Gemini 10 Press Kit - heroicrelics Mirror

-30-MANNED SPACE F'LIGIET TRACKING NEXWRKGEMINI 10 MISSION FtEQ-NASA operates the Manned Space Flight !Backing Network by us,% its ownfacilities and those of the Department of Defense for mission informationand control.For Gemini 10, the network will provide flight controllers:(1) Radar tracking, command control, voice and telemetry data areavailable fYom launch through Gemini spacecraf't splashdown in recovery area.Except for voice communications, the network provides the same functions forthe Agena Target Vehicle as 10% as electrical power is available.(2) Verification of the proper operation of the systems onboard theGemini and Agena target.The RTCC at the Manned Spacecraft Center, Houston, will be the primarycomputer center utilized in the control of the entire mission. The RTCCreceives, stores, processes, sends, and drives displays of the necessarymission critical information required by the flight controUers at the MissionControl Center (MCC-Houston)During the launch (powered flight) phase, the RTCC receives launch trajectorydata from the Air Force Eastern Test Range (AFGLII) radars via the Cape KennedyCDC-3600 Real Time Computing Facility (RTCF) and from the Bermuda trackingstation.During all phases of the mission, the RTCC receives trajectory andtelemetry data from the various sites and stores and processes this informtionfor use by flight controllers in the command and control of the mission. Thistelemetered information consists of bio-medical, environmental, electrical,command maneuvering and other spacecraft and target vehicle systems prameters.This information is displayed at the various flight controllers consoles in theMCC where necessary decisions are made for the conduct of the mission. Theflight controllers use the displayed information to assist them in the determinationand generation of required voice and comPaand updates to be sent to thespacecraft and tazget vehicle.TRACKINGThe Gemini 10 mission will require separate tracking of five space vehicles:the Gemini spacecraft, the Gemini 8 and Gemini 10 Agena Target Vehicles (Am),the Gemini Launch Vehicle (GLV-a modified Titan 11), and as required, the AtlasBooster called SLV-3. The Agena Target Vehicle wiU carry one C-bend and oneS-band beacon, while the spacecraft carries two C-band beacons. Skin tracking(radar signal bounce) off the spacecraft, Agena target vehicles, and GeminiLaunch vehicle throughout orbital lifetime is a mission requirement. The MSFNand various facilities of the North American Air Defense CommRnd (NORAD) will beused for this mission. However, NORAD will not track during the rendezvous phase.-more-