Country of Origin: United States of America
Dimensions:
3-D Test: 35.6 x 22.9 x 25.4cm, 16kg (14 x 9 x 10 in., 35 1/4lb.)
Materials:
Glass, Plastic, Aluminum, Paint, steel, Brass, copper, Rubber (Silicone), Phenolic Resin, Epoxy, , Cadmium Plating
This system, manufactured by Honeywell, contained a set of gyroscopes that assisted in the guidance, navigation and control of the Gemini spacecraft. This specimen was probably not flown.
A major difference between Project Gemini and its predecessor, Project Mercury, was its goal of changing its orbit and rendezvousing with other spacecraft. The Gemini spacecraft therefore required an on-board guidance capability that was much greater than Mercury's. This inertial system provided a stable platform, which provided information to an on-board digital computer, which in concert with astronauts' commands enabled the Gemini spacecraft to maneuver in space.
Transferred from NASA to the Museum in 1977.
Transferred from the National Aeronautics and Space Administration
