Author
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Topic: When was gold heat shield removed on Gemini?
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sprocketship Member Posts: 72 From: Registered: Feb 2014
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posted 06-16-2014 07:04 AM
Here's kind of an odd question for you...At what point during Gemini spacewalk missions was the gold heat shield removed from the utility/storage module? Was it jettisoned or was it removed by hand by the space walking astronaut in order to retrieve equipment? |
David C Member Posts: 1039 From: Lausanne Registered: Apr 2012
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posted 06-16-2014 07:20 AM
Interesting question. I'd always thought that EVA equipment (like the AMU), could be accessed without removal of the gold foil. |
Jim Behling Member Posts: 1488 From: Cape Canaveral, FL Registered: Mar 2010
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posted 06-16-2014 08:26 AM
It was never removed. There was a separate cover for the AMU. |
Headshot Member Posts: 891 From: Vancouver, WA, USA Registered: Feb 2012
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posted 06-16-2014 08:49 AM
In the case(s) of Gemini 8 and 9, which carried "backpacks" of different natures, the cover would have been/was manually removed by the EVA astronaut. After the pilot strapped himself to the backpack, the command pilot would throw a switch labeled "BACKPACK" to the "DEPLOY" position to electro-mechanically release the device.I do not know about the workstations on the remaining Gemini flights. |
space1 Member Posts: 861 From: Danville, Ohio Registered: Dec 2002
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posted 06-16-2014 11:41 AM
As noted, the gold cover was never removed. A separate cover for the backpacks was removed remotely by actuating the EVA BARS EXTEND switch on the Right Hand Circuit Breaker Panel. This also allowed the stowed EVA handles inside the adapter and along its upper surface to deploy. ------------------ John Fongheiser Historic Space Systems |
Headshot Member Posts: 891 From: Vancouver, WA, USA Registered: Feb 2012
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posted 06-16-2014 12:15 PM
John: Thanks for that correction. Was that switch on Geminis 8, 9, 10, 11 and 12? Or just 8 and 9? |
space1 Member Posts: 861 From: Danville, Ohio Registered: Dec 2002
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posted 06-16-2014 12:42 PM
This Gemini panel illustration for Gemini 8 through 12 shows the switch at the right end, and indicates Spacecraft 9 and 12 only with that marking. Otherwise the illustration shows the switch position labeled "POD EJECT." I have verified that Gemini 9 and 12 had "EVA BARS EXTEND," and that Gemini 10 had "POD EJECT." Unfortunately I don't have my references handy for Gemini 8 and 11 to verify the label. |