Gemini Docking Mechanism

The Gemini spacecraft was equipped with a non-androgynous mechanism for docking with the Agena target vehicle or Augmented Target Docking Adapter. It was the first American craft that could dock to another in space.

Gemini 10 docked with an Agena, showing the alignment of the indexing bar
The Target Docking Adapter of the Gemini 12 Agena, showing the docking mechanism

The Gemini side of the mechanism consisted of 3 latch receptacles around the forward end (the rendezvous and recovery section) of the spacecraft.[1] The Agena side of the mechanism consisted of a truncated cone to guide the nose of the Gemini spacecraft into 3 corresponding latches. A notch in the cone aligned with the "indexing bar" on the Gemini spacecraft to orient the two spacecraft in roll.[2]

Unlike the later Apollo Docking Mechanism, the Gemini docking mechanism did not provide internal access between the docked spacecraft; it only locked them together and provided an electronic umbilical to control the Agena from the Gemini capsule.

References
  1. McDonnell Technical Data Dept (1 July 1966). "Docking System". NASA Project Gemini Familiarization Manual (PDF). McDonnell.
  2. McDonnell Technical Data Dept (1 July 1966). "Target Docking Adapter". NASA Project Gemini Familiarization Manual (PDF). McDonnell.
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