Location
Cocoa Beach, FL
Start Date
7-3-1966 8:00 AM
Description
Although manned space flight is still in its infancy, testing of launch vehicles has progressed to a high degree of sophistication.
As of December 1965, the Martin-built Gemini launch vehicle has launched seven Gemini spacecraft successfully out of seven attempts. This remarkable record was made possible by two facts:
1. The basic reliability of the hardware
2. The test program.
This paper briefly describes the Gemini launch vehicle noting the major differences between it and the Titan II and discusses the test program. It is not proposed that this is the only method of testing a man-rated launch vehicle; however, it is a successful one.
The Gemini launch vehicle is a basic Air Force Titan II which has been modified in certain areas to achieve man-rating (see Figure 1).
Testing the Man-Rated Launch Vehicle
Cocoa Beach, FL
Although manned space flight is still in its infancy, testing of launch vehicles has progressed to a high degree of sophistication.
As of December 1965, the Martin-built Gemini launch vehicle has launched seven Gemini spacecraft successfully out of seven attempts. This remarkable record was made possible by two facts:
1. The basic reliability of the hardware
2. The test program.
This paper briefly describes the Gemini launch vehicle noting the major differences between it and the Titan II and discusses the test program. It is not proposed that this is the only method of testing a man-rated launch vehicle; however, it is a successful one.
The Gemini launch vehicle is a basic Air Force Titan II which has been modified in certain areas to achieve man-rating (see Figure 1).
