Gemini Agena 6 target vehicle failed to achieve orbit due to hard start of its bipropellant [inhibited red fuming nitric acid-unsymmetrical dimethyl hydrazine (IRFNA-UDMH)] rocket; problem had gone undetected, because ground testing had not included sufficiently high simulated altitudes; lack of sufficient oxidizer during ignition delay period probably was primary factor; Project Sure Fire was established to manage corrective program; problems encountered in and data obtained from development and testing of modified (oxidizer-lead) Bell model 8247 engine; program provided better understanding of vacuum testing requirements.
Solution of high-vacuum hard-start problem of IRFNA-UDMH rocket for Gemini Agena
J Spacecraft Rockets
Journal of Spacecraft and Rockets ; 5 , n 1
1968
9 pages
Article (Journal)
English
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