# Titan II GLV

> American expendable launch vehicle

**Wikidata**: [Q1187238](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q1187238)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Titan_II_GLV)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/titan-ii-glv

## Summary  
The Titan II GLV (Gemini Launch Vehicle) was an American expendable launch vehicle derived from the LGM‑25C Titan II intercontinental ballistic missile. Built by the Glenn L. Martin Company, it served as the launch system for NASA’s crewed Gemini missions in the mid‑1960s.

## Key Facts  
- **Manufacturer:** Glenn L. Martin Company【P143: Q328】  
- **Parent system:** Subclass of the LGM‑25C Titan II ICBM【class】  
- **Purpose:** Expendable launch vehicle for NASA’s Gemini crewed spaceflights (e.g., Gemini 3, 4, 5, 6A, 7, 9A, 12)【related】  
- **Country of origin:** United States【country_of_origin】  
- **Instance of:** Rocket model【instance_of】  
- **Aliases:** Titan II Gemini Launch Vehicle, Gemini‑Titan II, Titan II Gemini, ジェミニ・タイタン, 泰坦II双子座运载火箭【aliases】  
- **Image:** Launch photograph of Gemini‑Titan 11 (GPN‑2000‑001020)【image】  
- **Wikipedia title:** “Titan II GLV” with 16 language sitelinks【wikipedia_title, sitelink_count】  
- **Commons category:** “Titan II Gemini”【commons_category】  

## FAQs  
### Q: What was the Titan II GLV used for?  
A: It was the launch vehicle that carried NASA’s Gemini spacecraft into orbit, supporting seven crewed Gemini missions between 1965 and 1966.  

### Q: Who built the Titan II GLV?  
A: The vehicle was manufactured by the Glenn L. Martin Company in the United States.  

### Q: Is the Titan II GLV reusable?  
A: No. The Titan II GLV was an expendable launch system; each rocket was used for a single launch and then discarded.  

### Q: How does the Titan II GLV relate to the Titan II missile?  
A: The GLV is a space‑launch adaptation of the LGM‑25C Titan II intercontinental ballistic missile, sharing the same basic airframe and propulsion but modified for crewed payloads.  

### Q: Which computer system was integrated into the Titan II GLV?  
A: The digital ASC‑15 computer was used to control the Titan II GLV during its Gemini launches.  

## Why It Matters  
The Titan II GLV was a pivotal bridge between military missile technology and human spaceflight. By repurposing the reliable LGM‑25C Titan II ICBM, NASA gained a powerful, proven launch platform that enabled the Gemini program’s ambitious objectives: long‑duration orbital flights, rendezvous and docking practice, and extravehicular activity (EVA) development. These capabilities directly fed into the success of the Apollo lunar missions, making the Titan II GLV a cornerstone of 1960s American space exploration. Its expendable design demonstrated that existing missile infrastructure could be efficiently adapted for scientific and crewed missions, influencing later launch vehicle development strategies worldwide.

## Notable For  
- **First ICBM‑derived crewed launch vehicle:** Adapted a Cold‑War missile for human spaceflight.  
- **Enabling Gemini program:** Provided the thrust and reliability needed for seven crewed Gemini missions.  
- **Integration of digital flight control:** Utilized the ASC‑15 computer for precise guidance and navigation.  
- **Demonstrated expendable launch efficiency:** Each rocket was purpose‑built for a single mission, simplifying turnaround.  

## Body  

### Overview  
The Titan II GLV (Gemini Launch Vehicle) was an American expendable launch system derived from the LGM‑25C Titan II missile. It was specifically configured to launch the Gemini spacecraft, marking a critical step in NASA’s crewed spaceflight program.

### Design and Heritage  
- **Parent missile:** The vehicle inherited its airframe, propulsion, and structural design from the LGM‑25C Titan II ICBM, a 1962 intercontinental ballistic missile.  
- **Modifications for crewed flight:** Adjustments included a human‑rated payload fairing, enhanced guidance, and the incorporation of the ASC‑15 digital computer for flight control.  

### Launch History  
The Titan II GLV launched the following Gemini missions:  
- **Gemini 3 (1965)** – first crewed Gemini flight.  
- **Gemini 4 (1965)** – second crewed flight, first EVA.  
- **Gemini 5 (1965)** – first long‑duration mission.  
- **Gemini 6A (1965)** – first rendezvous.  
- **Gemini 7 (1965)** – longest crewed flight to date.  
- **Gemini 9A (1966)** – EVA and docking practice.  
- **Gemini 12 (1966)** – final Gemini mission.  

Each launch used a single‑use Titan II GLV, after which the vehicle was discarded.

### Technical Characteristics  
- **Classification:** Rocket model, subclass of LGM‑25C Titan II.  
- **Manufacturer:** Glenn L. Martin Company (United States).  
- **Expendable nature:** No recovery or refurbishment; each rocket performed one launch.  

### Legacy  
The success of the Titan II GLV demonstrated the feasibility of converting military missiles into reliable crewed launch vehicles. Its performance paved the way for the Saturn IB and Saturn V rockets that later carried astronauts to the Moon, and it set a precedent for modern launch vehicle reuse concepts that balance heritage hardware with new mission requirements.

## Schema Markup  
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  "name": "Titan II GLV",
  "description": "American expendable launch vehicle derived from the Titan II missile, used to launch NASA's Gemini crewed missions.",
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## References

1. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013