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

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First Steps into Space: Projects Mercury and Gemini
MSC standard meteoroid environment, the following weight of soft
goods padding will be required in a protective garment:
a. Phase One (10 minutes) - 2 lb.
b. Phase Two (30 minutes) – 3.5 lb.
c. Phase Three (1 hour) – 4.75 lb.
2. Development of a meteoroid protective garment is to be carried out
by CSD.
E. Tether.
1. A tether incorporating a safety line and communications leads is
being developed by CSD. Initial planning has been based on no
biomedical instrumentation during the extravehicular operation.
More recently CSD and Medical Operations have [6] specified
minimum desired parameters to be monitored. Provisions for
monitoring these parameters will be incorporated in the tether, if
possible. The length of the tether is to be sufficient to allow ingress
to the equipment adapter section.
F. Maneuvering Unit.
1. The Air Force has proposed an extravehicular unit (MMU) for use
on later Gemini missions under Gemini/DOD Experiment 14C. If
this experiment is approved, it is anticipated that the MMU would
be used in the latter part of Phase Two and in Phase Three. The
MMU would contain propulsion, control, communications, and life
support systems. It would be furnished by the Air Force under an
independent contract.
V. SPACECRAFT MODIFICATIONS
A. Spacecraft modifications will be incorporated to enable the
astronaut to move about the exterior of the spacecraft and into the
equipment adapter. These modifications are as follows:
1. Exterior handholds spaced approximately two feet apart from the
cockpit to the adapter section interior. The handle configuration
will be based on configuration studies by CSD as well as aerodynamic
considerations.
2. Protective cover for the rough edge at the aft end of the adapter
section. The astronaut must be able to proceed past this rough edge
without the hazard of damage to the pressure suit or the tether.
Document I-54
Document Title: Edward Z. Gray, Director, Advanced Manned Missions Program,
Office of Manned Space Flight, NASA, to Director, Gemini Program, NASA,
“Gemini Lunar Mission Studies,” 30 April 1964.