NEXT SPACEFLIGHT

Status

Success

Gemini XII

Launch Time
Fri Nov 11, 1966 20:46 UTC

The final flight of the Project Gemini.

Rocket

Titan II GLV
NASA
Status: Retired
Liftoff Thrust: 1,913 kN
Payload to LEO: 3,580 kg
Stages: 2
Strap-ons: 0
Rocket Height: 33.2 m

Mission Details

Gemini XII

At the completion of the previous Gemini flight, the program still had not demonstrated that an astronaut could work easily and efficiently outside the spacecraft. In preparation for Gemini XII new, improved restraints were added to the outside of the capsule, and a new technique—underwater training—was introduced, which would become a staple of future space-walk simulation. Aldrin's two-hour, 20-minute tethered space-walk, during which he photographed star fields, retrieved a micrometeorite collector and did other chores, at last demonstrated the feasibility of extravehicular activity. Two more stand-up EVAs also went smoothly, as did the by-now routine rendezvous and docking with an Agena which was done "manually" using the onboard computer and charts when a rendezvous radar failed. The climb to a higher orbit, however, was canceled because of a problem with the Agena booster.

Payloads: 1
Total Mass: 3,762.0 kg
Low Earth Orbit

Location

LC-19, Cape Canaveral SFS, Florida, USA

Stats

1966

114th orbital launch attempt

Titan II

12th mission
5th mission of 1966
12th successful mission