STUDY SUMMARY- "Big G Final Report- Logistic Spacecraft System Evolving from Gemini"
 

Here's an interesting quick study (actually the final oral report, so nothing really to summarize as this is basically the "slides" from the discussion, thus is very short) from 21 August 1969 from the Manned Spacecraft Center (now Johnson Space Center). It is relating to the "Big G" concept for a lengthened and substantially enlarged version of the Gemini spacecraft, to be used for crew transfer and resupply of space stations in LEO. Its an interesting proposal because it would have used largely existing technology (its been said in some ways Gemini was superior to the Apollo, despite the lack of a forward docking hatch and tunnel) simply enlarged to carry up to twelve astronauts in some iterations, and sizeable payloads for resupply as well. Due to the aforementioned problems with lack of a forward docking hatch and tunnel for crew transfer, the spacecraft would have been designed using the same methods the Air Force had envisioned for space station operations with their version called "Blue Gemini" for the Manned Orbiting Laboratory program-- a hatch through the heatshield with a connecting docking tunnel to the back of the spacecraft. Big G would have been outfitted with a rear docking system and an area for the docking pilot to control the vehicle during the docking maneuvers.

They also show several variations on launch vehicles that could be used with Big G.

Enjoy! OL JR

That's it! Later! OL JR

Got any 5" diameter phenoloic tube sitting around not knowing what to do?

http://www.fantastic-plastic.com/Bi...CatalogPage.htm

Wow! 90 bucks is a lot of money for that much plastic!

Yep, small production run and a high cost to create the molds, also a short term availability. But having built a couple of models from Fantastic Plastic they are very well done. Not sure about $90 worth of well done, but well done.

Guys... it's a CONE... got the fiddly bits of a Gemini on the top part, the cylindrical section and window notches, but the rest of the thing is a flippin' CONE...

Anybody got an old Estes Gemini Titan nosecone laying around?? Semroc sells a balsa one IIRC... Zooch's "Mark II" is basically a BT-50 Gemini...

Start with any of those and add the paper cone stretching back to the rocket of your choice... NO need for no $90 plastic kit... (fine as it may possibly be...)

Later! OL JR :)