Gemini project

Gemini project

A series of US space missions that extended the knowledge gained from the Mercury project and preceded the Apollo program. The project demonstrated that humans could function effectively over long periods of weightlessness, both inside and outside a spacecraft, and that two spacecraft could be made to rendezvous and dock while in orbit. Gemini 3 was the first manned flight, launched in Mar. 1965, with two astronauts on board. America's first spacewalk was made by Ed White in Gemini 4, launched in June 1965. Geminis 6 and 7 rendezvoused in Dec. 1965, and in Mar. 1966 Gemini 8 made the first successful docking with a crewless target. Gemini 7 remained in orbit for what was then a record 330.6 hours. Gemini 12, launched Nov. 1966, completed the project.