#gemini program
Come on out! Pete Conrad emerges from the Command Module following splashdown of Gemini 11 in the Atlantic Ocean, Sept 1966. The penultimate mission of Project Gemini saw Conrad & Richard Gordon perform the 1st direct-ascent rendezvous with an AGT (Agena Target Vehicle). The G11 craft docked with the AGT on 1st orbit, just 94 minutes after launch. Backup crew for the mission were Neil Armstrong & William Anders.
Splashing down. Astronauts Gus Grissom & John Young sit within their Gemini 3 capsule nicknamed ‘Molly Brown’ following splashdown of the first crewed mission of Project Gemini, March 1965. The pair had just completed 3 orbits about Earth over a near 5-hour period. G3 was the first US space mission with 2 astronauts & also the first in which thrusters were fired by the crew to change the size & shape of their orbit. This was an important step in spacecraft maneuverability essential for a potential future moon landing. Following G3, Mission Control moved from Cape Kennedy to Houston, Texas.
We have lift off! Frank Borman & James Lovell blast off for their rookie spaceflight in Gemini 7, Dec 1965. The pair orbited Earth 206 times during their 14 days in space in their tiny Gemini capsule. It was the world’s longest spaceflight until Jun 1970 when Soyuz 9 broke it. G7 also achieved the first rendezvous between 2 spacecraft as Gemini 6A with Wally Schirra &
Tom Stafford came within 1 foot of G7 & could have docked had the crafts been equipped to do so. Ed White & Michael Collins served as backup for G7.
Suited & ready. Frank Borman trains for his space age marathon mission with astronaut Jim Lovell on Gemini 7, Dec 1965. The pair set a space endurance record at the time; 14 days in space in a tiny Gemini capsule; about ½ the size of a VW Beetle. Mr. Borman later went on to fly with Lovell & William Anders on the historic first lunar orbit via Apollo 8 in Dec 1968. Chosen in the Next Nine (2nd Group of astronauts in 1962), Borman was also the NASA liaison to the White House during Apollo 11 & watched the moon landing mission with President Nixon.
Astronaut thru a window. Buzz Aldrin prepares for Gemini 12, Nov 1966. The mission marked the end of Project Gemini. The first crewed launch of the Gemini Program began in March 1965 with Gus Grissom & John Young via Gemini 3. The spacewalks by Mr. Aldrin on Gemini’s final mission demonstrated an astronaut could work outside the spacecraft for extended periods of time. New handles on the outside of the craft & the introduction of underwater training assisted in improving an astronaut’s EVA ability. Buzz became a pioneer in extended spacewalks; his 3 EVAs on G12 totalled 5.5 hours. Becoming the 2nd human to walk on the moon 3 years later during Apollo 11 further cemented his legacy.
