While the Mercury project proved that man can fly in space, during the project Gemini, man learned how to fly to the Moon. This is the importance of Gemini: learning how to get to the Moon. Gemini was special because without it the Apollo program would not have been ready to fly its missions. Gemini had 10 missions planed, and with each new mission, risk was escalading. Every Gemini mission tested a critical procedure in the flight to the Moon. [1] Missions were flown just a few weeks apart in the rush to accomplish the required skills to fly to the Moon by the end of the decade. Gemini taught the astronauts how to become familiar with the rocket and capsule, walk in space, rendezvous with another vehicle, spending enough time in space to travel to the Moon and back, and docking and operating two spacecraft in space.
Launched in March 23, 1965 Gemini 3 tested the new rocket (a converted ballistic missile) and the capsule, trying to return to Earth alive. This was the first time two Americans flew together in space. They practiced changing altitude and orbit, critical maneuvers on the trip to the Moon. Reentry was faulty because the rotation of the Earth was not included in the calculations and the capsule of Gemini 3 splashed down off-target. [2] Next step was walking in space. The EVA (extravehicular activity) was a key element that had to be accomplished before going to the Moon, to learn how it is like to float and live in space. This mission had to test the efficiency of the flight suit in keeping astronauts alive. The first American space walk occurred on Gemini 4. [3]
Rendezvous with another vehicle was the next critical step. This was the mission of Gemini 6 and 7. Gemini 6 and 7 had to find each other in orbit and fly inches apart. Despite the difficulties encountered during this mission, Gemini 6 and 7 capsules were able to rendezvous and fly in tight formation for 270 minutes, three orbits of the Earth. Gemini 7 also completed a two weeks mission in space to prove that astronauts can survive a long trip to the Moon and back. [4] The last critical maneuver was docking two spacecrafts in space. This mission was accomplished by Gemini 8, despite the issues encountered during the mission that led to landing to the next closest landing area to the original landing site. [5]
Teaching astronauts how to work in the vacuum of space was next. Gemini 9 attempted the longest space walk ever, but failed, together with the following two Gemini missions. After modifying the spacesuit and training methods, the last Gemini mission, Gemini 12 tried again and succeeded three EVAs (five hours). [6] Gemini ended in triumph, setting the stage for a mission to the Moon.
The accomplishments of the Apollo program would not have been possible without Gemini. The main, most important skills required for going to the Moon and returning back to Earth alive were acquired by NASA’s astronauts during the Gemini program. Gemini provided a solid foundation of technology, a team, and the confidence to go to the Moon.
Notes:
[1] Butterworth, Tyler. When We Left Earth: The NASA Missions. Dangerous Films, 2008.
[2] Ibid.
[3] Ibid.
[4] Ibid.
[5] Ibid.
[6] Ibid.
Bibliography
Butterworth, Tyler. When We Left Earth: The NASA Missions, Episode 2: Friends and Rivals. Dangerous Films, 2008.
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