1965: Gemini 6/7 (NASA)

Gemini 6 was originally intended to be the first mission to dock with an Agena Target Vehicle. However, after a failure in the Agena target 6 minutes after its launch (when the crew of Gemini 6 was already sitting in their capsule waiting for their launch), the mission was cancelled. Reviewing the situation, NASA decided to substitute an alternate mission: a meeting in space of two Gemini spacecraft. The new mission would be known as Gemini 6A, and would launch eight days after the launch of Frank Borman and Jim Lovell's Gemini 7. Schirra and Stafford tried to join them, but their Titan 2 launcher shut down on the pad. Three days later, Gemini 6A made it into orbit. Using guidance from the computer as well as his own piloting, Schirra performed the space rendezvous with the companion spacecraft in orbit on the afternoon of December 15. Once in formation, the two Gemini capsules flew around each other, coming within 0.3 metres of each other but never touching. The two spacecraft stayed in close proximity for five hours. One of Gemini's primary goals—orbital rendezvous—had been achieved.

Gemini 6 was the last U.S. spacecraft to be flown using batteries as the primary power source (except for the Apollo Lunar Module, which used batteries, but was augmented by the fuel cells on the Apollo Command Module while docked). All remaining Gemini flights used fuel cells.

Category:

Science & Technology

Tags:

• 1965
• nasa
• iaf
• space
• gemini

[Andybucker]

Two weeks in a Gemini capsule?? Good God...

[youvebeenthunderstru]

"Frank, Jim. We've got this brilliant idea. We're going to cram you inside the size of a closet for 14 days. Sound good?"

"Fuck no, but we get to go into space, let's do it anyway."

[sFT3wINm09]

The Gemini command module looks like a gas mask.

[CHIIOI3334]

@youvebeenthunderstru Haha!!!!!!!

[uzimodem]

back when America was actually going places....those were indeed the good ol days. Good thing Obumbles wasnt pres back then.

[GGE47]

I think Frank Borman and Wally Schirra made a bet on who could land the closest to the aircraft carrier,but I can't remember who won.

[101southsideboy]

@youvebeenthunderstru the Gemini was actually the size of a v.w. beetle

[stevehislop]

THX for this upload!!!

[MisterEvasion]

When I was a little kid, I was quite excited by all this stuff going in space. A lot of regular television was preempted for space coverage, unfortunately much of it was quite boring for a 6 year old. The good thing was that my Dad was there to alert me for interesting stuff.

Amazing how popular it was at school too. Boys especially viewed art period as a chance to devote time to making drawings of Gemini, astronauts, etc.

[CrowServo3000]

i know, its like sitting in the front seat of a car for 2 weeks

[GGE47]

It was very scary when the engines on Gemini 6 shut down.The guys in the control room were nervous waiting to see if it would explode.Wally Schirra could have ejected ending the mission but played it cool and didn't.This took nerves of steel.Three days later they rendezvoused with Gemini 7.The next day they returned and Gemini 7 finished its' 14 day flight.