Agena Application Space Missions Lmsc (1 results)

Two vols. 1st - Oblong 4to. 11.25 x 8.4 in. 63, [1] pp. With photo illustrations, graphs, charts, diagrams, text illustrations throughout. Colour-illustrated softcovers (minor soiling, soiling to left front margin, spotting), still VG- copy; 2nd - 4to. [34 pp (unpaginted).], w/ photos & periodicals all preserved in archival mylar sleeves. With 7 original silver gelatin black & white photos, NASA imprint in blank margin, dittoed fact sheet on versos, 5 printed photos, mimeographed biographical sheets included on versos, all six of in-house publications w/ self-printed softcovers (slight age toning), still NF, all preserved in recent buff-coloured cloth 3-ring binder. First edition of this exceedingly scarce catalogue describing and illustrating the Agena stage rockets, and the Agena Target Vehicle, also known as the Gemini-Agena Target Vehicle (GATV) which was an uncrewed spacecraft used by NASA during the Gemini program to develop and practice orbital space rendezvous and docking procedures in preparation for the Apollo program. The ATV consisting of an upper rocket stage from Lockheed was launched from Thor and Atlas booster rocket platforms, but suffered from continued docking adapter failures, after being developed by McDonnell Aircraft Co. The Gemini program capsules were built by McDonnell Aircraft, and were the first astronaut-manned spacecraft to include an onboard computer for mission maneuvers, very similar to the later Saturn Launch Vehicle digital computer, and actually had a fair amount of control, largely due to the prodding of Astronaut Gus Grissom. The original NASA photos here depict the Gemini Agena on pad 14 at Cape Canaveral, Astronaut White taking his spacewalk during Gemini IV, and other GATV assembly procedures. Of particular interest is a test fitting of the Gemini VI capsule with the GATV at the assembly site, before they were each mounted on their respective launch vehicles. Printed photos and mimeographed biographies for Astronauts Grissom, Walter Schirra, Jr., John Young, and Thomas Stafford are included. Worldcat locates 1 copy Agena catalogue (JPL); See: Harland, How NASA Learned to Fly in Space: An Exciting Account of the Gemini Missions (2004).