Titan II GLV

Launch of the Gemini/Titan-II #1 (Photo:NASA)

Diagram showing the major components of the Gemini-Titan II. (NASA)

Launch

Description:

• Gemini was a two-man spacecraft that was roughly conical in shape with a base diameter of 3.3 meters and stood 5.8 meters tall. It consisted of two major sections: The first was the reentry module, which housed the crew in orbit and returned them to Earth, and the second was an adapter section. The adapter section, which connected the reentry module to the launch vehicle, consisted of a retrograde section which housed the retrorockets to start the descent to Earth and an equipment section which housed in-orbit propulsion systems, life support, power systems and all other equipment not needed for the return to Earth. With a typical launch mass of up to 3,700 kilograms or more (over twice that of the Mercury spacecraft), Gemini needed a modified Titan II ICBM called the Titan II GLV (Gemini Launch Vehicle) to get into orbit.