Gemini Light Suit Credit - USAF

The David Clark G5C lightweight space suit was developed for long duration Project Gemini missions. It was designed to be easily removed during flight and to provide greater comfort than the standard Gemini space suit. Astronauts Frank Borman and James A. Lovell used suits of this type during their 14 day Gemini VII mission in December 1965.

• 1965 August 12 - Gemini VII crew to use the new lightweight G5C space suit. - Flight: Gemini 7.

  Gemini Program Office informed the NASA-McDonnell Management Panel of the decision to fly the new, lightweight G5C space suit on Gemini VII. Additional Details: Gemini VII crew to use the new lightweight G5C space suit. (21699).

• 1965 December 4 - Both stages of Gemini launch vehicle (GLV) 6 were removed from storage and arrived at complex 19 two hours after the launch of Gemini VII. - Flight: Gemini 6, Gemini 7. Launch Vehicle: Titan 2.

  Spacecraft No. 6 was returned to complex 19 on December 5. Within 24 hours after the launch of Gemini VII, both stages of GLV-6 were erected, spacecraft and launch vehicle were mated, and power was applied. Subsystems Reverification Tests were completed December 8. The only major problem was a malfunction of the spacecraft computer memory. The computer was replaced and checked out December 7-8. The Simulated Flight Test, December 8-9, completed prelaunch tests. The launch, initially scheduled for December 13, was rescheduled for December 12.

• 1965 November 29 - Gilruth requests concurrence of NASA Headquarters for doffing the G5C pressure suits during orbital flight in Gemini VII. - Flight: Gemini 7.

  Director Robert R. Gilruth, Manned Spacecraft Center, requested the concurrence of NASA Headquarters in plans for doffing the G5C pressure suits during orbital flight in Gemini VII. Both astronauts wanted to remove their suits after the second sleep period and don them only for transient dynamic conditions, specifically rendezvous and reentry.Additional Details: Gilruth requests concurrence of NASA Headquarters for doffing the G5C pressure suits during orbital flight in Gemini VII. (21742).