This is the spacesuit that Richard F. Gordon, Jr. wore during his Gemini XI mission during 12-15 September 1966. During that mission Pete Conrad was the command pilot and Gordon the pilot on the mission. Gordon performed two Extravehicular Activities (EVAs) which included attaching a tether to an Agena target vehicle and retrieving a nuclear emulsion experiment package.
The purpose of the Gemini XI mission had been to demonstrate that astronauts could do purposeful work while outside a spacecraft. At the time, the David Clark manufactured spacesuits did not have an adequate cooling mechanism; therefore Gordon suffered from exhaustion and dehydration during his first spacewalk attempt. The second walk was more successful because he did not leave the spacecraft completely and performed a "standing spacewalk."
The David Clark Company designed and built this spacesuit in consultation with NASA. The suit was designed to be a personal, form-fitting spacecraft that protected the astronaut while he was outside of his spacecraft. This protection was against extremes of temperature, radiation and micrometeoroids. The suit has layers of neoprene and nonporous cloth that are covered with a white, high temperature nylon cover layer. On the surface, one can see the fittings and disconnects that connected the astronaut to the spacecraft.
NASA transferred this suit to the museum in 1972.
This object is not on display at the National Air and Space Museum. It is either on loan or in storage.
United States of America
PERSONAL EQUIPMENT-Pressure Suits
David Clark Company, Inc.
Richard F. Gordon
Overall: 83.82 x 25.4 x 162.56cm (2ft 9in. x 10in. x 5ft 4in.)
Exterior: HT nylon, silk (flag), polycarbonate visor,
Zippers: Cotton, brass, rubber/neoprene
Interior: Neoprene-coated nylon
Connectors, fittings and disconnects: Anodized aluminum
A19720544000
Transferred from NASA, Manned Spacecraft Center
National Air and Space Museum
Usage conditions apply
For more information, visit the Smithsonians Terms of Use.