Gemini Flies! : Unmanned Flights and the First Manned Mission / by David J. Shayler.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Shayler, David J., Author.

Series:

Space Exploration

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Technology.

Aerospace engineering.

Astronautics.

Space sciences.

Popular Science in Technology.

Aerospace Technology and Astronautics.

Space Sciences (including Extraterrestrial Physics, Space Exploration and Astronautics).

Local Subjects:

Popular Science in Technology.

Aerospace Technology and Astronautics.

Space Sciences (including Extraterrestrial Physics, Space Exploration and Astronautics).

Physical Description:

1 online resource (358 pages)

Edition:

1st ed. 2018.

Place of Publication:

Cham : Springer International Publishing : Imprint: Springer, 2018.

Summary:

In May 1961, President John F. Kennedy committed the United States to landing a man on the moon before the end of the decade. With just a handful of years to pull it off, NASA authorized the Project Gemini space program, which gathered vital knowledge needed to achieve the nation’s goal. This book introduces the crucial three-step test program employed by the Gemini system, covering: The short unmanned orbital flight of Gemini 1 that tested the compatibility of launch vehicle, spacecraft and ground systems. The unmanned suborbital flight of Gemini 2 to establish the integrity of the reentry system and protective heat shield. The three-orbit manned evaluation flight of Gemini 3, christened ‘Molly Brown’ by her crew. A mission recalled orbit by orbit, using mission transcripts, post-flight reports and the astronauts’ own account of their historic journey. The missions of Project Gemini was the pivotal steppingstone between Project Mercury and the Apollo Program. Following the success of its first two unmanned missions and the exploits of Gus Grissom and John Young on Gemini 3, NASA gained the confidence to plan an even bolder step on its next mission, as described in the next book in this series on Gemini 4.

Contents:

Author's Preface

Acknowledgements

Dedication

Foreword by Colin Burgess

Abbreviations and Acronyms

Prologue: Molly Brown is on her way

Chapter 1: Mercury Mark II

Chapter 2: A "Clean and Green" Flying Machine

Chapter 3: Ramming the Atmosphere

Chapter 4: Preparations

Chapter 5: Guts and John

Chapter 6: All Systems Look Go

Chapter 7: Molly Brown "Performing Nicely"

Chapter 8: Got Your Seat Belts Hooked?

Chapter 9: The Unsinkable Molly Brown. Chapter 10: Gemini Operational

Appendix I

Appendix II

Appendix III

Bibliography

About the author

Other works by the author

Index.

ISBN:

3-319-68142-7