SCRAMBLE TO PAD 19

It is common history that following the launch of Gemini VII on December 4, 1965 the booster and spacecraft for Gemini VI was placed on Pad 19 so that they flight could go up and meet Gemini VII. However, few folks in the space fan community know the details of what went on after Gemini VII left the pad.

 

When Gemini VI’s Agena target vehicle exploded as it was supposed to insert itself into orbit back on October 25, it was decided that the GT-6 launch vehicle could be used in December to rendezvous with Gemini VII. Since Gemini VII was scheduled to remain in orbit for two weeks, there would be a rendezvous opportunity for Gemini VI. Of course, there was only one launch pad from which a manned Gemini Titan II booster could be launched… Pad 19. Thus, that would mean that the normal 28-day long Subsystems Functional Verification Tests would somehow have to be abbreviated to something like four days.

 

The answer was to de-stack the GT-6 booster and spacecraft, which had been fully checked out yet not used. Then the stack would be divided into the two stages and the spacecraft. They would be stored under guard until after Gemini VII had vacated Pad 19. The booster stages were stored in the Satellite Checkout Building at the Cape. Meanwhile the Gemini spacecraft was stored at the Pyrotechnics Installation Building at the Merritt Island Launch Area. This was all completed by October 28.

Just two hours after Gemini VII departed from Launch Complex 19, the ground crews began a well-practiced scramble to get the GT-6 booster onto the pad.

 Fortunately, pad damage was very minimal following Gemini VII’s departure. 

It took only an amazing 10 hours and five minutes to get the first stage of the Titan II booster onto the pad. By six o’clock that Sunday morning the second stage was in place. Within the following 24 hours the spacecraft was hoisted up and placed onto the booster.

 

Each of the Titan II’s stages had an individual trailer upon which it was towed horizontally to the pad by a simple truck. 

Likewise, the spacecraft, wrapped in a protective cover, was moved in an upright position. 

By December 8 the Subsystems Reverification Tests were completed. The pad rats had scrambled and completed a pre-launch that many thought to be impossible.