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This beryllium shingle from comes from the Reentry Control System (RCS) section on the nose of the two-man Gemini spacecraft. Such shingles were designed to withstand the very high temperatures of reentry through the atmosphere--higher than those to which the main body of the spacecraft was exposed. The exterior of the shingle is oxidized black so as to maximize the emission of heat back into the reentry plasma, whereas the interior is coated with a thin layer of gold to minimize heat transfer into the RCS section's interior. Two oval holes are cut in the shingle to accommodate the RCS rocket nozzles. The RCS system of attitude control jets was used only during the return to earth.

This artifact was given to the National Air and Space Museum in 1970 by the McDonnell Aircraft Corporation in St. Louis as part of a large shipment of Gemini program hardware officially belonging to 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 SPACECRAFT-Crewed-Parts & Structural Components Manufacturer Pioneer Astro Industries
 Dimensions Approximate: 1 1/2 in. depth x 19 1/2 in. height x 14 1/4 in. width (0.64 x 48.26 x 35.56cm)
 Materials Beryllium, gold coating
 Inventory Number A19720519000 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.