 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
Gemini 12: America's Pathfinders To Beyond LEO
Los Angeles - Feb 18, 2004 In late 1966 the United States space program had surged into the lead in the race for the moon. In great part this success was attributable to the astonishing reliability of the two-man Gemini spacecraft. Originally conceived in early 1961 as an advanced follow-up to the Mercury program, Gemini proved to be a program unto itself. New technologies were devised and the brilliant modular design of Jim Chamberlin allowed Gemini the flexibility to perform almost everything that Apollo was designed for, with the exception of the ability of landing on the moon. The last Gemini flight would be flown by veteran Commander James Lovell and a brilliant rookie called Edwin "Buzz" Aldrin. Lovell's experience gained on Gemini 6 would prove the perfect foundation on which the newcomer Aldrin would be able to build a near-perfect science mission. The task of space-walking had proven arduous and dangerous on previous Gemini flights but after months of rigorous training underwater Aldrin was ready to prove that men could actually work comfortably in space. It was a critical exercise which would determine whether a moonwalking astronaut could survive the experience. After two scrubbed launches the final Gemini-Titan stack soared into low earth orbit and docked with its Agena target vehicle, placed aloft only an hour and a half earlier. Aldrin then spent over five hours working outside the spacecraft. His experience as a scuba diver gave him the edge needed to get the work done without exhausting himself as some of his predecessors had done. After 94� hours in space Lovell and Aldrin splashed into the Pacific Ocean within three miles of the recovery ship. The stage was now set for the final push for the moon. Bonus: As early as 1961, engineer Jim Chamberlin had wanted to send Gemini to the moon. For the first time details of this audacious plan are revealed in a rare document from 1965. Community Email This Article Comment On This Article Related Links Gemini 12 SpaceDaily Search SpaceDaily Subscribe To SpaceDaily Express Space Tourism, Space Transport and Space Exploration News
Spicing Up Space Meals
Los Angeles CA (SPX) Jan 04, 2006Since its launch a year and half ago, Minimus.biz has quickly become the place to go for individual and travel size items. Last week, NASA came to Minimus.biz and purchased several different travel size condiments to send with the astronauts to the International Space Station. |
|
|
| The content herein, unless otherwise known to be public domain, are Copyright 1995-2006 - SpaceDaily.AFP and UPI Wire Stories are copyright Agence France-Presse and United Press International. ESA PortalReports are copyright European Space Agency. All NASA sourced material is public domain. Additionalcopyrights may apply in whole or part to other bona fide parties. Advertising does not imply endorsement,agreement or approval of any opinions, statements or information provided by SpaceDaily on any Web page published or hosted by SpaceDaily. Privacy Statement |
