This animated NASA educational film describes the Gemini Program Mission concept. The Gemini program took place between NASA’s Mercury and Apollo eras in the mid-sixties. The main objectives included testing long duration flight as well as rendezvous missions. All of the information collected from these missions were to further aid NASA and Department of Defense goals. The film opens with the NASA seal (:12). The opening animation depicts NASA’s desire to send humans to the moon and later to Mars (:36). Engine separation is depicted in orbit in space (1:32). Mid-course correction maneuvers would be utilized in order to conduct a rendezvous (2:16), docking maneuvers and stage keeping (1:48). The Gemini program was considered to be an intermediary step towards getting astronauts to the moon (2:42). Long term duration flight was to be tested (3:00) including the astronauts communication and systems of life support. New methods with which the craft and astronauts aboard were to re-enter Earth’s atmosphere were to be explored (3:27). The use of the paraglider during the re-entry phase is highlighted (3:54). The Gemini mission time schedule was considerably short (4:51). Much of the information to be used for these missions were drawn from project Mercury (5:03). The structure of the Mercury spacecraft is compared to the Gemini craft (5:17). The life supporting chamber for the astronauts is depicted (5:28). Much of the equipment was comprised in modular form (5:43) for ease of repair and maintenance. The ability to control yaw, roll and pitch (6:26) was vital. The Agena rocket vehicle was to be the rendezvous target (7:02). The Atlas was to be used for launching (7:10). The two-stage Titan II was to boost the craft into orbit (8:20). The launching point for rendezvous is discussed (9:26). The film notes the incredible challenge presented by such a mission (11:05). The circular path which Cape Canaveral follows as the Earth rotates is highlighted situated farther north than the equator (12:23). The window of launch is discussed (13:25). Cape Canaveral in Florida is pointed out on a map (13:42). The crafts fuel provisions extended the launch window time period (14:11). Flights were planned in accordance with ground tracking networks which wrap around the world (14:24). These points move as the Earth rotates (14:53) setting them off balance from the crafts planned orbit (14:53) though intermittent periods of communication would be possible. The craft was to complete sixteen orbits to the Earth’s completion of one rotation (15:26). Animation shows the crafts heat shield burning as it re-enters the Earth’s atmosphere (15:54). Changes in orbit and mid-course corrections are demonstrated (17:34). The Gemini’s onboard radar system is demonstrated (18:04) which provided constant information on range. The animation then shows the point which is known as the volume of capture as the crafts near one another (19:07). This maneuver could be conducted with radar or through the pilot’s direct visualization (19:22). Short bursts from the Gemini propulsion system would bring the crafts closer (19:34). The docking maneuver is shown as the two crafts unite (20:07). Extravehicular activity was also looked to to be conducted in these missions as well (20:15). Success in these missions would complete the first phase of the Gemini program (20:50).

Project Gemini (1961-1966) was NASA’s second human spaceflight program. The Gemini spacecraft carried a two-astronaut crew. Ten Gemini crews and 16 individual astronauts flew low Earth orbit (LEO) missions during 1965 and 1966.

Gemini’s objective was the development of space travel techniques to support the Apollo mission to land astronauts on the Moon. In doing so, it allowed the United States to catch up and overcome the lead in human spaceflight capability the Soviet Union had obtained in the early years of the Space Race, by demonstrating: mission endurance up to just under 14 days, longer than the eight days required for a round trip to the Moon; methods of performing extra-vehicular activity (EVA) without tiring; and the orbital maneuvers necessary to achieve rendezvous and docking with another spacecraft. This left Apollo free to pursue its prime mission without spending time developing these techniques.

This film is part of the Periscope Film LLC archive, one of the largest historic military, transportation, and aviation stock footage collections in the USA. Entirely film backed, this material is available for licensing in 24p HD, 2k and 4k. For more information visit http://www.PeriscopeFilm.com