Gemini 11 Flown Heatshield Artifact #2
A genuine segment of heatshield from the Gemini 11 capsule, the spacecraft that achieved the first direct-ascent rendezvous in orbit, attached to an 8x10 photograph.
In stock
DESCRIPTION
The heatshield displayed here was part of the Gemini 11 spacecraft, launched on September 12, 1966, carrying astronauts Charles “Pete” Conrad and Richard F. Gordon Jr. The flight accomplished a direct-ascent rendezvous shortly after reaching orbit and went on to set a record altitude of nearly 850 miles—higher than any other crewed mission until Apollo. Over the course of three days, the astronauts conducted spacewalks, completed scientific studies, and tested advanced docking procedures critical for future lunar missions. When the capsule reentered Earth’s atmosphere, the ablative heatshield bore the full force of reentry heating, its surface intentionally burning away to dissipate energy and shield the crew compartment. Gemini 11 completed its descent with a successful splashdown in the Atlantic Ocean on September 15, 1966, demonstrating the precision and reliability of the Gemini reentry system.
Product Information:
- Flown heatshield segment
- Attached to an 8x10-inch mission photograph
- Includes a Certificate of Authenticity from The Space Collective
- Sealed and easily removed from a clear protective 8" x 10" toploader
Authenticity Information:
This artifact came from the collection of the American Space Museum in Orlando, FL.
Lifetime Guarantee of Authenticity:
All of our artifacts are thoroughly and extensively researched before being listed for sale, so much so that we're proud to offer a lifetime guarantee of authenticity for this and other artifacts listed throughout our website. We also hold a record of every piece we sell which can be identified and searched in our online database using the serial number listed on your certificate of authenticity.
Description
The heatshield displayed here was part of the Gemini 11 spacecraft, launched on September 12, 1966, carrying astronauts Charles “Pete” Conrad and Richard F. Gordon Jr. The flight accomplished a direct-ascent rendezvous shortly after reaching orbit and went on to set a record altitude of nearly 850 miles—higher than any other crewed mission until Apollo. Over the course of three days, the astronauts conducted spacewalks, completed scientific studies, and tested advanced docking procedures critical for future lunar missions. When the capsule reentered Earth’s atmosphere, the ablative heatshield bore the full force of reentry heating, its surface intentionally burning away to dissipate energy and shield the crew compartment. Gemini 11 completed its descent with a successful splashdown in the Atlantic Ocean on September 15, 1966, demonstrating the precision and reliability of the Gemini reentry system.
Product Information:
- Flown heatshield segment
- Attached to an 8x10-inch mission photograph
- Includes a Certificate of Authenticity from The Space Collective
- Sealed and easily removed from a clear protective 8" x 10" toploader
Authenticity Information:
This artifact came from the collection of the American Space Museum in Orlando, FL.
Lifetime Guarantee of Authenticity:
All of our artifacts are thoroughly and extensively researched before being listed for sale, so much so that we're proud to offer a lifetime guarantee of authenticity for this and other artifacts listed throughout our website. We also hold a record of every piece we sell which can be identified and searched in our online database using the serial number listed on your certificate of authenticity.
