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 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

The rendezvous and recovery section of the Gemini two-astronaut spacecraft contained the parachutes for recovery and the rendezvous radar and docking equipment for missions in which the Gemini rendezvoused with another vehicle. This particular section was part of spacecraft 3A. Early in 1963 NASA decided it needed a replacement for spacecraft 3, which would be used for the first Gemini manned flight rather than altitude chamber tests. 3A was employed in hatch-opening tests and then was rebuilt as a flight-qualified vehicle, lacking only a heat shield and flight ejection seats. It was subjected to the extreme thermal and vacuum conditions of space in the McDonnell altitude chamber from December 19, 1964, to February 19, 1965, in a test series called Project Orbit.

The Smithsonian received this artifact from McDonnell in 1971 as part of a shipment of surplus Gemini hardware from the military Manned Orbiting Laboratory program.

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 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-Parts & Structural Components Manufacturer McDonnell Douglas Company
 Dimensions Overall: 3 ft. 6 in. long x 2 ft. 9 in. diameter (106.68 x 83.82cm)
 Materials titanium structure, beryllium shingles
 Inventory Number A19711574000 Credit Line Gift of the McDonnell Douglas Astronautics Company Data Source National Air and Space Museum Restrictions & Rights Usage conditions apply
For more information, visit the Smithsonians Terms of Use.