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

Picture 3 of 4.

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.