The Gemini Program
1962 - 1966

On December 7, 1961 the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) announced a plan for development of a two-man spacecraft. On January 3, 1962 the program was officially designated Gemini, named after the third constellation of the zodiac, featuring the twin stars Castor and Pollux.

It had become obvious to NASA that an intermediate step was required between Project Mercury and the Apollo Program so the Gemini Program was conceived. Gemini's major objectives were:

Longer flights with the necessary equipment to support 2 men - a necessity for trips to the moon.

To effect maneuvering, rendezvous and docking with other orbiting vehicles.

To perfect methods of reentry and landing the spacecraft at a pre-selected land-landing point.

To gain additional information concerning the effects of weightlessness and to record the physiological reactions of crew members during long duration flights.

The Gemini Program was immensely successful. All of the major objectives were met except for the land landing which was canceled from the Gemini Program in 1964, but the precision control necessary to achieve the land landing objective was demonstrated. Many objectives assigned to each mission were also met. There were 2 un-manned missions followed by 10 manned missions. The program was operationally completed with the Gemini XII flight.