Gemini 11

Infobox Space mission
mission_name = Gemini 11
spacecraft_name = Gemini 11
booster =
insignia = Gemini 11 patch.png insignia_size = 180px
sign = Gemini 11
crew_members = 2
launch_pad = LC-19 (CCAF)
launch = September 12, 1966, 14:42:26 UTC
landing = September 15, 1966, 13:59:35 UTC
coord|24|15.4|N|70|0|W
duration = 2d/23:17:09
orbits = 44
apogee = convert|279.1|km|nmi|lk=on (1st orbit)
perigee = convert|160.5|km|nmi (1st orbit)
period = 88.89 min (1st orbit)
inclination = 28.83°
mass = convert|3798.4|kg|lb|lk=on
crew_photo = S65-58504.jpg
crew_caption = (L-R) Gordon, Conrad
previous =
next =

Gemini 11 (officially Gemini XI) was a 1966 manned spaceflight in NASA's Gemini program. It was the 9th manned Gemini flight, the 17th manned American flight and the 25th spaceflight of all time (includes X-15 flights over 100 km).

Crew

Number in parentheses indicates number of spaceflights by each individual prior to and including this mission.
*Charles Conrad, Jr (2) - Command Pilot
*Richard F. Gordon, Jr. (1) - Pilot

Backup crew

*Neil A. Armstrong (1) - Command Pilot
*William A. Anders - Pilot

Mission parameters

*Mass: 3,798.4 kg

Highest orbit (followed twice):
*Perigee: 289.7 km
*Apogee: 1374.1 km (a record; apart from the missions to the Moon this has, as of 2008, never been surpassed)
*Inclination: 28.85°
*Period: 101.52 min

Docking

*Docked: September 12, 1966 - 16:16:00 UTC
*Undocked: September 14, 1966 - 16:55:00 UTC

pace walk

* Gordon - EVA 1
**Start: September 13, 1966, 14:44:00 UTC
**End: September 13, 1966, 15:17:00 UTC
**Duration: 0 hours, 33 minutes
* Gordon - EVA 2 (stand up)
**Start: September 14, 1966, 12:49:00 UTC
**End: September 14, 1966, 14:57:00 UTC
**Duration: 2 hours, 08 minutes

ee also

* Agena Target Vehicle
* Extra-vehicular activity
* List of spacewalks
* Splashdown

Objectives

With Apollo looming on the horizon, Gemini project managers wanted to accomplish a rendezvous immediately after reaching orbit, just as it would have to be done around the Moon. Only 85 minutes after launch, Conrad and Gordon matched orbits with their Agena target stage and docked several times. Conrad had originally hoped for a Gemini flight around the Moon, but had to settle for the highest Earth orbit ever reached by an American manned spacecraft (1374 kilometer altitude). Gordon's first space-walk once again proved more difficult than ground simulations, and had to be cut short when he became overtired. A second, two-hour "stand-up" space walk went more smoothly: Gordon even fell asleep while floating halfway out the hatch. An experiment to link the Agena and Gemini vehicles with a 30 meter tether (which Gordon had attached during his space-walk) and rotate the joined pair was troublesome. Conrad had problems keeping the tether taut, but was able to generate a modicum of "artificial gravity." The mission ended with the first totally automatic, computer-controlled reentry by the U.S., which brought Gemini XI down only 4.5 kilometers from its recovery ship.

Experiments

The 12 scientific experiments were (1) synergistic effect of zero-g and radiation on white blood cells, (2) synoptic terrain photography, (3) synoptic weather photography, (4) nuclear emulsions, (5) airglow horizon photography, (6) UV astronomical photography, (7) Gemini ion wake measurement, and (8) dim sky photography.

Reentry

The reentry was the first computer-controlled reentry in the US space program. They landed only 4.5 km away from the intended landing site and were recovered by USS "Guam".

The Gemini 11 mission was supported by the following U.S. Department of Defense resources; 9,054 personnel, 73 aircraft and 13 ships.

Insignia

On the Gemini 11 crew insigina, stars are used to mark the major milestones of the mission. The first orbit Agena rendezvous is marked by a small gold star just above the earth, to the left. The Agena docking is marked by a large star on the left. The star at the top marks the record high apogee (1,374 km) reached by Gemini 11. Finally the star on right marks Dick Gordon's spacewalk. The docking, record apogee and spacewalk are also shown on the patch by the Agena, orbital apogee path and spacewalking astronaut. The patch is done in US Navy colors, blue and gold. Conrad and Gordon were both members of the US Navy.

Capsule location

The capsule is on display at the California Science Center in Los Angeles, California.

External links

* [http://www.hq.nasa.gov/office/pao/History/SP-4203/cover.htm On The Shoulders of Titans: A History of Project Gemini]
* [http://www.genedorr.com/patches/Intro.html Spaceflight Mission Patches]
* http://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/database/MasterCatalog?sc=1966-081A
* U.S. Space Objects Registry http://usspaceobjectsregistry.state.gov/search/index.cfm