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

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First Steps into Space: Projects Mercury and Gemini
the rendezvous experiments. This use of existing or modified versions of existing
hardware minimizes the necessity for new hardware development.
The proposed plan is based on extensive usage of Mercury technology
and components for the spacecraft. Therefore, it is proposed to negotiate a solesource
cost-plus-fixed-fee contract with McDonnell Aircraft Corporation for the
Mark II Mercury spacecraft.
The launch vehicle procurement will involve a continuation of present
arrangements with the Air Force and General Dynamics-Astronautics for the Atlas
launch vehicles, and the establishment of similar arrangements with the Martin
Company for the Modified Titan II launch vehicles, and with the Lockheed
Aircraft Corporation for the Agena stages.
A Project Office will be established to plan, direct and supervise the
program. The manpower requirements for this office are expected to reach 179
by the end of Fiscal Year 1962.
The estimated cost of the proposed program will total about 530 million
dollars.
PART II – JUSTIFICATION
Upon completion of Project Mercury the next step in the overall plan of
manned space exploration is to gain experience in long duration and rendezvous
missions. It is believed that the program presented here would produce such
information and that it would compliment other programs now underway while
not interfering with their prosecution.
PART III – HISTORY AND RELATED WORK
The plans for Project Mercury originally recognized the value to be
obtained from 18-orbit missions. However, such missions were later deleted from
the Mercury schedule due to systems and network limitations. Early in 1961 it was
believed that Project Mercury had progressed to the point where 18-orbit missions
might be considered once again. At this time, McDonnell was asked to study how
such missions could be accomplished with only a minimum of modifications
to the spacecraft being required. This study showed that the 18-orbit mission
represents the maximum growth potential of the present Mercury capsule with
reasonable modifications. Therefore, McDonnell was asked to study means
of providing a more extensively modified spacecraft with an extended mission
capability, including multiman occupancy and improved systems accessibility. The
Martin Company was asked to provide information as to how the Titan II might
be adapted to serve as the launch vehicle for these extended missions. Both the
McDonnell and Martin studies have progressed to the point that capabilities for
performing the missions have been shown. On the basis of these favorable reports
the program plan presented here has been developed.
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