Guests: David Woods and David Harland Host: Markus Voelter Shownoter: Bastian Hundt

The Gemini programme of the mid-sixties is relatively unknown, even though it was an important stepping stone in the Apollo moon programme: Gemini is where NASA learned to fly in space. In this episode we cover Gemini with our two guests David Woods (who has been on the show talking about Apollo) and David Harland. Together they wrote a book on Gemini that serves as the rough outline of this conversation. We talk about the Gemini spacecraft itself, the launch vehicles, some of the achievements and learnings of the programme as well as some of the specifics of some of the missions.

Note: If you haven’t listened to to the Apollo episodes (83, 97), we recommend that you do so before listening to this one.

I once again forgot to thank those of you who asked questions. So here is the list: Soren Maagaard, Filipe Magalhães, Bert Daanje, Pieter Johnson, Christian Amlinger, @ville_ka, @insanelygreat, Bo Christinsen, Christian Schneider. Thanks guys!

Intro 00:00:20 Omega Tau Patreon Campaign | The Airline Pilot Guy Podcast | The Space Show

Introduction of David Woods and David Harland 00:09:18 (Gemini - The Owner's Workshop Manual) (OT83 - How Apollo Flew to the Moon) (OT97 - How Apollo Explored the Moon) | The Gemini Program

Overview of the Gemini Program 00:12:35 Project Mercury | Apollo Program | Gemini Spacecraft | Atmospheric Entry | Launch Escape System | Space Rendevous and Docking | Extravehicular Activity | Gemini Ejection Seat | Service Propulsion Engine

Gemini Launch Vehicle 00:27:49 Intercontinental Ballistic Missile (ICBM) | Redstone Rocket Family | Atlas Family | Liquid Oxygen (LOX) | Titan Rocket Family | Titan II GLV | Hypergolic Propellant | Hydrazine | Turbo-Pumps | Cavitation | Human-rating certification | Pogo-Oscillations | Zero/Zero-Capability | Titan Launch Vehicle Engine | Combustion Chamber | F1-Engine | "Fast Elevator to Orbit"

The Gemini Spacecraft 00:47:00 Heatshield | Orbit Attitude and Maneuvering System | Reentry Control System | Adapter Module | Teflon | Velcro | Gemini Agena Target Vehicle | Life Support | Apollo 1

Gemini Guidance Computer 01:16:15 Gemini Guidance Computer | Gemini On-Board Computer | Gimbal Lock

Space Rendezvous 01:29:01 Space Rendezvous | Gemini 4 | Gemini 5 | Fuel Cell | Gemini 7

Reentry and Landing 01:38:35 Splashdown | Space Launch System

Mission Milestones 02:04:40 Gemini 9 | Astronaut Maneuvering Unit | Canadarm | Manned Maneuvering Unit | Blue Gemini | Project Pilgrim | The Martian | How NASA learned to fly in space | NASA Gemini 1965-1966, Owners' Workshop Manual

Outro 02:31:15 Feedback!

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