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The rod connected to the end of the "leg" of the hatch is part of the hatch actuator assembly.

Unlike the Mercury and Apollo spacecraft, the Gemini spacecraft did not use a launch escape tower; rather, it was equipped with jet fighter-style ejection seats. In an emergency, a pyrotechnic system would push the rod upward to open the hatches, making way for the ejection seat.

Picture 3 of 4.