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Onboard operations for rendezvousAn overall plan for onboard rendezvous operations for the Gemini missions was developed in parallel with the mission plan. The purpose of this plan was to make optimum use of crew time in orbit to maximize the probability of a successful rendezvous. The evolution of the plan began with a preliminary time line of events based upon the known guidance-equipment requirements and
upon the estimated crew timing. A preliminary set of flight charts was developed to aid the crew with primary and backup procedures and to establish a backup guidance capability. These charts, which consisted of a few simple graphs and tabulation sheets, enabled the crew to calculate accurate solutions for the terminal maneuvers even with an inoperative guidance-equipment component. As such, the charts significantly contributed to the probability of mission success. Following the development of the charts, an engineering evaluation was conducted on a realistic man-in-the-loop simulation. During this evaluation, the procedures and charts were subjected to the expected equipment errors and trajectory dispersions, and revisions were made as necessary to improve effectiveness. The resulting plan was presented to the flight crew; the charts were
evaluated during a period of training on the simulator. The crew spent several weeks training on both the primary procedures and on the various failure modes.
Document ID
19680005475
Acquisition Source
Johnson Space Center
Document Type
Contribution to a larger work
Authors
Paul C. Kramer
(Johnson Space Center Houston, Texas, United States)
Edwin E. Aldrin
(Johnson Space Center Houston, Texas, United States)
William E. Hayes
(Johnson Space Center Houston, Texas, United States)
Date Acquired
August 4, 2013
Publication Date
February 1, 1967
Publication Information
Publication: Gemini Summary Conference
Publisher: National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Volume: NASA-SP-138
Issue Publication Date: February 1, 1967
URL: https://ntrs.nasa.gov/citations/19680005472
Subject Category
Space Sciences
Spacecraft Design, Testing And Performance
Launch Vehicles And Launch Operations
Meeting Information
Meeting: Gemini Summary Conference
Location: Houston, TX
Country: US
Start Date: February 1, 1967
End Date: February 2, 1967
Sponsors: Johnson Space Center
Accession Number
68N14944
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Work of the US Gov. Public Use Permitted.
Keywords
structural integrity
launch vehicle systems performance
spacecraft systems performance
Gemini spacecraft
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