Posts: 751
From: Longview, Texas, USA
Registered: Apr 2000

posted 02-15-2022 02:26 PM               

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A Field Guide to American Spacecraft shows in the Gemini boilerplate section a spacecraft designated as a "Flight Article" to be used "if Gemini 1 failed to reenter." Gemini 1 was not even separated from its Titan II second stage — it was not meant for recovery.

So, what was FA-1A's purpose? If Gemini 2 had failed in some way during its suborbital flight, was FA-1A to be used for a repeat test of the heat shield?