Gemini 11 tether experiment (1966)

The only crewed spin-gravity experiment ever flown.

Summary of what the thread established

• What happened. Gemini 11 was tethered to its Agena and rotated with side thrusters, generating ~0.00015 g; gravity gradient alone didn't keep the tether taut muomega0, 2014-03-16.
• Another estimate: ~0.0005 g at 0.15 rpm Aussie_Space_Nut, 2018-07-14.
• It was cited as the first AG test john smith 19, 2014-02-17.
• The tether was hard to stabilize mikelepage, 2019-03-29.
• Proposals to repeat it: a Gemini-11-like test with a commercial capsule + extension module + counterweight KelvinZero, 2015-02-21. The ISS already is a "spin-g station" at 0.0004% g mikelepage, 2019-04-03.

Open questions

• Why has no crewed spin-gravity experiment been flown since 1966?

Related pages

• Tethered bolas · Research and testbeds

Sources

Forum posts

• john smith 19, 2014-02-17 (reply #36): First AG test. Post.
• muomega0, 2014-03-16 (reply #171): Gemini 11 tether. Post.
• KelvinZero, 2015-02-21 (reply #334): Gemini-like test. Post.
• Aussie_Space_Nut, 2018-07-14 (reply #922): ~0.0005 g. Post.
• mikelepage, 2019-03-29 (reply #1421, 1 like): Hard to stabilize. Post.
• mikelepage, 2019-04-03 (reply #1465, 4 likes): ISS spin-g (4 likes). Post.

External references

• "Tether-Based Variable Gravity Research Facility" (cited by muomega0).