Project Gemini

Project Gemini was the second human spaceflight program in which the United States of America sent humans into space, between Projects Mercury and Apollo, during the years 1963-1966. Its objective was to develop techniques for advanced space travel, notably those necessary for Apollo, whose objective was to land men on the Moon. Gemini missions involved extravehicular activity and orbital maneuvers including rendezvous and docking.

Program objectives

The Gemini Program was conceived after it became evident to NASA officials that an intermediate step was required between the projects Mercury and Apollo. The major objectives assigned to Gemini were:

Related Topics:
Mercury - Apollo

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• To subject two men and supporting equipment to long-duration flights, a requirement for projected later trips to the moon or deeper space.
• To effect rendezvous and docking with other orbiting vehicles, and to maneuver the docked vehicles in space, using the propulsion system of the target vehicle for such maneuvers.
• 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 on crew members and to record the physiological reactions of crew members during long duration flights.