Wednesday, November 28, 2012

Science and Technology

Gemini 8
Gemini 8 was the 6th crewed Earth-orbiting space ship of the Gemini series. Gemini 8 launched on March 16, 1966 from Cape Canaveral Launch Complex 14, Florida. There was a one day delay in launching the spacecraft because of the slight problems with the spacecraft and launch vehicle hardware. Gemini 8 had 2 crew members.  They were Neil A. Armstrong (Command Pilot) and David R Scott (Pilot).  They also had back up crew Conrad, Gordon. Gemini 8 noticed as the first successful twin launch and docking with the Gemini Agena Target Vehicle, concluding the world's first on-orbit docking of two spacecraft. The Gemini mission was planned for 3 days but was canceled in first day in space. Six hours after launch Gemini 8 successfully docked with Gemini Agena Target Vehicle that was launched on March 16, 1966 (couple hours earlier than Gemini 8) from Complex 14. However, because of the problem that occurred to space craft electronic control system, the astronauts were required to undock after almost 30 minutes. This problem forced the crew to land before the original schedule in the Pacific Ocean on March 17, 1966.The duration of Gemini 8 flight was 10 hours and 41 minutes and no extravehicular activity happened.
 
Gemini 10
Gemini 10 was the 8th crewed Earth-orbiting space ship of the Gemini series. Gemini 10 launched on July 18, 1966 from complex 19, Cape Kennedy Canaveral, Florida, with the mass of 3762.6 kg (8295.11308 pound) and inserted to orbit with the altitude of 753.3 km (468.078919 mile). Gemini 10 had 2 crew members John W. Young, and Michael Collins and 2 back up crew Alan L. Bean, and Clifton C. Williams Jr. The primary objective of Gemini 10 was to manner engagement and docking tests with the Agena target vehicle, and 2 EVA (extravehicular activity)testing tours , astronauts had about 1 hour and 30 minutes extravehicular activity. Scientific objectives of Gemini 10 were synoptic environment, synoptic weather photography, ion wake dimensions, and meteoroid erosion. At orbit supplement Gemini 10 was nearby 1600 km (994.1939 mile) behind the Gemini Agena Aim Vehicle 10 which had been launched into a near circular orbit almost 100 minutes earlier. The Gemini 10 mission duration was 2 days, 22 hours and 46 minutes.  The Gemini 10 also orbited the Earth 43 times. On July 21, 1966, Gemini 10 landed on the western Atlantic 875 km (543.6998 mile) east of Cape Kennedy and 6.3 km (3.914639) off from the target point.
 
 
 
 
 
 

2 comments:

  1. In response to the Gemini 8 & 10 post:
    I just want to start off by saying that the name “Gemini” name is really cool; I have never heard anything named that way before. I wonder where they got the name. I wonder what type of electronic system occurred that made them evacuate the mission. I think it’s very interesting that people are devoted to flying into space to know our surroundings. I also wonder what the astronauts do during their free time. I mean I know I would probably just be looking out a window the whole time because I would be very amazed by everything. Thanks for sharing these posts, they are very interesting and educational as well.
    -Maria Marquez

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  2. In response to Gemini 8 and Gemini 10
    I imagine it must be unbelievably scary to have to deal with space malfunctions. Did I understand right the the mission only lasted 30 minutes or was that how long they had to deal with the problem? I remember watching the new Star Trek movie and thinking about how there was a simulation designed so that the mission would fail. The point of the simulation was to deal with fear and learn to cope with the incredible burden of caring for your other crew members. Wow, to know that every time you get into a space craft you may die.
    - John Osorio

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