Agena Target Vehicle

ATV, Gemini-Agena Target Vehicle

Mission Profile

Agena Target Vehicle (ATV, Gemini-Agena Target Vehicle) was an unmanned spacecraft derived from the Bell Agena rocket stage, placed in orbit as a docking target for Gemini crews to practice rendezvous and docking maneuvers essential for the upcoming Apollo lunar program. Launched atop Atlas-Agena rockets beginning 25 October 1965 as Gemini 6's planned target, the ATV featured a docking cone, navigation lights, and a restartable propulsion system that Gemini crews could use after docking to practice orbital maneuver execution. Gemini 8 completed the first docking in space history with an Agena on 16 March 1966, while Gemini 11 used its target's engine to set a record altitude of 1,369 km. The ATV program was essential to proving that two spacecraft could find and dock with each other in orbit.