Gemini Agena Target Vehicle

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View of the GATV of the Gemini-10 mission

The Gemini Agena Target Vehicle (GATV) was an orbital target missile that was used by NASA during the Gemini program to test rendezvous maneuvers .

The ability to rendezvous in space was important for the following Apollo program in order to be able to couple the lunar module with the command module during the flight to the moon . The techniques required for this were researched and learned in the Gemini program.

The GATV consisted of an Agena upper stage (manufactured by Lockheed ) and a docking adapter (manufactured by McDonnell ). The Agena upper level was launched with an Atlas missile from Launch Complex 14 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station .

A total of seven GATVs were launched.

Augmented Target Docking Adapter

ATDA of the Gemini-9 mission. The not fully opened payload fairing can be clearly seen

In order to be prepared for any problems with the development of the GATV, NASA decided in 1965 to develop an alternative target missile with which at least the docking maneuver could be carried out. For this purpose, a docking adapter was provided with a position control section of the Gemini capsule. No Agena upper level was required to start. The solution constructed in this way, consisting of an Atlas rocket plus docking adapter, was known as the Augmented Target Docking Adapter (ATDA) and was ready for the Gemini-8 mission. After it became clear that the GATV would be ready for this mission, the ATDA was initially stored.

As part of the Gemini-9 mission, the Atlas launch vehicle that was supposed to transport the GATV into orbit failed. Another Agena upper stage with a docking adapter was not available in a hurry, so NASA decided to fall back on a reserve plan. The stored ATDA was reactivated and started as a replacement target. This meant that it would not be possible for the astronauts to be promoted to higher orbit using the Agena upper stage, but the docking maneuver could be carried out as planned.

During the rendezvous maneuver, however, it turned out that the payload fairing had not come off and the docking adapter thus remained unusable.

Start list

Launch of GATV by Gemini 11
Date ( UTC ) Type mission Remarks)
October 25, 1965 GATV Gemini 6 Agena high school exploded six minutes after launch
March 16, 1966 GATV Gemini 8
17th May 1966 GATV Gemini 9 Loss of the Agena upper level due to an error in the control system
June 1, 1966 ATDA Gemini 9 The docking maneuver could not be carried out because the payload fairing did not detach from the docking adapter as planned.
July 18, 1966 GATV Gemini 10
September 12, 1966 GATV Gemini 11
November 11, 1966 GATV Gemini 12

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Individual evidence

  1. ↑ NASA: On the Shoulders of Titans: A History of Project Gemini - An Alternative Target