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Gemini SC-2

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SC-2
Gemini SC-2 on display
TypeReentry capsule
Test article
ClassGemini
ManufacturerMcDonnell
History
First flight
Last flight
Flights2

Gemini SC-2 (Spacecraft No. 2) was the second NASA Project Gemini full-up reentry capsule built. This McDonnell Gemini capsule was the first space capsule to be reused, flying twice in suborbital flights. SC-2 flew on Gemini 2 and OPS 0855 flights. The capsule is currently on display at the Air Force Space and Missile Museum at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station.[1]

Spacecraft history

The capsule is part of the collection of the National Air and Space Museum of the Smithsonian Institution.[2]

On 19 January 1965, the Gemini 2 suborbital test mission was launched, with the second prototype Gemini capsule.[3][4]

In March 1965, NASA approved the transfer of the Gemini 2 capsule to the USAF for modification into the first prototype of the Gemini B capsule.[5]

On 3 November 1965, the first Manned Orbiting Laboratory (MOL) and Gemini B suborbital test mission was launched.[5] It is the first capsule to ever be flown twice in space.[6] Several Mercury capsules were used on multiple flights, including the capsule used on Mercury-Redstone 1 and Mercury-Redstone 1A, the Mercury capsule used on test flights Little Joe 5A and Little Joe 5B, and the Mercury capsule used on flights Mercury-Atlas 3 and Mercury Atlas 4, but none of these capsules surpassed the Kármán line on two separate flights. Thus, Gemini SC-2 became the only reentry capsule of the United States to be reflown in space before SpaceX's Crew Dragon Endeavour.[7]

The capsule was transferred to the Smithsonian Institution, as part of the National Air and Space Museum collection.[2]

A mock-up of the Gemini B capsule was put on display in the Allan and Malcolm Lockheed and Glenn Martin Space Gallery at the National Museum of the USAF in 2016.[2]

The flown Gemini SC-2 capsule was put on display in the exhibit hall of the Air Force Space and Missile Museum of the USAF in 2017.[3]

Flight history

Flight № Mission Launch date (UTC) Launch Landing Notes
1 Gemini 2 19 January 1965 NASA Mission [3][4][5]
2 OPS 0855 3 November 1966 USAF Mission; first reflight of a previously flown reentry capsule [3][4][5]

See also

References

  1. ^ USAF (23 May 2020). "Gemini Spacecraft". National Museum of the U.S. Air Force.
  2. ^ a b c USAF (4 April 2016). "Gemini Spacecraft". National Museum of the U.S. Air Force.
  3. ^ a b c d USAF (2017). "Gemini Capsule". Air Force Space and Missile Museum.
  4. ^ a b c "Gemini-B: NASA-Gemini's Air Force Twin" (PDF). Historic Space Systems Infosheet. No. 1. Historic Space Systems. September 1996.
  5. ^ a b c d Amy Shira Teitel (3 November 2015). "The Manned Orbiting Laboratory the Air Force Failed to Launch". Popular Science.
  6. ^ Terry Roen (3 November 2016). "Air Force celebrates 50th anniversary of Gemini launch". Orlando Rising.
  7. ^ James Dean (3 November 2016). "50 years ago, Air Force 'MOL' program launched only mission". Florida Today.

Further reading

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Gemini SC-2.
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