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Glite Dictionary
Gemini program

Gemini program

6.5
United States space project that sent people into Earth's orbit in 1965 and 1966 to prepare for Moon missions
  • proper noun
  • /ˈdʒɛmɪnaɪ ˈprɒɡræm/
translation icon : programa Gemini
  • Under the Gemini program, crews conducted important tests of space docking and EVA.

Examples

  • The Gemini program was a crucial step in preparing NASA for lunar missions.

  • Many of the astronauts in the Gemini program later walked on the Moon.

  • The Gemini program was crucial for NASA's success.

  • Did the Gemini program help prepare for Apollo?

  • The Gemini program was essential in demonstrating the capabilities needed for future lunar landings.

  • Astronauts trained rigorously as part of the Gemini program, which laid the groundwork for the Apollo missions.

  • The objectives of the Gemini program included testing orbital maneuvers and improving spacecraft systems.

Synonyms

Project Gemini
vsGemini program
  • US
1 6.8

A US space program in 1965 and 1966 that sends people into orbit to test ways for Apollo Moon missions

is the same program but uses the official title instead

Surface Forms

Gemini program main

Morphology

Gemini + program

The noun 'program' only indicates an organized initiative, while 'Gemini' is a proper name whose specific referent (the 1965–66 US spaceflight series) is world knowledge rather than compositional meaning. A B1 learner who knows the constituent words would not be able to infer that this refers to NASA orbital missions without prior exposure, so the phrase is not derivable from its parts.

Etymology

The Gemini program is named after Gemini, the word for 'twins', because each spacecraft carried two astronauts who worked together as a pair. That image of two people training to dock and do spacewalks helps explain why the program was the U.S. project in 1965–66 to prepare crews 'for the Moon'.