|
Gemini Information
Gemini Home
Overview
Goals
Spacecraft
Flight Summary
Missions
JSC Gemini Image Directory
JSC Gemini IX Image Directory
On the Shoulders of Titans:
A History of Project Gemini
|
Gemini IX-A
Pad LC-19 (24)
Titan-II (9)
EVA
Gemini-IX-a capsule |
Altitude: 311.5km (168nm)
Inclination: 28.86 degrees
Orbits: 47
Duration: 72 hours, 20 min, 50 seconds
Distance: 2,020,741km |
Primary objective was to perform rendezvous and docking and conduct EVA.
Secondary objectives included: Rendezvous with ATDA (launched 6/1/66 from Complex 14) in 3rd revolution. Conduct systems evaluation and
equi-period rendezvous. Execute 7 experiments. Practice Docking,
rendezvous from above and demonstrate controlled reentry. The original crew of Gemini-IX,
Elliott M. See and
Charles Bassett were killed in an airplane
crash on February 28, 1966. The backup crew was named to the prime crew positions.
Spacecraft weight: 3750kg. ATDA weight: 1088kg
|
June 3, 1966 8:39:33.335 am EST. GT-9 was postponed when TLV 5303 with Gemini
Agena target vehicle GATV-5004 malfunctioned on May 17. In its place, a substitute target
was used for GT-9A; the Augmented Target Docking Adapter (ATDA) was launched by an
Atlas on June 1, 1966 (TLV-5304) from Launch Complex 14. However, GT-9A was not launched the same day as planned due to a guidance system computer problem. After a brief
hold, the spacecraft was launched on the 3rd day.
|
June 6, 1966. Landing was at 27deg 52min N and 75deg 0.4min West. Miss distance .704
miles (.38nm). Recovery ship USS Wasp (crew onboard in 52 min).
|
Primary objective of rendezvous and docking was only partially achieved because the
shroud on the ATDA failed to jettison. Instead GT-9A performed a number of rendezvous
maneuvers, including a simulation of lunar module rendezvous. EVA time was 2
hours, 9 minutes, a new EVA endurance record. During EVA maneuvers, Cernan's visor became fogged, and he was unable to test the Air
Force astronaut maneuvering unit.
Secondary objective experiment S-10, Agena Micrometerorite Collection experiment was
not attempted because EVA did not take place near Gemini Agena target vehicle (GATV).
|
