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This is a cutaway of a 25-pound thrust Gemini Reentry Control System (RCS) thruster. This thruster flew on Gemini VIII, launched on 16 March 1966 with astronauts Neil Armstrong and David Scott. The launch went smoothly but a major problem developed after docking of the spacecraft with the Gemini Agena Target Vehicle, when a spacecraft Orbit Attitude Maneuvering System (OAMS) thruster malfunctioned. The crew undocked from the Agena and brought the spacecraft under control by deactivating the OAMS and using the RCS to reduce the spacecraft's rapid rotation. Premature use of the RCS, however, required the mission to be terminated early.

This object is half of one of the RCS thrusters in the nose of Gemini VIII encased in a block of Lucite. In 1972 McDonnell gave the Gemini VIII and the two halves of the thruster to the Smithsonian for NASA.

 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 MEMORABILIA-Events Astronaut David R. Scott
Neil A. Armstrong
 Manufacturer Rocketdyne
 Dimensions 3-D: 27.9 x 12.7 x 12.7cm (11 x 5 x 5 in.)
 Materials plastic, metal
 Inventory Number A19721289003 Credit Line Transferred from the National Aeronautics and Space Administration. Data Source National Air and Space Museum Restrictions & Rights Usage conditions apply
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