While the Atlas performed normally, the Agena's engine exploded during orbital injection. The first Gemini-Agena Target Vehicle (GATV) was launched on October 25, 1965, while the Gemini 6 astronauts were waiting on the pad. After rendezvous with its own ATV, Gemini 10 performed a second rendezvous with the ATV from Gemini 8.Īfter the Gemini capsule separated for the last time, the Agena remained in orbit for a short time and was used to verify the command system.Using a similar tether and a few thruster bursts to rotate the two craft around each other as an early test of artificial gravity.This technique is now known as gravity-gradient stabilization. Undocking, unreeling a 50-foot (15 m) nylon tether between the capsule and the Agena and flying in a ' dumbbell' configuration with the Agena below the astronauts, to check the gravitational effect on the formation stability in uncontrolled mode.The modified Bell 8247 engine was qualified for up to 15 restarts. Gemini 11 reached a record of 739.2 nautical miles (1,369.0 km). Refiring the Agena engine to raise the spacecraft's apogee.This required installing handrails on later flights to prevent excessive astronaut exertion.

Extra-vehicular activity to perform practice work on a tool panel.Using the Agena's attitude control system to stabilize the combination, which saved the Gemini's propellants.

They would fly the combined spacecraft in a stabilized mode and perform a number of experiments: Once docked, the astronaut in the right seat could control Agena's thrusters and engine. And just like flying an aerial refueling, you did all this with just the old Mark-VIII eyeball. And if it looks like you're going too fast you take a little off with the translational controller. And if everything looks all right and you look lined up with the docking cone, all you do is add a little thrust with the translational controller. You get yourself lined up, maybe five to ten feet out. compared docking with the Agena to air-to-air refueling: The Gemini would rendezvous and dock with the Agena as soon as Gemini's first orbit toward the end of the program. Both countdowns would proceed in parallel and required close synchronization. The McDonnell Gemini spacecraft would then be launched from Launch Complex 19, as soon as 90 minutes later. Over Ascension Island, a second burn would place the Agena into a low circular orbit. The Agena first burn would occur shortly after shroud jettison and separation from the Atlas over the Atlantic Ocean. The Agena was launched from Cape Kennedy's Launch Complex 14 on top of an Atlas booster built by the Convair division of General Dynamics. The ATDA was used once on Gemini 9A after a second ATV launch failure on May 17, 1966, but failed as a docking target because its launch shroud failed to separate.Īn Atlas-Agena launch vehicle launches GATV-5006 into orbit for the Gemini 11 mission.Įach ATV consisted of an Agena-D-derivative upper rocket stage built by Lockheed Aircraft and a docking adapter built by McDonnell Aircraft. The ATV for Gemini 6 failed on launch on October 25, 1965, which led NASA to develop a backup: the Augmented Target Docking Adapter (ATDA), a smaller spacecraft consisting of the docking target with an attitude control propulsion system but without the Agena orbital change rocket. It carried about 14,021 to 14,054 pounds (6,360 to 6,375 kg) of propellant and gas at launch, and had a gross mass at orbital insertion of 7,117 to 7,271 pounds (3,228 to 3,298 kg). The combined spacecraft was a 26-foot (7.92 m)-long cylinder with a diameter of 5 feet (1.52 m), placed into low Earth orbit with the Atlas-Agena launch vehicle. The name 'Agena' derived from the star Beta Centauri, also known as Agena. The spacecraft was based on Lockheed Aircraft's Agena-D upper stage rocket, fitted with a docking target manufactured by McDonnell Aircraft.

The Agena Target Vehicle ( / ə ˈ dʒ iː n ə/ ATV), also known as Gemini-Agena Target Vehicle ( GATV), was an uncrewed spacecraft used by NASA during its Gemini program to develop and practice orbital space rendezvous and docking techniques, and to perform large orbital changes, in preparation for the Apollo program lunar missions.

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