Capsule, Gemini VII
Object Details
- Astronaut
- Frank Borman
- James A. Lovell Jr.
- Manufacturer
- McDonnell Aircraft Corp.
- Summary
- Astronauts Frank Borman and James Lovell were launched into orbit aboard this spacecraft, Gemini VII, on December 4, 1965. Their primary mission was to show that humans could live in weightlessness for 14 days, a record that would stand until 1970. Gemini VII also served as the target vehicle for Gemini VI-A, piloted by Walter Schirra and Thomas Stafford, who carried out the world's first space rendezvous on December 15. These two achievements were critical steps on the road to the Apollo Moon landing.
- This module is the only part of Gemini that returned to earth. Behind the heat shield was an adapter section containing propellants for the maneuvering thrusters, fuel cells for electric power, and retrorockets. It was jettisoned before reentry. The nose section was discarded during parachute deployment. In 1968 the National Aeronautics and Space Administration gave Gemini VII to the Smithsonian.
- Alternate Name
- Gemini VII Capsule
- Country of Origin
- United States of America
- See more items in
- National Air and Space Museum Collection
- Location
- National Air and Space Museum in Washington, DC
- Exhibition
- Destination Moon
- Credit Line
- Transferred from the National Aeronautics and Space Administration
- Data Source
- National Air and Space Museum
- Inventory Number
- A19680273000
- Type
- SPACECRAFT-Crewed
- Restrictions & Rights
- CC0
- Materials
- Structure: Titanium
- Cylindrical section: Beryllium alloy
- Conical section: Rene 41 (nickel-steel alloy)
- Heat shield: Silicone elastomer
- Dimensions
- Overall: 10 ft. 10 in. × 7 ft. 5 in., 2500lb. (330.2 × 226.1cm, 1134kg)
- Record ID
- nasm_A19680273000
Bell-shaped, two-man spacecraft with black shingles, heatshield, and two crew egress hatches with windows. Hatches not installed at this time.
