Country of Origin: United States of America
Dimensions:
Other: 58.42 x 60.96 x 10.16cm (1ft 11in. x 2ft x 4in.)
Materials:
Aluminum, anodized aluminum, steel, stainless steel mesh, nylon, paint, brass, plastic, adhesive tape, synthetic fabric
This is a partial backboard assembly, which was part of a Gemini capsule's seat. The astronaut's back rested against a specially contoured cushion attached to the front of the assembly. This assembly contains the inertia reel, ballute, ballute release and deploy mechanism. It does not have the drogue mortar, parachute, or survival kit. If an astronaut ejected during an abort or emergency, the astronaut remained with the assembly and seat until his parachute deployed. McDonnell Aircraft manufactured the frame, while Pacific Scientific and Ordnance Associates made the subsystems.
The National Aeronautics and Space Administration transferred the artifact to NASM in 1970.
Transferred from the National Aeronuatics and Space Administration
