Gemini XI and XII

Hey everyone,

Project Gemini was coming to an end as the Project Apollo was slotted to begin. There were only two flights left. The Gemini XI mission would be flown by Charles "Pete" Conrad and Richard Gordon. Conrad wanted to fly a mission around the moon, but this wouldn't happen (eventually, his wish would come true). However, they did rendezvous immediately after reaching orbit with the Agena to simulate a lunar rendezvous. Gordon made two spacewalks, but he succumbed to exhaustion as other space walkers had. Another EVA was attempted, but it was just a stand up space walk. However, they would reach the highest Earth orbit by an American manned spacecraft, a record that still stands today. They also conducted experiments relating to the human body as had the other Gemini missions. Re-entry was done by computer and landed 4.5km from their intended landing site.

The final manned Gemini flight would have to prove that a man could maneuver easily and work efficiently outside the craft. Jim Lovell and Edwin "Buzz" Aldrin manned this mission which utilized underwater training to simulate space. Foot holds and hand bars were introduced to the spacecraft for increased maneuvering. The other aspects of the mission were routine at this point. Finally,all of the Project Gemini objectives had been completed. With 1967 looming, time was running out, and the goal of the moon by December 31st, 1969 would need a major step forward. The journey would be fraught with excitement as well as tragedy. However, the tragedy came first.