|
Author
|
Topic: Gemini pilots: role/responsibilities in-flight
|
Duke Of URL
Member Posts: 1316
From: Syracuse, NY
Registered: Jan 2005
|
posted 02-10-2010 10:22 PM
   
I know there was a discussion of the Lunar Module Pilot (LMP) role in the actual control of that craft, but does anybody know what roles the Gemini pilots had? Did the right seat astronaut have experiments where he maneuvered the ship?And if they did, was it on every flight? |
kr4mula
Member Posts: 642
From: Cinci, OH
Registered: Mar 2006
|
posted 02-11-2010 12:39 PM
Their most obvious duty (on certain flights, at least) was to do the EVAs. Not a bad substitute for not being in command! On Gemini III, it was also the pilot's duty to bring lunch.  |
space1
Member Posts: 861
From: Danville, Ohio
Registered: Dec 2002
|
posted 02-11-2010 03:03 PM
Typically only the Command Pilot controlled the Gemini. He had the optimum arrangement of attitude controller and maneuvering controller. Until Gemini VI, the Pilot had no way to control maneuvering. But the astronauts (if I recall correctly Stafford in particular) wanted a maneuvering controller added to the right side. Stafford was the astronaut engineer for the unit. It was a simple device with a knob controlling six switches, one for each translation direction. It was installed for Gemini VI-XII. Stafford used it during the rendezvous with Gemini VII. As far as I know no other Gemini Pilot used it. |
ilbasso
Member Posts: 1522
From: Greensboro, NC USA
Registered: Feb 2006
|
posted 02-11-2010 08:49 PM
The computer keyboard was only on the Pilot's side, wasn't it? That would imply that the Pilot was responsible for computing and executing rendezvous, re-entry, and other burn solutions. |
music_space
Member Posts: 1179
From: Canada
Registered: Jul 2001
|
posted 02-12-2010 03:24 AM
I think I read in someone's book that during the Gemini VIII undocking, Scott handled the thrust backward. |
space1
Member Posts: 861
From: Danville, Ohio
Registered: Dec 2002
|
posted 02-12-2010 07:17 AM
quote:
Originally posted by ilbasso:
The computer keyboard was only on the Pilot's side, wasn't it? That would imply that the Pilot was responsible for computing and executing rendezvous, re-entry, and other burn solutions.
The results of these calculations, when thrusting was required, would be displayed on cockpit instruments. The director needles on each astronaut's Flight Director Indicator would lead to the required burn attitude. While either astronaut could make the attitude changes, the Pilot was busy with the computer. So the Command Pilot would make the attitude changes.Any translation changes required would be displayed on the Incremental Velocity Indicator on the Command Pilot's side. So naturally he would make those maneuvers. The Gemini control panel layout is really optimized for the Command Pilot to control thrusting, retro fire, launch abort, rendezvous and docking, and parachute deployment. While some of these controls are easily reachable by both astronauts, the gauges for these functions (launch vehicle status, altimeter, accelerometer, descent rate, rendezvous radar) are on the Command Pilot's panel. The Pilot controls and monitors electrical power, environmental control, computer, experiments, and Agena commands. |
John Charles
Member Posts: 342
From: Houston, Texas, USA
Registered: Jun 2004
|
posted 02-12-2010 06:22 PM
quote:
Originally posted by space1:
It was installed for Gemini VI-XII. Stafford used it during the rendezvous with Gemini VII. As far as I know no other Gemini Pilot used it.
This sounds like a description of the controller for the Agena during docked operations, mounted at the bottom of the right-side main panel. If so, then Scott used it to send inputs to Agena 8, and I imagine Collins and Gordon did likewise during 10 and 11 high-apogee ops. But if I am correct, then Stafford didn't actually have anything to control using the unit on 6A. |
space1
Member Posts: 861
From: Danville, Ohio
Registered: Dec 2002
|
posted 02-12-2010 08:18 PM
This illustration of the Gemini cabin right side should help clarify these controls.The control for sending commands to the Agena is just to the left of the In-flight Medical Kit in the illustration. The maneuvering controller on the right side is just up and to the left of the Agena control. |
mikej
Member Posts: 481
From: Germantown, WI USA
Registered: Jan 2004
|
posted 02-13-2010 10:07 AM
quote:
Originally posted by John Charles:
This sounds like a description of the controller for the Agena during docked operations, mounted at the bottom of the right-side main panel.
Actually, the Agena controller (encoder) was located on the right side of the pilot's seat. |
kyra
Member Posts: 583
From: Louisville CO US
Registered: Aug 2003
|
posted 02-13-2010 10:24 AM
There is an intersting responsibility referenced in "Carrying the Fire" that describes Mike Collins (Pilot) as pushing a row of buttons pre-retrofire in a very specific way. These were SEP-ELEC, SEP-OAMS and SEP-ADAPT and later after retrofire SEP-RETRO. The computer seemed to be the main focus (timewise) of the pilot when not on an EVA.
|
advertisement