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Nasa Gemini Viii Mission Neil Armstrong David Scott (1966)

1966 · Short film · 11 min

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Synopsis

This film is about NASA’s Gemini program and the sixth manned mission, Gemini VIII. Gemini 8 (officially Gemini VIII) launched March 16, 1966. The mission included the first docking of two spacecraft in orbit, but had to be aborted after the Gemini's OAMS thrusters malfunctioned. It opens with the NASA seal (:10) and the crew composed of Neil Armstrong (who had resigned his commission and so flew as a civilian) and Lieutenant Colonel David Scott in the pilot’s ready room at Launch Complex 16 (:23). Their pressure suits are checked by technicians (:33). The objective of this flight was to perform the first docking in space with a target vehicle (:39). It was planned to take three days and include a two-hour spacewalk (:44) as well as the first time use of a power tool in space. The pair is seen stepping out in full suit (:49) and heading to pad 19. Over at pad 14, the target vehicle Atlas-Agena was counting down (1:00). Gemini’s crew walks up the ramp leading to the erector elevator (1:23) carrying portable air conditioning units (1:27). The elevator carries the crew to the White Room which surrounds the space craft (1:39). The Atlas launch vehicle is seen igniting (2:10) and shortly after taking off (2:16). All three of the Atlas-Agena’s major propulsion engines are set to ignite during take off (2:34) with the booster cutting off first after (2:42). The sustainer engine would cut off at 64,190 ft. (2:47). The other two engines remain on in order to position the craft into…

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Details

Running time
11 minutes
Collection
Ephemeral Films

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