Gemini Missions

NASA PHOTO: Gemini IV launch atop a Titan II rocket, June 3, 1965 from Launch Complex 19 at the Kennedy Space Center. Gemini 4's crew originally intended to call their spacecraft American Eagle, but NASA rejected with a memo saying that they did not want a repeat performance of the previous mission when Gus Grissom named his spacecraft Molly Brown.

NASA PHOTO: James McDivitt and Edward White make their way to the Titan II rocket where they will climb inside their Gemini IV capsule.

Since NASA refused to allow the astronauts to name their mission, no shoulder patch was created. Instead they decided to place the American flag on their shoulders, which has now become a tradition.

 

 

Gemini IV

NASA PHOTO: Ed White outside of the Gemini IV in June 1965. After reluctantly being forced to return to the confines of the capsule, White said "it's the saddest moment of my life."

Gemini III proved that man could maneuver an orbiting space craft. Gemini IV proved that man could maneuver himself in space. Gemini IV was the 2nd manned flight in the Gemini Program and only the 10th manned American spaceflight. In 4 days, James McDivitt and Edward White circled the Earth 66 times.

NASA PHOTO: Astronaut Edward H. White II, pilot for the Gemini-Titan 4 space flight, floats in zero gravity of space. The extravehicular activity was performed during the third revolution of the Gemini 4 spacecraft. White is attached to the spacecraft by a 25-ft. umbilical line and a 23-ft. tether line, both wrapped in gold tape to form one cord. In his right hand White carries a Hand-Held Self-Maneuvering Unit (HHSMU). The visor of his helmet is gold plated to protect him from the unfiltered rays of the sun.

During this mission, Ed White emerged from the safety of the Gemini capsule and floated in space for about 20 minutes.

NASA PHOTO: The space walk experiment proved that man could indeed survive and opened up multiple possibilities for the future of space endeavors.

NASA PHOTO: The world's first Manned Maneuvering Unit.

One of the new tools used on Gemini IVs mission was the Hand Held Manned Maneuvering Unit that provided a method of control direction during EVAs.

On the 48th revolution there was a computer failure and a malfunctioning thruster complicated reentry procedures and gave them a rougher reentry.

Splashdown was 43 nautical miles short of the intended landing spot.

NASA PHOTO: Color dye helps identify the location of the capsule for retrieving helicopter crew. Once floatation collars were attached and a life raft inflated astronauts James McDivitt and Edward White left the capsule and waited to be hoisted to the hovering helicopter.