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Major flight objectives
of Gemini 10
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The primary mission objective (achieved) was to
rendezvous and dock with an Agena target vehicle. In fact, Gemini 10 was
to rendezvous with two Agena targets: Agena 10 which had been placed in
orbit shortly before the Gemini 10 launch, and the Agena target left in
orbit by Gemini 8.
There were six secondary objectives:
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conduct extravehicular activities (achieved)
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conduct docking practice (not achieved)
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to rendezvous and dock during the fourth
revolution (achieved)
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to use large propulsion systems in space
by attempting dual rendezvous maneuvers using the Gemini Agena target vehicle's
primary and secondary propulsion systems (achieved)
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to conduct 14 experiments (partly achieved)
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to conduct the following systems evaluations:
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Gemini Agena target vehicle maneuvers
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static discharge monitoring
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post-docked spacecraft-Agena target vehicle maneuvers
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parking the Agena target vehicle
The docking practice flight objective was not
achieved because too much fuel had been expended during the rendezvous
with the Agena. According to Deke Slayton, the excessive use of fuel was
not Young's fault. A mistake in the loading of the computers initial guidance
program caused slightly inaccurate readings as to the location of the spacecraft.
"The primary rendezvous was characterized,
I think, by a large out-of-plane error. When we realized this was taking
place, we could no longer let orbital mechanics work for us...We were working
for it. We had to use what I call a brute force method of rendezvous, and
it takes a lot of fuel."
John Young, during awards ceremony, August
1, 1966
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