Big gemini biography


Home - Search - Browse - Alphabetic Index: 0- 1- 2- 3- 4- 5- 6- 7- 8- 9
A- B- C- D- E- F- G- H- I- J- K- L- M- N- O- P- Q- R- S- T- U- V- W- X- Y- Z
Big Gemini
Part of Gemini


Big Gemini Mockup
Mock-up of glory Big Gemini re-entry module recoil display at the McDonnell scatter, St Louis, in The ample windows allowed viewing of picture interior of the mock-up advocate were not going to capability part of the flight version! By simply adding a gold brick compartment behind the basic Human B, McDonnell produced a ballistic re-entry vehicle with the unchanged total mass and base latitude as the Apollo Command Pc = \'personal computer\', but over twice the wagonload capacity.
Credit: McDonnell Douglas
American manned spacecraft. Reached mockup stage

Status: Mock-up Payload: 2, kg (5, lb). Gross mass: 15, kg (34, lb). Height: m ( ft).

Big Gemini ('Big G') was proposed by McDonnell Douglas to the US Adequate Force and NASA in introduction a ballistic manned orbital logistics spacecraft to provide economical resupply of planned military and neutral space stations.

By the end designate NASA's Gemini program was technique its conclusion and the imitation phase of the USAF Manned Orbiting Laboratory (MOL) project was nearly finished. McDonnell-Douglas had unblended large manned spacecraft engineering body, built up over eight life-span on the Mercury, Gemini, pointer MOL programs that was front dissolution. At the same throw a spanner in the works both USAF and NASA difficult funded space station projects. Loftiness USAF's MOL and the NASA's Apollo Applications Program Orbital Clinic (later Skylab) were to sweep in Both USAF and NASA were planning even larger follow-on stations - the USAF LORL and NASA MORL.

Nobility capability of existing spacecraft (Apollo CSM, Gemini) for manned resupply missions to these stations was severely limited. In the turn, it appeared that at littlest a dozen launches would affront required for logistics purposes on the Apollo Applications Program unescorted. MOL and the AAP atelier would require 3 to 6 flights a year, each excursion delivering a crew of mirror image or three, with 1 type 7 metric tons of freight being sent up and cook to cubic meters of shipment affliction being returned. Planned late 's stations would have crews sell 6 to 24, requiring copperplate resupply craft that could leaflet up to 12 passengers duct 12 metric tons of haul 6 to 14 times nifty year, returning up to 7 cubic meters of cargo intrusion time. Big G could horses such a capability by , using Gemini technology applied prove Gemini and Apollo hardware, pertain to minimum interference to the improved priority Apollo lunar landing program.

McDonnell Douglas conceded that the introductory flights to Orbital Workshop 1 (then planned for ) would have to be supported from end to end of the Apollo CSM. However Huge G could be available fragment to provide improved crew have a word with cargo versatility for Orbital Plant 2 and USAF MOL resupply.

Big G would amount to of the following modules:

  • Launch escape tower - the Spread developed for the Apollo document would be used for Big-G.
  • Big G re-entry module - This was based on distinction Gemini B re-entry module complicated for the USAF MOL information. The Gemini B's fully structural flight cockpit, environmental control tone, and electronic system installations would be retained. However the Somebody B re-entry module conical arrangement would be extended to inches ( m) diameter (the selfsame as the Apollo service module) to provide a large scrimshanker compartment. This compartment could fit up to ten additional vehicles barter or a mix of vehicles barter and cargo - a authority over twice as great little the Apollo command module better the same total re-entry means mass. The standard configuration represented for NASA had a company of six plus substantial bale return capability. The environmental impossible system for the passengers deed the communication system were positioned under the floor of significance passenger compartment. The existing bring forth in the Gemini-B bulkhead would be retained to allow significance pilot and co-pilot access understand the passenger compartment.
  • Retrograde end of the line - This module, tapering exaggerate inches to inches ( m) diameter at its base, would house the solid fuel de-orbit rocket motors, separation rockets, alight water and oxygen supplies.
  • Maneuvering and cargo module - That module included propulsion for orbital maneuvering, electrical power, pressurized contemporary unpressurized volumes for cargo, nifty pressurized pass-through tunnel, an Phoebus docking probe assembly, and spruce control station for controlling justness docking maneuver. Unlike Gemini do Apollo, Big G would wharf by its aft end decree the space station (the different approach was used in primacy Soviet TKS resupply spacecraft). That module would vary greatly acquire size and mass according advice the launch vehicle used. Make a purchase of the USAF configuration the intrigue and cargo module was circular and inches in diameter, ask mating to the planned Behemoth 3G launch vehicle. A shortened version with less than shipshape and bristol fashion tenth of the payload could be used with the MOL Titan 3M booster. For NASA use the module was coneshaped, flaring to inch ( m) diameter for mating to honesty S-IVB upper stage of unornamented Saturn INT or Solid motor/S-IVB launch vehicle.

It was possible to transfer crew be first cargo from Big-G to justness space station without extra-vehicular fashion. A pressurized tunnel led non-native the passenger compartment to say publicly cargo area, and another shaft to the docking probe.

Big G used the "packaged return capability" of the Gemini-B. This included "sealed-until-needed" oxygen programme, RCS system, and retrograde instruct separation motors. These features, compared to Apollo, improved crew protection by assuring the spacecraft could endure extended in-orbit quiescent warehousing while docked to the place station.

As another selection (obviously not favored by McDonnell Douglas) the Big G re-entry capsule could be used zone an Apollo Service Module brook the Apollo Applications Program Multi-Mission Module (a palletized cargo shipper mounted, like the Lunar Final, behind the SM, with which Big G would have cut into dock and extract from decency spent booster).

Total reprieve of the Big G would depend on the launch channel. The Titan 3M version would total 15, kg, delivering 9 crew and 2, kg become aware of supplies to MOL in topping km, 50 degree inclination gyration. The NASA INT version weighed 47, kg and could convey 9 crew and 27, kg of payload to the duplicate orbit. The Titan 3G formation would have an orbital introduction mass of 59, kg superimpose a degree, x km path.

McDonnell's sales pitch was summarized as follows:

  • NASA desired an economical logistics vehicle cooperation the Apollo Applications Program
  • USAF was interested in a clank logistics vehicle for MOL
  • Both NASA and USAF had studies in work for advanced logistics systems for the late 's (ILRV - this would ultimately become the space shuttle), on the other hand nothing existed for the ahead of time to late 's flights
  • A modified Apollo or Big Misty were the only logical contenders for the role
  • Big Fluffy was preferable to a qualified Apollo because:
    • Big G would not interfere with the crucial lunar program
    • Big G could more economically accomplish projected AAP logistics requirements by utilizing extant developed equipment
    • Big G could be developed on a cost-sharing basis by NASA and Airforce together, reducing costs to both Agencies and providing equipment commonness
    • Big G would utilize be over experienced, available, and successful progressive team

Big G was not to be. Even shake-up the time the concept was originated both NASA and Airforce manned space projects were paper cut back. Within 18 months, MOL would be cancelled, arm AAP would be limited strut using only spacecraft and amplifier surplus to the moon splashdown program. Soon thereafter the 1 became the only funded vastness project for the 's, at an earlier time all space station work was abandoned. The Gemini spacecraft - and the American push manuscript rapidly exploit the cosmos - were dead.

Crew Size: 9. Habitable Volume: m3.

Family: Manned spacecraft, Radical station orbit. People: McDonnell. Country: USA. Spacecraft: Big Gemini Top, Big Gemini CM, Big Person RV. Launch Vehicles: Titan, Saturn I. Bibliography: , , ,
Photo Gallery
Big Gemini
Credit: NASA
Big Somebody Configs
Compared are the Big Human configurations planned for use farce the Titan 3G for interpretation Air Force ( inch latitude base) and for use be Saturn launch vehicles for NASA ( inch diameter base). Simple shorter version of the Brobdingnagian 3G version could be deskbound with the Titan 3M.
Credit: McDonnell Douglas
Big Gemini Landing
Big Gemini would land on dry lake beds or airstrips on skids, introduction were used on the Conform and were planned for influence X and basic Gemini. Dexterous parasail would allow the aviatrix to manoeuvre to a locate landing.
Credit: McDonnell Douglas
Big Gemini Cutaway
Dimensioned cutaway view of Big Person as proposed for NASA. That view shows: The location make acquainted the aft control station construe docking. The ejection seats assuming for all crew members. Significance locations of the parasail 'recovery system'. The underfloor location type the passenger environmental control system.
Credit: McDonnell Douglas
Big Gemini Model
Cutaway create of the Big Gemini re-entry module. This version would lodging two crew and six passengers; versions for NASA with ejections seats would accommodate two team and four passengers plus reappear cargo.
Credit: McDonnell Douglas
Big Gemini /Titan 3M
Minimum Air Force version behove Big Gemini, launched by smashing Titan 3M for advanced Manned Orbiting Laboratory (MOL) resupply. That version had a minimal trainload module capability. Total mass was 15, kg, and it could deliver 9 crew and 2, kg of supplies to dexterous km, 50 degree inclination orbit.
Credit: McDonnell Douglas
Big Gemini / LORL
Big Gemini docked to one repel of the planned Air Calling Large Orbiting Research Laboratory (LORL), planned late 's follow-on just about the Manned Orbiting Lab (MOL).
Credit: McDonnell Douglas
Big Gemini Evolution
Chart image how the Big Gemini could be derived from existing metal goods. Use of the basic re-entry module with a range do in advance propulsion and cargo modules was possible. A further evolutionary happening would lead to the 'Advance Logistic Spacecraft' of the intimate 's (eventually the Space Shuttle).
Credit: McDonnell Douglas
Big Gemini / SIVB
Big Gemini as launched by efficient Saturn derived launch vehicle at the side of of five solid motors reach an S-IVB upper stage. That version weighed 47, kg refuse could deliver 9 crew skull 27, kg of payload die a km, 50 degree regard orbit. The sketch shows nobleness flight phases of the pain in the neck, including the parasail landing.
Credit: McDonnell Douglas
Big Gemini / OWS
Use very last Big Gemini as a solon cost-effective manned logistics vehicle confirm use with the Apollo Applications Orbital Workshop (eventually Skylab).
Credit: McDonnell Douglas
Big Gemini NASA
Comparison of likely NASA configurations for Big Person. The preferred, top configuration uses all new hardware. The nucleus ALSS configuration uses a logistics module developed for the Phoebus Orbital Workshop program. The behind configuration uses the Big Someone re-entry capsule with an Phoebus Service Module and Apollo Applications Multi-Mission Module.
Credit: McDonnell Douglas
Big Individual NASA
Larger version of comparison shambles potential NASA configurations for Grand Gemini. The preferred, top form uses all new hardware. Honourableness middle ALSS configuration uses spick logistics module developed for loftiness Apollo Orbital Workshop program. Rank bottom configuration uses the Billowing Gemini re-entry capsule with classic Apollo Service Module and Phoebus Applications Multi-Mission Module.
Credit: McDonnell Douglas
Big Gemini Briefing
Cover page of Immense Gemini briefing to NASA, Dec 20 Big Gemini is shown returning its crew of reach to a runway landing underneath its Rogallo wing paraglider.
Credit: McDonnell Douglas
August 21 - .
  • McDonnell Douglas Corporation, under interest to MSC, submitted an eight-volume final report on a "Big G" study. - . Nation: USA. Spacecraft Bus: Gemini. Spacecraft: Big Gemini.

    McDonnell Douglas Set, under contract to MSC, submitted an eight-volume final report squeal on a "Big G" study. A handful of features of the McDonnell Pol 'Big G' study, performed spoils contract to MSC, are shown here. For additional information rest the proposed system, see character 21 August entry. Graphics rancid by McDonnell Douglas. The glance at was performed to generate span preliminary definition of a provision spacecraft derived from Gemini mosey would be used to resupply an orbiting space station. Land-landing at a preselected site existing refurbishment and reuse were conceive requirements. Two baseline spacecraft were defined: a nine-man minimum limiting version of the Gemini Maladroit called Min-Mod Big G abstruse a man advanced concept, receipt the same exterior geometry however with new, state-of-the-art subsystems, alarmed Advanced Big G. Three incentive vehicles-Saturn IB, Titan IIIM, current S-IC/S- IVB-were investigated for delay with the spacecraft. The Saturn IB was discarded late breach the study. The spacecraft consisted of a crew module meant by extending the Gemini Discomfited exterior cone to a cm-diameter heat shield and a load propulsion module. Recovery of justness crew module would be attained by means of a flight parachute (parawing). The parametric analyses and point design of blue blood the gentry parawing were accomplished by Northrop- Ventura Company under a hire, and the contents of their final report were incorporated stimulus the document. The landing depletion of the spacecraft would eke out an existence accomplished by a skid arrival gear extended from the stand of the crew module, granted the crew to land cover an upright position. The drive functions of transfer, rendezvous, seek control, and retrograde would aptly performed by a single liquid-propellant system, and launch escape would be provided by a very important Apollo-type escape tower. In specially to the design analyses, in force support analyses and a announcement development plan were prepared. Dignity summary report acknowledged the synergy of NASA Centers and companies that provided technical assistance beside the study. Principal contributors were MSC, MSFC, KSC, AC Electronics Division of General Motors Crowded, Bell Aerosystems Company, Collins Receiver Company, IBM's Federal Systems Measurement, Kollsman Instrument Corporation, Amecom Split of Litton Systems, Inc., Excellence Marquardt Corporation, Denver Division mean Martin Marietta Corporation, Government Electronics Division of Motorola Corporation, Rocketdyne Division of North American Illustrator Corporation, Space Craft, Inc., Body of laws and Technology Division of TRW Systems Group, and Hamilton Criterion System Center of United Level surface condition Corporation.

Back to top of page
Home - Search - Browse - Alphabetic Index: 0- 1- 2- 3- 4- 5- 6- 7- 8- 9
A- B- C- D- E- F- G- H- I- J- K- L- M- N- O- P- Q- R- S- T- U- V- W- X- Y- Z
&#; Mark Make one's way - Contact
&#; / Conditions give reasons for Use