Interconnect Technology for Manned Space Flight

Glenair: The Most Trusted Name in Manned Space Connectors and Cables

G lenair’s history of interconnect innovation for manned space applications began with our design and fabrication role in the realization of the golden umbilical life-support cable used by Commander Ed White in the first American Gemini Program space walk in 1965. This was a complex cable assembly with an exacting set of performance requirements. Even though this application is now over 50 years old, it still reflects Glenair’s unique skill set as both a manufacturer of high-performance connectors and wire protection products as well as a provider

Commander Ed White’s “Golden Umbilical” cable—and the numerous Titan II / Gemini launch cables manufactured by Glenair’s cable division in Southern California—were essential to America’s early manned space program.

PAST HISTORY OF PERFORMANCE IN

MANNED SPACE APPLICATIONS • The “Golden Umbilical” life-support cable • Titan II space launch vehicles • Space Shuttle orbiter • International Space Station • X-38 experimental spacecraft

of turnkey assemblies incorporating Glenair signature interconnect technology. Complex interconnect cable assemblies made by Glenair have traveled to and from orbit dozens of times on the Space Shuttle, and we were also responsible for producing the

long-length umbilical cables used on the Titan II launch vehicle for all twelve Gemini missions. For this application, Glenair developed some truly unique fabrication fixtures and processes to complete this unique cable build.

< Gemini VIII launch, Titan II launch vehicle with umbilical cables in view on launch tower.