Nov 11 1966
From The Space Library
Space News for this day. (2MB PDF)
November 11-15: GEMINI XII rendezvous-docking and Eva mission, last of Gemini series, began with launch of Gemini Agena Target Vehicle (GATV) by Atlas booster from ETR's Complex 14, followed 1 hr. 38 min. later by launch of GEMINI XII with Titan II booster from Complex 19. Astronauts were James A. Lovell, Jr., command pilot, and Edwin E. Aldrin, Jr., pilot. GATV entered near-circular orbit with 188.5-mi. (303.5km.) apogee and 182.8-mi. (294-km.) perigee. GEMINI XII entered orbit with 167.9-mi. (270-km.) apogee and 100-mi. (161-km.) perigee. Docking of spacecraft with GATV was in 2.3 revolutions-4:14 GET. After plans to use GATV propulsion system to place GEMINI XII into higher orbit had to be abandoned because of GATV malfunction, GEMINI XII rendezvoused with Nov. 12 total solar eclipse over South America and made motion and still pictures of eclipse through spacecraft windows. Aldrin then began first of two standup Evas: hatch opening was at 19:29:01 GET with closure 2 hrs. 29 min. later. Nov. 13's activities revolved around Aldrin's umbilical Eva: hatch opening was at 42:46 GET with closing 2 hrs. 8 min. later. While on 30-ft. umbilical, Aldrin performed measured work tasks at Agena docking adapter and at work station in spacecraft adapter section. He also attached 100-ft. tether stowed in Agena adapter to Gemini docking bar in preparation for tethered operations. GEMINI XII backed out of Agena docking collar about 47:37 GET and gravity gradient appeared to be established by one revolution later. Tether exercise lasted 4 hrs. 17 min. After failing twice to sight sodium vapor clouds released in upper atmosphere by French sounding rocket launched from Hammaguir Range and performing experiments with a space sextant, crew began experiencing problems with maneuvering thrusters on spacecraft. In second standup Eva, Aldrin jettisoned unused equipment and conducted additional experiments and photography. Hatch-open time was 66:04 GET for 51-min. duration. Total Eva time for GEMINI XII mission was 5 hrs. 28 min. Retrofire took place Nov. 15 at 94:00:01 GET; reentry in 59th revolution after 94 hrs. 34 min. in space was normal. Splashdown in the Atlantic was at 94:34:31 GET. GEMINI XII landed about three miles from recovery ship U.S.S. [Weightless Analysis Sounding Probe|WASP]] and about four miles from aiming point. Astronauts were picked up by helicopter within 20 min. White House announced promotion of Aldrin from USAF major to lieutenant colonel. Lovell had been promoted to USN captain after GEMINI VII mission. A Presidential statement read by Press Secretary Bill Moyers said the flight was "the culmination of a great team effort, stretching back to 1961, and directly involving more than 25,000 people. November 11-15: Gemini Agena Target Vehicle is shown at the end of tether securing it to the GEMINI XII spacecraft. in the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, the Department of Defense, and other Government agencies; in the universities and other research centers; and in American industry." (NASA Proj. Off.; NASA Release 66-272; MSC Roundup, 11/25/66, 1, 2; Wilford, NYT, 11/12/66, 1, 14; 11/13/66, 1, 34; 11/14/66, 1, 2; 11/15/66, 1, 17; 11/16/66,1,30; O'Toole, Wash. Post, 11/12/66, A1, A4; 11/13/66, A1, A4; 11/14/66, AI.; 11/15/66, A1, A10; Pres. Doc., 11/21/66, 1701-2)
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