Gemini Program

Gemini Overview

America’s Gemini program consisted of two unmanned and ten manned missions flown during 1965 and 1966. Gemini crews practiced techniques for orbital rendezvous, docking, long duration spaceflight, and extravehicular activities. The highly successful Gemini program helped bridge the gap between the Mercury and Apollo programs.

Gemini missions were launched on Titan 2 rockets from Pad-19 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station.

Gemini 2 Capsule

The first American spacecraft to fly in space twice, Gemini 2 first flew on a suborbital test flight in 1964. The capsule was refurbished and flew a second time in 1966. The second mission, a test flight for the Air Force Manned Orbiting Program (MOL), was launched on a Titan IIIC rocket. Gemini 2 is on display at the Air Force Space and Missile Museum. (Photos: Richard Kruse, 2009)

Gemini IV Capsule

Launched on June 3, 1965, Commander James A. McDivitt and Pilot Edward H. White II, completed a four day mission. While in orbit, Ed White performed the first American spacewalk. Gemini VII is on display at the National Air and Space Museum. (Photos: Richard Kruse, 2008)

Gemini V Capsule

Launched on August 21, 1965, Commander Gordon Cooper and Pilot Charles Conrad, completed an eight day mission. Gemini V is on display at Space Center Houston. (Photos: Kevin Barrett, 2009)

Gemini VII Capsule

Launched on December 4, 1965, Commander Frank Borman and Pilot James Lovell Jr. completed a 14 day mission. While in orbit, Gemini VI rendezvoused with Gemini VII. This was the worlds first rendezvous between two crewed spacecraft. Gemini VII is on display at the Udvar-Hazy Center. (Photos: Richard Kruse, 2008)

Gemini VIII Capsule

Photos of the Gemini 8 Capsule on display at the Neil Armstrong Air and Space Museum. Neil Armstrong and David Scott performed the first orbital docking in 1966. The mission was cut short due to a stuck thruster. (Photos: Richard Kruse, 2008)

Gemini VIII Hatch Detail

Gemini VIII Reentry Control Thruster Detail

Gemini VIII Heat Shield Supports

Gemini VIII Interior

Gemini IX Capsule

Launched on June 3, 1966, Commander Thomas P. Stafford and Pilot Eugene A. Cernan, completed a three day mission. Gemini IX is on display at Kennedy Space Center. (Photos: Richard Kruse, 2009)

Gemini XII Capsule

Launched November 11, 1966, Commander James Lovell Jr., and Pilot Edwin Aldrin performed rendezvous, docking and EVA. Gemini 12 is on display at Adler Planetarium in Chicago. (Photos: Richard Kruse, 2008)

Gemini B Capsule

Photos of the Gemini Capsule on display at the National Museum of the United States Air Force. This capsule is a Gemini B configuration, intended for use as part of the Manned Orbiting Laboratory (MOL) program. Note the circular hatch between the ejection seats. (Photos: Richard Kruse, 2007)

Gemini Boilerplate - El Kabong I

Gemini Capsule Boilerplate on display at the Michigan Space Science Center in Kalamazoo Michigan.

The boilerplate capsule, nicknamed El Kabong I, was used to support the Gemini Para-Sail Program. This program explored the feasibility of recovering Gemini space capsules on land, using a steerable gliding parachute, solid-fuel landing rockets, and deployable landing gear.

El Kabong I was originally manufactured by the NASA Manned Spacecraft Center and has recently been restored by the Air Zoo. The artifact is on loan from the National Air and Space Museum.

(Photos: Richard Kruse, 2008)

Gemini TTV-1

Piloted Test Tow Vehicle (TTV-1). Currently on display at the Udvar-Hazy Center at Dullas airport.
(Photos: Richard Kruse, 2008)

Gemini Fuel Cell

Photos of a Gemini fuel cell on display at the U.S. Space and Rocket Center. (Photos: Richard Kruse, 2007)

Gemini G4C Space suit

Gemini G4C Space suits were manufactured by the David Clark Company. G4C space suits were worn by American astronauts on eight of the ten manned Gemini missions. (G3C suits were used on the Gemini 3 mission, and G5C suits were worn by the Gemini 7 crew).

Neil Armstrong's Gemini 8 Space suit (G4C-24)

Photos of Neil Armstrong's Gemini 8 Space Suit. The suit was on display at the Neil Armstrong Air & Space Museum. (Photos: Richard Kruse, 2008)

David Scott's Gemini 8 Space suit (G4C-27)

Photos of David Scott's Gemini 8 Space Suit. The suit is on display at Kennedy Space Center. (Photos: Richard Kruse, 2009)

Gemini G5C Space suit

Gemini G5C Space suits, also known as 'Gemini Lightweight Suit', were manufactured by the David Clark Company. G5C space suits were worn by American astronauts Frank Borman and James Lovell during the long duration flight of Gemini VII in 1965.

G5C Space suit

This suit is on display at the Astronaut Hall of Fame. (Photos: Richard Kruse, 2009)

Launch Complex 19 (LC-19) - Cape Canaveral

Launch Complex 19, located at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, was the launch site for all ten manned Gemini missions. Additionally, 17 unmanned Titan I and Titan II missions were flown from the complex. Gemini 12, launched on November 11, 1966, was the last mission launched from complex 19.
NOTE: Since these photos were taken, the white room has been restored and moved to the Air Force Space & Missile Museum.
(These photos were taken by Richard Kruse in 1997.)

Launch Complex 19 White Room has been restored and is now on display at the Air Force Space and Missile Museum
(Photos: Richard Kruse, 2009.)