closed-loop rendezvous in the fourth orbit

• Station keeping with Gemini VII

• Evaluate reentry guidance capability

• Conduct visibility tests for rendezvous using Gemini VII as target

• Perform three experiments

Gemini VI-A’s one-day mission ended successfully, with a nominal deorbit and reentry, and a splashdown within 18 km of the programmed splashdown. The Gemini VI-A capsule is on long-term loan from the Smithsonian Institution, which includes appearances at several sites throughout the United States.

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