posted 11-23-2015 10:32 AM               

In just two-and-a-half years, beginning in 1964, two unmanned and ten manned flights took place in the Gemini program. This program was the turning point in the space race with the USSR; from then on the Americans took the lead. Flights lasting two weeks, into the Van Allen Belt, the first extravehicular activities, rendezvous maneuvers and docking with other spacecraft ― all of this was achieved by Gemini, paving the way for the more demanding moon landing program. It was not all success, however. Like almost every significant undertaking, Project Gemini also had its dramas and tragedies.

All Project Gemini missions are discussed, including details on allcraft and the astronauts involved. Superb color, archival images,cutaways and plans are also included.

• Hardcover: 144 pages
  
• Publisher: Schiffer; 1 edition (March 28, 2016)
  
• ISBN-10: 0764350706
  
• ISBN-13: 978-0764350702

posted 01-24-2020 03:51 PM            

This book goes into great technical detail about Gemini without being too wordy. In fact, the book clocks in at only 144 pages. The early portion of the book is focused on the development of the hardware involved. There are a few drawings and diagrams of the Gemini spacecraft, Titan 2 launch vehicle, the Agena target vehicle. One of the more interesting topics is the testing of the troubled Rogallo parawing concept, which was dropped in favor of parachutes. Later sections of the book highlight each Gemini mission, including the first two unmanned tests.

The book does have a couple of typos and phrases that don't make sense, but a lot of this can be attributed to the fact that this is actually a German book that was translated to English. For example, it is mentioned that the launch pad's White Room had a temperature of twenty-two degrees. This might confuse American readers who are not accustomed to Celsius. Perhaps, later editions can correct the issues in the text.