Project Gemini: America in Space Series

by Eugen Reichl

Overview

In just two-and-a-half years, beginning in 1964, two unmanned and ten manned flights took place in the Gemini program. This program was the turning point in the space race with the USSR; from then on the Americans took the lead. Flights lasting two weeks, into the Van Allen Belt, the first extravehicular activities, rendezvous maneuvers and docking with other spacecraft—all of this was achieved by Gemini, paving the way for the more demanding moon landing program. It was not all success, however. Like almost every significant undertaking, Project Gemini also had its dramas and tragedies. All Project Gemini missions are discussed, including details on all craft and the astronauts involved. Superb color, archival images, cutaways and plans are also included.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780764350702
Publisher:	Schiffer Publishing, Ltd.
Publication date:	03/28/2016
Series:	America in Space Series , #1
Pages:	144
Sales rank:	786,122
Product dimensions:	6.10(w) x 9.10(h) x 0.80(d)

About the Author

Eugen Reichl works for the EADS aviation and aerospace company. He is a known expert on aerospace technology and has authored books and specialty articles on the topic.

Table of Contents

Mercury's Legacy 4

No Success without Rendezvous 6

1961 - The Decisive Year 9

Mercury Becomes Mercury Mark II 10

Mercury Mark II Becomes Gemini 13

Contracts and a Program Office 16

Everything Goes Smoothly-Except the Parawing 17

Rough Waters for Parawing, Ejection Seats and Fuel Cells 18

The Problems Pile Op and Chamberlin Has To Go 22

New Program Director with Old Problems 25

New Problems Arise - Old Ones Are Solved 31

Tests, Tests, Tests 35

Even More Tests and the Maiden Flight 38

Stormy Weather 42

Questions Remain before the First Manned Flight 46

Grissom and Young, Schirra and Stafford 48

Mission of the Molly Brown 53

Extravehicular Activity 59

Make or Break It 77

The Rendezvous Is Cancelled 85

Two Weeks and a Visit 89

Twin Return before New Objectives 99

Gemini 8- Rescue from Space 103

Death in St. Louis 110

At the Limit 114

Rendezvous with Two Agenas 123

High Flight 129

Finale 137

Chronology 144