Usage Conditions May Apply Usage Conditions Apply There are restrictions for re-using this media. For more information, visit the Smithsonian's Terms of Use page. IIIF provides researchers rich metadata and image viewing options for comparison of works across cultural heritage collections. More - https://iiif.si.edu View Manifest View in Mirador Viewer Usage Conditions May Apply Usage Conditions Apply There are restrictions for re-using this media. For more information, visit the Smithsonian's Terms of Use page. IIIF provides researchers rich metadata and image viewing options for comparison of works across cultural heritage collections. More - https://iiif.si.edu View Manifest View in Mirador Viewer Usage Conditions May Apply Usage Conditions Apply There are restrictions for re-using this media. For more information, visit the Smithsonian's Terms of Use page. IIIF provides researchers rich metadata and image viewing options for comparison of works across cultural heritage collections. More - https://iiif.si.edu View Manifest View in Mirador Viewer Usage Conditions May Apply Usage Conditions Apply There are restrictions for re-using this media. For more information, visit the Smithsonian's Terms of Use page. IIIF provides researchers rich metadata and image viewing options for comparison of works across cultural heritage collections. More - https://iiif.si.edu View Manifest View in Mirador Viewer

This unmanned boilerplate test vehicle was used to develop the parachute recovery system for Project Gemini. Gemini was the second U.S. human spaceflight program; in 1965 and 1966, NASA launched ten two-man Gemini spacecraft to gain experience with rendezvous, long-duration flight and spacewalking, all necessary to meet President Kennedy's goal of landing on the moon before the decade was out. This boilerplate was dropped from an aircraft eight times to test different parachute configurations in 1963-1964. Records of these tests are stenciled on the side of the test vehicle.

In 1970, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration transferred this boilerplate capsule to the Smithsonian. It was restored in 1991, and the missing cylindrical nose section was replaced with a replica.

 Display Status

This object is not on display at the National Air and Space Museum. It is either on loan or in storage.
Object Details
Country of Origin United States of America Type SPACECRAFT-Crewed-Test Vehicles Manufacturer McDonnell Aircraft Corp.
 Dimensions Overall: 7 ft. 6 in. × 6 ft. 3 in., 1474.2kg (228.6 × 190.5cm, 3250lb.)
w/ Stand 4295lb.
 Materials Steel
 Inventory Number A19781817000 Credit Line Transferred from the National Aeronautics and Space Administration Data Source National Air and Space Museum Restrictions & Rights Usage conditions apply
For more information, visit the Smithsonians Terms of Use.