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From: clyde@emx.utexas.edu (Clyde W. Hoover)
Newsgroups: sci.space.shuttle
Subject: Re: Gemini 7 (was Re: Differences in appearance between shuttles)
Message-ID: <37260@ut-emx>
Date: 17 Sep 90 02:10:53 GMT
References: <36974@ut-emx> <3449@syma.sussex.ac.uk> <1990Sep14.044919.13801@zoo.toronto.edu> <1990Sep15.231930.10777@nas.nasa.gov>
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|> >In article <3449@syma.sussex.ac.uk> nickw@syma.sussex.ac.uk (Nick
Watkins) writes:
|> <>Meanwhile, what are the objects on the side of the reentry module of
|> <>Gemini 7, attached to what look like deployable doors ? Are they cameras,
|> <>targets, experiments or what ?

In article <1990Sep15.231930.10777@nas.nasa.gov>,
smithwik@pioneer.arc.nasa.gov (R. Michael Smithwick -- FSN) writes:
|> Actually the transponder was located in the nose nestled under the
|> parachutes. I have the Mac-Dac GT-7 reference guide, and it doesn't
|> mention those things. 
|> 

Seeing as where they are placed, I assumed that they were horizon sensors used
as part of the spacecraft attitude control system.  I haven't seen them on any
other Geminis, but I don't recall seeing any photos of that area of
the spacecraft from any other flights either.

Once again as to the color - I have also seen those pictures where the
Reentry Module looks bluish.  That is an artifact of the lighting.  The RM
was not painted at all, except for the "UNITED STATES" and flag emblem on
the sides.

	-Clyde Hoover

Shouter-To-Dead-Parrots @ Univ. of Texas Computation Center; Austin, Texas  
	clyde@emx.utexas.edu; ...!cs.utexas.edu!ut-emx!clyde

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