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The ATV consisted of the Lockheed Agena spacecraft and the McDonnell docking adapter. The Agena was launched from AMR ( Cape Canaveral) Complex 14 on top of a Convair Atlas booster. The Agena first burn would occur shortly after shroud jettison and separation from the Atlas over the Atlantic Ocean. Over Ascension Island, a second burn would boost the Agena into a low circular orbit.
The McDonnell Gemini spacecraft would then launch (as close as 90 minutes) from Complex 19 (both countdowns would proceed in parallel and required close synchronization) and, toward the end of the program, would dock with the Agena within the first orbit after launch.
The Gemini astronauts would then fly in a stabilized mode and perform a number of experiments:
After the Gemini capsule separated for the last time, the Agena remained in orbit for a short time and was used to verify the command system.
| Agena | Gemini mission | Launched | Reentered | NSSDC ID | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GATV-5002 | Gemini 6 | October 25, 1965 15:00:04 UTC | October 25, 1965 15:06:20 UTC | GEM6T | Exploded during launch. 3,261-kg |
| GATV-5003 | Gemini 8 | March 16March 16 is the 75th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (76th in Leap years). There are 290 days remaining. Events 1190 Crusaders start to massacre the Jews of York, England. 1521 Ferdinand Magellan reaches the Philippines. 1621 Samoset, a Mohegan,, 1966Events January January 1 In a coup, Colonel Jean-Bedel Bokassa ousts president David Dacko and takes over the Central African Republic. January 2 Strike of public transportation workers in New York City ends January 13 January 3 First Acid Test at the Fil 15:00:03 UTC | September 15September 15 is the 258th day of the year (259th in leap years). There are 107 days remaining. Events 608 Saint Boniface IV becomes Pope 921 Saint Ludmila is murdered at the command of her daughter-in-law at Tetin. 1514 Thomas Wolsey appointed Archbishop, 1967Events January January 4 British motorboat racer Donald Campbell dies while attempting a water speed record in Coniston Lake. January 4 Algerian revolutionary Mohammed Khider is shot in Madrid. January 6 Vietnam War: USMC and ARVN troops launch " Operatio | 1966-019A | First docking. 3,175-kg. Gemini 10 later rendezvoused with Agena 8 |
| GATV-5004 | Gemini 9AGemini 9A (officially Gemini IX-A was a 1966 manned spaceflight in NASA's Gemini program. It was the 7th manned Gemini flight, the 13th manned American flight and the 23rd spaceflight of all time (includes X-15 flights over 100 km). Crew Thomas Stafford ( | May 17May 17 is the 137th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (138th in leap years). There are 228 days remaining. Events 1590 Anne of Denmark is crowned Queen of Scotland. 1642 Paul Chomedey, sieur de Maisonneuve (1612-1676) founds the Ville Marie de Mon, 1966 15:12:00 UTC | May 17, 1966 15:19:00 UTC | GEM9TA | Failed to orbit. 3,252-kg |
| ATDA #02186 | Gemini 9A | June 1, 1966 15:00:02 UTC | June 11, 1966 | 1966-046A | Shroud did not separate. 794 kg. Built from docking portion of Agena Target Vehicle. |
| GATV-5005 | Gemini 10 | July 18, 1966 20:39:46 UTC | December 29, 1966 | 1966-065A | Boosted Gemini 10 to a 763-km apogee. 3,175-kg. |
| GATV-5006 | Gemini 11 | September 12, 1966 13:05:01 UTC | December 30, 1966 | 1966-080A | Boosted Gemini 11 to a record 1,374-km apogee. 3,175-kg. Tether experiment. |
| GATV-5001A | Gemini 12 | November 11, 1966 19:07:58 UTC | December 23, 1966 | 1966-103A | No apogee boost due to a defective main Agena engine. 3,175-kg. Tether experiment. |