Gemini 2Spacecraft:S/C-2 Launch Vehicle: Titan II GLV-2 12557 Launched: 19 Jan 1965 |
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Description: 1st Gemini Titan II unmanned suborbital |
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Decay Date: 1965-01-19
"Major objectives of this mission were to demonstrate the adequacy of the spacecraft reentry module's heat protection during a maximum heating- rate reentry, the structural integrity of the spacecraft from liftoff through reentry, and the satisfactory performance of spacecraft systems. Secondary objectives included obtaining test results on communications, cryogenics, fuel cell and reactant supply system, and further qualification of the launch vehicle. All objectives were achieved, with one exception: no fuel cell test results were obtained because the system malfunctioned before liftoff and was deactivated. GT-2 was a suborbital ballistic flight which reached a maximum altitude of 92.4 nautical miles. Retrorockets fired 6 minutes 54 seconds after launch, and the spacecraft landed in the Atlantic Ocean 11 minutes 22 seconds later--1848 nautical miles southeast of the launch site. Full duration of the mission was 18 minutes 16 seconds." The spacecraft used for the Gemini 2 mission was later refurbished, and was subsequently launched on another suborbital flight as a test for the US Air Force Manned Orbital Laboratory. References:
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