Gemini Guidance Computer


The Gemini Guidance Computer was a digital, serial computer designed for Project Gemini, America's second human spaceflight project. The computer, which facilitated the control of mission maneuvers, was designed by the IBM Federal Systems Division.

Functionality

Project Gemini was the first with an on-board computer, as Project Mercury was controlled by computers on Earth. The Gemini Guidance Computer was responsible for the following functions:Ascent – serves as a backup guidance system. The switchover is manually controlled by the astronautsOrbital flight – gives the astronauts the capacity to navigate, allowing them to choose a safe landing spot in an emergency and calculate the timing of retrofire.Rendezvous – serves as primary reference by providing guidance information to the astronauts. The orbit parameters are determined by the ground tracking which are then sent to the spacecraft; the guidance computer was responsible for processing the information along with sensed spacecraft attitude. The information was presented to the astronauts in terms of spacecraft coordinates.Reentry – feeds commands directly to the reentry control system for automatic reentry or provides the guidance information to the astronauts for manual reentry.

Specs