Exploring the Unknown: Selected Documents in ... - The Black Vault

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First Steps into Space: Projects Mercury and Gemini
III. Configuration
A. Vehicle
The vehicle will be a ballistic capsule with high aerodynamic drag. It should
be statically stable over the Mach number range corresponding to flight within
the atmosphere. Structurally, the capsule will be designed to withstand any combination
of acceleration, heat loads, and aerodynamic forces that might occur
during boost and reentry of successful or aborted missions.
B. Life Support System
The capsule will be fitted with a seat or couch which will safely support the
pilot during acceleration. Provision will be made for maintaining the pressure,
temperature, and composition of the atmosphere in the capsule within allowable
limits for human environment. Food and water will be provided.
C. Attitude Control System
The vehicle will incorporate a closed loop control system which consists of
an attitude sensor with reaction controls. The reaction controls will maintain the
vehicle in a specified orbital attitude, will [2] establish the proper angle for retrofiring,
reentry, or an abort maneuver. The pilot will have the option of manual or
automatic control during orbital flight. The manual control will permit the pilot
to visually observe various portions of the earth and sky.
D. Retrograde System
The retro-rocket system will supply sufficient impulse to permit atmospheric
entry in less than ½ revolution after application of retro-thrust. The magnitude
and direction of the retro-thrust will be predetermined on the basis of allowable
declarations and heating within the atmosphere, and miss distance.
E. Recovery Systems
A parachute will be deployed at an altitude sufficiently high to permit a
safe landing on land or water; the capsule will be buoyant and stable in water.
Communication and visual aids will be provided to facilitate rescue.
F. Emergency Systems
An escape system will be provided to insure a safe recovery of the occupant
after a malfunction at any time during the mission. Parallel or redundant systems
will be considered for the performance of critical functions.
IV. Guidance and Tracking
Ground-based and vehicle equipment will be employed to allow the establishment
of the desired orbit within satisfactory tolerance, to determine the satellite
orbit with the greatest possible accuracy, to initiate the descent maneuver at the
proper time, and to predict the impact area.