NASA at 50: 1962: Project Gemini Begins

Description:

Chronicles the history of Project Gemini, the precursor to the Apollo program that successfully designed and tested all components and procedures necessary to land men on the moon. The program's highlights include the first American extravehicular activity, or EVA; new orbital maneuvers including rendezvous and docking; and the first space walk.

Answer the questions:
Project Mercury and the Apollo missions are talked about more often than Project Gemini— what are some possible reasons why?
What were some of the accomplishments of Project Gemini?
How long did Project Gemini last?
Did NASA reach all of its goals with the project?
How did Project Gemini pave the way for the Apollo missions?

Target Vocabulary
constellation - any of 88 arbitrary configurations of stars or an area of the celestial sphere
covering one of these configurations
lunar - of, relating to, or resembling the moon
rendezvous - a place appointed for assembling or meeting
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NASA at 50: 1963: Lifting Body Design Concept Tested

Description:

Profiles the development of the lifting body design, a wingless aircraft that later served as the basis for the space shuttle. The program details how the lifting body evolved from the ballistic design of the first space capsules after NASA engineers wanted to build a reusable spacecraft. Although the design did not have wings, the shape of the body created sufficient lift to fly. Today, research from the lifting body program is being used to design new vehicles, like the X-38.

 If an aircraft built with the lifting body design has no wings, how would it fly?
Why did NASA not support Dale Reed in constructing model aircraft that featured the lifting body design?
What were some of the materials used to build the model aircraft with the lifting body design?
What did NASA engineer Dale Reed say was the most exciting moment for him?

Target Vocabulary
Mach - a number representing the ratio of the speed of a body (as an aircraft) to the speed of
sound in a surrounding medium (as air)
mahogany - the wood of any of various chiefly tropical trees

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