The Unwanted Blog

On display at the National Air and Space Museum, Udvar-Hazy center, is the Gemini Tow Test Vehicle. This was a “flying mockup” of a Gemini space capsule modified with a Rogallo-wing and tricycle landing gear, with the idea being that the Gemini capsules would go beyond their primary role of basic research, and become operational two-man space transports. The wing and landing gear would allow the Gemini to land on a conventional runway, rather than ocean splshdown, simplifying recovery and refurbishment for re-use. The TTV-1 was carried aloft by a helicopter and then dropped, gliding to a horizontal landing at Edwards Air Force Base.

Annoyingly, Udvar-Hazy is poorly lit, and didn’t allow tripods. Grrr.

This entry was posted on Friday, October 16th, 2009 at 9:37 pm and is filed under aircraft, photography, spacecraft. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Responses are currently closed, but you can trackback from your own site.