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Feb 12

Space Rocket History #100 – Apollo: Preliminary Design

Posted on February 12, 2015 by spac9750

In January 1960, President Eisenhower directed NASA Administrator Glennan to accelerate the Super Booster Program that had recently been assigned to NASA. This order ensured the transfer of the von Braun group from the Army Ballistic Missile Agency to NASA, and it gave Glennan the launch vehicle development and management capability that he needed.

By Dave.

Space Task Group’s Idea

General Electric’s Proposed Vehicle

Martin Co. Command Modules

General Dynamics Apollo Proposal

Saturn I Test Firing

Feb 12

Space Rocket History #50 – Blue Gemini – 1963

Posted on February 12, 2014 by spac9750

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“Blue Gemini” was the tag name for an Air Force manned space flight program to develop rendezvous, docking, and transfer for military purposes, using Gemini-type spacecraft. The concept became firmer in June, when the Air Force Space Systems Division (SSD) began working on plans to use Gemini hardware as the first step in a new Air Force man-in-space program called Mods (Manned Orbital Development System), a kind of military space station with Gemini spacecraft as ferry vehicles…

Titan II Test Flight

Ballute Device

Sled Test

POGO Suppression Eq.

Astronaut Desert Training

By Dave

Feb 06

Space Rocket History #49 – Gemini Systems Design – 1962

Posted on February 6, 2014 by spac9750

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On January 3 1962, “Gemini” became the official designation of the Mercury Mark II program. The name had been suggested by Alex Nagy of NASA Headquarters because the twin stars Castor and Pollux in constellation Gemini (the Twins) seemed to him to symbolize the program’s two-man crew, its rendezvous mission, and its relation to Mercury. Coincidentally, the astronomical symbol (II) for Gemini, the third constellation of the zodiac, corresponded neatly to the Mark II designation…

OAMS and RCS

Nomenclature.

Partial Spacesuit

Agena B

Aug 22

Space Rocket History #26 – Why the Moon?

Posted on August 22, 2013 by spac9750

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“We have been plunged into a race for the conquest of outer space. As a reason for this undertaking some look to the new and exciting scientific discoveries which are certain to be made. Others feel the challenge to transport man beyond frontiers he scarcely dared dream about until now. But at present the most impelling reason for our effort has been the international political situation which demands that we demonstrate our technological capabilities if we are to maintain our position of leadership. For all of these reasons we have embarked on a complex and costly adventure. It is the purpose of this report to clarify the goals, the missions and the costs of this effort in the foreseeable future, particularly with regard to the man-in-space program.” From 1960 Ad Hoc Panel on Man-In-Space.