Agena target vehicle

The Gemini Agena Target Vehicle ( GATV ) was an orbital target missile, which was used by NASA during the Gemini program for the testing of rendezvous maneuvers.

The ability to rendezvous in space was important for the following Apollo program in order to couple the lunar module to the command module during the flight to the moon can. The necessary techniques have been researched and learned in the Gemini program.

The GATV consisted of an Agena upper stage (manufactured by Lockheed ) and a docking adapter (manufactured by McDonnell ). The Agena upper stage was started with an Atlas rocket from Launch Complex 14 of the Cape Canaveral Air Force Station.

A total of seven GATVs were started.

Augmented Target Docking Adapter

To be prepared against possible problems in the development of the GATV, NASA in 1965 decided to develop an alternative target missile, with at least the docking maneuver could be executed. For this purpose, a docking adapter is provided with a position control section of the Gemini capsule. For start any Agena upper stage was needed. The thus constructed solution of Atlas rocket plus Docking Adapter Augmented Target Docking was referred to as adapter ( ATDA ) and stood for the Gemini 8 mission ready. Once it became clear that the GATV would be ready for this mission, the ATDA was initially stored.

As part of the Gemini 9 mission failed, the Atlas rocket that would transport the GATV into orbit. Another Agena upper stage with docking adapter was not available on the fly, so that NASA decided to fall back to a backup plan. The embedded ATDA was reactivated and started as a substitute target. This meant that it would not be possible for the astronauts to have to carry using the Agena upper stage into a higher orbit, but the docking maneuver could be performed as planned.

At the rendezvous, however, it turned out that the fairing had not been resolved and the docking adapter therefore remained unusable.

Start list

Swell

  • Encyclopedia Astronautica: Gemini Agena Target Vehicle ( English)
  • Encyclopedia Astronautica: Atlas Target Docking Adapter (English)
Project Gemini RM-81 Agena Lockheed Corporation McDonnell Aircraft Cape Canaveral Air Force Station Launch Complex 14 Gemini 9A Payload fairing Gemini 6A Gemini 10 Gemini 11 Gemini 12
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