National Aeronautics and Space Administration

On the Shoulders of Titans: A History of Project Gemini

by

Barton C. Hacker

and

James M. Grimwood

Published as NASA Special Publication-4203 in the NASA History Series, 1977.

Page numbers from the original publication are included within the text within square brackets.

Very special thanks to David Woods for formatting this on-line version and to Chris Gamble for proofreading.

Table of Contents

Foreword

Preface

Chapter 1 - Between Mercury and Apollo

The Background of Rendezvous

Challenge from the Field

Mercury as Prologue

NASA after Two Years

Chapter 2 - The Transmutation of Mercury

New Directions

STG Plunges Ahead

Direct Ascent versus Rendezvous

The Advanced Capsule Design

Modification or Transmutation

A Technological Imperative

Chapter 3 - From Spacecraft to Project

More than a Spacecraft

Reaching for the Moon

Mercury Mark II Begins

The Last Obstacles

Justification for Gemini

Chapter 4 - Organising Project Gemini

The Prime Contracts

Running the New Project

The Contractors Get Moving

The Paraglider Controversy

A Quick Smooth Start

Chapter 5 - Expansion and Crisis

Changing Plans and Rising Costs

Some Foreseeable Problems and a Surprise

The Budget Crisis

Reprogramming Gemini

The Prospect for 1963

Chapter 6 - Challenge and Change

Blue Gemini

Chamberlin Departs

Gemini Regroups

Attacking paraglider and Titan II Problems

A Clouded Future

Chapter 7 - The Darkest Hour

Titan II in Jeopardy

Paraglider on the Wane

Spacecraft Systems Become More Troublesome

A New Headache

Silver Linings

Chapter 8 - Gemini Rising

Titan II Makes the Grade, But Not Paraglider

Money and Management Problems Again

A Set of Breakthroughs

Toward Gemini-Titan 1

Tightening Launch Schedules

Chapter 9 - A Taste of Success

The First Flight

Postscripts and Prospects

GLV-2 and the Elements

Setback and Success

Down to the Wire

A Vote of Confidence

Chapter 10 - The Last Hurdle

The Men for Gemini 3

The Machines for Gemini 3

Plans for Gemini 3

The Maneuvers of "Molly Brown"

Chapter 11 - Pillars of Confidence

Four Days and a "Walk"

Prelude to Gemini V

The Covered Wagon

Chapter 12 - "Spirit of '76"

"No Joy, No Joy"

The VII/VI-A Decision

Suitcase for a Fortnight

Two Weeks in a Spacecraft

Go Back to "Go"

The Visitors

The Home Stretch

Chapter 13 - Agena on Trial

Sickness to Health

An Alternative Target

Extravehicular Activity Preparations

Mission planning Comes of Age

The Whirligig

Agena's Solo

Chapter 14 - Charting New Space Lanes

Tragedy

The What and How Debates

Preparations for Gemini IX

Attempted Launches

An Angry Alligator

Laying New Tracks

The Switch Engine

Chapter 15 - The Final Curtain

Plotting the Way Up

A High Ride

The EVA Review Board

The Finale

Summing Up

Gemini Earth Photos: An Epilogue

Geology

Mt. Godwin-Austen (K-2) (S65-45648)

The Nile (S65-34780)

Rub-al-Khali, Arabia (S65-34765)

Cordillera Blanca, Peru (S66-38298)

Medina, Saudi Arabia (S65-34665)

Arabian Peninsula & Gulf of Oman (S65-34661)

Eastern Sahara (S66-54525)

Air-Au-Azbine Mountains, Niger (S65-63158)

Algerian Sahara (S65-63829)

Baja California (S65-45586)

Sinai & Middle East (S66-54893)

Oceanography

Bahamas (S65-45760)

Texas-Louisiana Gulf Coast (S66-63032)

Taiwan & Formosa Strait (S66-45868)

Florida Keys (S65-34766)

Weather

Sunset over Andes (S65-63780)

Southern tip of India (S66-54676)

Namib Desert and Atlantic Coast (S65-45579)

Circular Feature in Sahara (S65-34670)

Vortex off Moroccan Coast (S65-45665)

Water Resources

Cape Canaveral, Florida (S65-45599)

Ethiopian Lakes (S65-63162)

Colorado River (S65-34673)

South-central Iran (S65-45720)

Yangtze River, China (S65-45713)

Nile Delta (S65-34776)

South Yemen (S65-34658)

Oued Saoura, Algerian Sahara (S65-63830)

Cairo and Nile Delta (S65-45778)

Edwards Plateau (S65-34704)

Bibliography

Bibliographical Note and List of Persons Interviewed

Primary Sources: Studies, Proposals, Long Range Plans

Primary Sources: Gemini Plans, Procedures, Working Papers, Design Notes

Primary Sources: Gemini, Reviews, Evaluations

Printed Primary Sources

Unpublished Secondary Sources

Published Secondary Sources

Appendices

Appendix A - Glossary

Appendix B - Flight Data Summary

Appendix C - Astronaut Flight Assignments

Appendix D1 - Experiments by Flight

Appendix D2 - Experiments by Number

Appendix E1 - Projected Program Cost Trend

Appendix E2 - Gemini Program, Total Accrued Cost

Appendix F - Worldwide Tracking Network

Appendix G1 - Department of Defense Support

Appendix G2 - DOD Resources by Flight