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Gemini X Launches Forty-Five Years Ago Today!

Waring Hills Jul 18, 2011

Astronauts John Young and Michael Collins pose for their mission photo with model of the Gemini space vehicle and a globe. (Photo NASA)

On 18 July 1966, astronauts John Young and Michael Collins launched on the mission of Gemini X, the 8th manned Gemini flight, the 16th manned American flight and the 24th spaceflight of all time. Astronaut Young was a naval aviator and had flown the F-9 Cougar jet (similar to the one on USS Yorktown at Patriots Point) off aircraft carriers in the 1950’s and Michael Collins was an Air Force pilot who had flown the F-86 Sabre. Both astronauts would travel to the moon twice during Apollo missions, only one other astronaut pulled this feat (Jim Lovell).

Watch the launch of Gemini X here

The mission lasted 2 days, 22 hours and 46 minutes (46 orbits of earth), Two successful docking rendezvous were achieved and two EVAs (extra-vehicle activity, aka spacewalk) were completed by astronaut Collins with the longest at 1 hour and 29 minutes.

View of the Agena docking ship from Michael Collin's window (Photo NASA)


Gemini 10 patch

Gemini X successfully splashes down 3.5 miles from impact point in the Atlantic Ocean. (Photo US Navy)

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