Spacecraft at the California Science Center: Gemini 11

Project Gemini was part of NASA's goal of landing a man on the moon by the end of the 1960's. Originally dubbed 'Mercury mark II'', Project Gemini featured a 2-man spacecraft tasked with a series of goals that paved the way for Project Apollo. Among the goals were EVA (extra vehicular activities-or 'spacewalking', orbital rendezvous, rendezvous and docking in orbit, and changing orbital inclinations.

The Prime Crew of Gemini 11: L-R Richard Gordon, pilot and Charles "Pete" Conrad, command pilot

Gemini 11 in many ways embodied the total sum of Project Gemini: rendezvous and docking with a target vehicle, EVA, and achieving the highest orbital inclination of any orbital missions of both the United States and Russia.

Gemini reached a record altitude  apogee of 741 miles. 

The crew consisted of command pilot Charles "Pete" Conrad and pilot Richard Gordon. The only short-coming of the Gemini 11 mission was the EVA's by Gordon whose over-exertions caused an early termination of his spacewalk. In the end, Gemini 11 represented a milestone in the race to the Moon!

My 1:24 scale models of the Gemini 11 spacecraft and the Agena Target Vehicle.

Several years ago I built a 1:24 scale model project representing the Gemini 11, Gordon's EVA, and the Agena docking target vehicle. I sold it to a retired NASA working from Florida who worked on the Agena during Project Gemini.

The kits were 1) the 1:24 scale Revell Gemini with LMV Gemini interior kit and a 1:24 scale RealSpace Models Agena target vehicle. For more information see: A Look at Revell's 1:24 scale Gemini with LMV and RealSpace Details

Presently the Gemini 11 spacecraft is on display at the California Science Center in Los Angeles, CA. The following are photos I made at that visit.

The Gemini 11 spacecraft.

The pilot's control panels.

Strombecker's Moonliner kit from the late 1950's.

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Strombecker's Moonliner kit from the late 1950's.

Pete Conrad's Gemini ejection seat.

Pilots Control panels.

Dick Gordon's seat. Note the ejection pull-handle.

A cut-away of the Gemini 11 ablative heat-shield.

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Space X Headquarters

While visiting the greater Los Angeles area I was able to drive by the sprawling Space X facility in Hawthorne, California! One would never know it was a spacecraft manufacturing center if that Falcon 9 was not on display!

The only clue as to Space X's presence is a Falcon 9 first stage in front of the complex!

The Disneyland TWA Moonliner

Another interesting sight was a copy of the old Disneyland TWA Moonliner on display in their Tomorrowland area. Instead of TWA this moonliner was advertising for Pizza Planet! It is my understanding this is a scaled-down copy of the 66 foot original.

The Moonliner as it looks today for Pizza Planet at Disneyland in California!

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Next Time!

An out of box look at Ark Models new 1:144 scale Buran Space Shuttle kit!