Altimeter, Barometric

This pressure altimeter would have given Gemini astronauts an indication of their altitude as they returned to Earth from space. It was used for testing and was not flown. The altimeter is similar to those used on aircraft, and can measure altitudes up to 80,000 feet (24 km). Early plans for Gemini were to have the capsule return to a runway, using a folding wing designed by Francis Rogallo. The capsule would therefore have required a suite of instruments similar to those of a winged saircraft. After testing, however, the wing was abandoned in favor of a parachute desent into the ocean, like the previous Mercury and subsequent Apollo spacecraft returned.

NASA transferred this altimeter to the Museum in 1973.