Shingle, Beryllium, Gemini

This is an unflown, partially-finished beryllium shingle of the type that covered the lower part of the Rendezvous and Recovery Section on the Gemini capsule. The shingles provided protection against the tremendous heat generated upon the capsule's reentry into the Earth's atmosphere. For added protection, their outer surface was painted with a blue-black ceramic paint and the inner surface had a very thin gold coating. This shingle does not have the latter. Three firms supplied flat sheets of beryllium, which McDonnell finished into shingles. The National Aeronautics and Space Administration transferred this artifact to NASM in 1970.