Gemini TTV-1 Paraglider Capsule

Curator Michael Neufeld describes a paraglider landing system, considered by NASA at the beginning of the Gemini program, that would have the two-man Gemini capsule land on a runway after its return from space, rather than parachute into the ocean. Tested but never used to return a spacecraft from space, the Paraglider Landing System Program did prove useful in developing alternate landing techniques. The first of two full-scale, manned Test Tow Vehicles (TTV) built to train Gemini astronauts for flight and flown to perfect maneuvering, control, and landing techniques is on display at the Udvar-Hazy Center. Also on display is a Rogallo Wing used in tests with TTV-1 and TTV-2.

[@jbcharle]

As always, there are costs and benefits. Land landing requires shock absorbers which displace useful down mass. Rogallo wing plus landing gear were prime example.But splashdown complicates reuse due to refurbishment costs. It is not a simple decision.

[@Allan_aka_RocKITEman]

I ❤️ ROGALLO FLEXWINGS & PARAWINGS!!*

[@bruce92106]

That was really interesting, I never knew about this before! Thanks for posting, thumbs-up definitely. Can you tell me how an air cushion came out, or was that just on the Mercury capsules? Even so, after reentry and all of that where did an air cushion come from?