Following Project Mercury, Gemini was NASA's second human spaceflight program. Ahead of the first landings on the Moon under the Apollo program, Gemini was designed to develop techniques that would be indispensable for future manned spaceflight. Thus, spacewalks, orbital maneuvers, and rendezvous and docking procedures were tested in a total of ten flights conducted in 1965-66. These ten manned Gemini flights all blasted off from Cape Canaveral atop Titan II boosters. The name Gemini was chosen because crewmen would be seated abreast in their spacecraft, with the Latin word "gemini" meaning "side-by-side". McDonnell Aircraft was selected in 1961 to build the Gemini capsule, which measured 5.79m long and 3.05m in diameter. The 3,851kg module first flew with a crew on 23 March 1965, equipped with the world's first onboard computer.
Built for NASA by McDonnell Aircraft, the Gemini spacecraft was first launched on March 23rd, 1965. Designed to further pave the way to a moon landing mission, Gemini was larger, heavier and considerably more sophisticated than the preceeding Mercury design. Launched atop a Titan II launch vehicle, the spacecraft comprised a two-man capsule and detachable (for re-entry) equipment module. It included ejection seats, radar and an onboard guidance computer. Gemini was also fully maneuverable enabling NASA to perfect orbital changes as well as rendezvous and docking maneuvers that were critical to the subsequent Apollo program.
Dragon's 1:72 scale Gemini Spacecraft is constructed entirely of plastic with an internal metal weight to enhance overall feel. The model is comprised of the space capsule with an accurately simulated corrugated look and feel and the equipment module fixed to the rear with numerous orbital control thruster ports. The capsule features simulated windows surrounded by red ejection seat demarcation lines and fitted with a separately applied communication antenna. The equipment module features fine panel line details and the wrinkled finish of simulated thermal insulation sheets. The model mounts to an elegant display stand to portray the spacecraft as it would appear in earth orbit.
Features:
- Diecast metal construction with some plastic components.
- Realistic panel lines, antennas, access panels and surface details.
- Pad printed markings and placards that won't fade or peel like decals.
Schaal 1:72
