Hatch Closing Device, Gemini 12
Object Details
- Summary
- This hatch closing device, flown on Gemini XII, November 11-15, 1966, allowed the astronaut at the conclusion of an EVA, extravehicular activity or "spacewalk," to pull down the hatch from a sawtooth "gain hold" device on the hatch sill. The astronaut would then use it to assist in holding the hatch closed against the seal pressure just prior to the latching operation. It was stowed in the spacecraft under the right instrument panel in a small orbital utility pouch. Buzz Aldrin used this hatch closing deviced upon returning from his 5 hour, 30 minutes EVA during the Gemini XII mission, the last in the program, in which he set an endurance record and demonstrated that EVA techniques were sufficiently developed to proceed with the Apollo program.
- NASA transferred this device to the Smithsonian with the Gemini XII spacecraft in 1968.
- Country of Origin
- United States of America
- See more items in
- National Air and Space Museum Collection
- Credit Line
- Transferred from the National Aeronautics and Space Administration
- Data Source
- National Air and Space Museum
- Inventory Number
- A19680265032
- Type
- EQUIPMENT-Tools
- Restrictions & Rights
- Usage conditions apply
- Materials
- Cable: stainless steel Lanyard: nylon webbing with aluminum spring clamp Rod: Aluminum with stainless spring clamp, Velcro
- Dimensions
- 3-D: 114.3 x 3.8 x 3.8cm (45 x 1 1/2 x 1 1/2 in.)
- Other (rod): 30.5cm (12 in.)
- Record ID
- nasm_A19680265032
12in. aluminum rod with stainless steel spring clamp on one end, stainless steel eye on other end with stainless steel cable attached, cable has spring clamp and ring attached.
