Gemini V (Spacecraft)

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Gemini V was launched on August 21, 1965, with L. Gordon Cooper serving as commander of the mission and Charles Conrad, Jr. serving as pilot. The primary objectives of the Gemini V mission included evaluating rendezvous of the Guidance and Navigation (G&N) system with the radar evaluation pod (REP); demonstrating the eight-day capability of spacecraft and crew; and evaluating the effects of weightlessness for an eight-day flight. The secondary objectives of the mission included demonstrating controlled re-entry guidance; evaluating the fuel cell; demonstrating all phases of guidance and control system operation needed for rendezvous; evaluating the capability of both crewmen to maneuver the spacecraft to rendezvous; checking rendezvous radar; and executing 17 experiments. During the mission, problems developed with the fuel cell that precluded rendezvous with the REP. The objective to rendezvous the G&N system with the REP was not achieved. The REP rendezvous was not attempted due to a decision to power down fuel cells. The secondary objective to demonstrate controlled re-entry guidance was not achieved due to incorrect navigation coordinates transmitted to the spacecraft computer from the ground, which caused an 89-mile overshoot of the landing zone. Experiment D-2, Nearby Object Photography, was not conducted when REP rendezvous was canceled. Gemini V landed on August 29, 1965, 170.3 km from its attempted landing zone.
Archival Resources
Role Title Holding Repository
Place Name Admin Code Country
Subject
Space Exploration
Occupation
Activity

Corporate Body

Active 1965-08-21

Active 1965-08-29

Americans

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SNAC ID: 83089962