Titan II GLV

The Titan II GLV (or Gemini-Titan II) was an American expendable launch system based on the Titan II missile. It was used to launch twelve important space missions for NASA between 1964 and 1966. These missions helped scientists and astronauts learn more about space travel and what it takes to go far from Earth.

The rocket had two main parts. The first part used a special engine called the LR87, and the second part used another engine called the LR91. Both parts used very cold fuels that could catch fire right away when mixed together, making the rocket very powerful.

All of these launches started from a special place called Launch Complex 19 at the Cape Canaveral Air Force Station. The very first mission, called Gemini 1, took off on April 8, 1964. Some of the missions had people inside, and others did not. These flights were an important step in preparing humans for future trips to the Moon and other places in space.

Modifications from the Titan II missile

The Titan II GLV was changed from the original Titan II missile to make it safer and better for carrying astronauts. One big change was adding systems to tell the crew about the rocket’s health and to help in emergencies. The rocket also got extra safety parts to lower the chance of problems at launch.

The guidance system was made simpler, and the fuel tanks were made longer to keep the rocket flying longer. The engines were also adjusted to work better and more smoothly. These changes helped make sure the rocket could carry people safely into space.

Flights

The Titan II could push very hard compared to the Saturn V. Astronauts felt strong forces before the second part of the rocket stopped working at about 100 miles up in the sky. Richard F. Gordon Jr. said the Titan II felt like a fast, exciting ride. Frank Borman described the loud noise as very strong, like a big jet or train. Walter Schirra and Gordon Cooper thought the ride was smoother than another rocket called the Atlas.

Displays

Two old Titan II missiles are shown as if they were Gemini Launch Vehicles, along with some copies made to look like them.

• A Titan II missile, painted to look like GLV-3 12558 (Gemini 3), has been on display at the KSC Rocket Garden since 2010.
• Another Titan II missile, painted to look like GLV-9 12564 (Gemini 9A), is on show at the Stafford Air & Space Museum.
• A full-sized copy of a Gemini-Titan II was built for the 1964 New York World's Fair. It is still displayed at the New York Hall of Science in Corona Park, NY.
• Another full-sized copy is at the Kansas Cosmosphere and Space Center.
• A third copy was shown at the Parque de las Ciencias Luis A. Ferré in Bayamon, PR.
• A model made from two Titan I first stages was on display at KSC Rocket Garden until 2006. In 2010, this model was moved to the Johnson Space Center in Texas.