{"id":168571,"date":"2021-07-21T13:00:00","date_gmt":"2021-07-21T17:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/?migration=converted-node-472644"},"modified":"2023-08-29T19:20:46","modified_gmt":"2023-08-29T23:20:46","slug":"55-years-ago-gemini-x-soars-to-new-heights","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/history\/55-years-ago-gemini-x-soars-to-new-heights\/","title":{"rendered":"55 Years Ago: Gemini X Soars to New Heights"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>The primary goals of Project Gemini included proving the techniques required for the Apollo Program to fulfill President John F. Kennedy\u2019s goal of landing a man on the Moon and returning him safely to Earth before the end of the 1960s. Paramount among those techniques was rendezvous and docking, required to implement the Lunar Orbit Rendezvous method NASA chose for the Moon landing missions. Additional goals of Gemini included proving that astronauts could work outside their spacecraft during spacewalks and ensuring that spacecraft and astronauts could function for at least eight days, then considered the minimum time for a roundtrip mission to the Moon. The first seven Gemini missions in 1965 and early 1966 demonstrated the spacecraft\u2019s space worthiness, the feasibility of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/history\/space-station-20th-spacewalking-history\/\">spacewalking<\/a>, extended flight durations to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/history\/55-years-ago-the-spirit-of-76-the-first-rendezvous-in-space\/\">14 days<\/a>, and demonstrated <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/history\/55-years-ago-the-spirit-of-76-the-first-rendezvous-in-space\/\">space rendezvous<\/a> and docking techniques. The goals of the three-day Gemini X mission included docking with one target vehicle, conducting a rendezvous with a second target, and performing two spacewalks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"gemini_x_1_crew_photo\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/gemini_x_1_crew_photo_s66-44601_cropped.jpg\" width=\"277\" height=\"220\"> <img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"gemini_x_2_crew_patch\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/gemini_x_2_crew_patch.png\" width=\"253\" height=\"220\"><br>\n<em>Left: Gemini X crew of John W. Young, left, and Michael Collins.<br>\nRight: The Gemini X crew patch.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In January 1966, NASA named Gemini 3 veteran <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/young_john.pdf?emrc=1bda00\">John W. Young<\/a> and spaceflight rookie <a href=\"https:\/\/historycollection.jsc.nasa.gov\/JSCHistoryPortal\/history\/oral_histories\/CollinsM\/collinsm.htm\" rel=\"noopener\">Michael Collins<\/a> as the prime crew for Gemini X, with Gemini VII veteran <a href=\"https:\/\/historycollection.jsc.nasa.gov\/JSCHistoryPortal\/history\/oral_histories\/LovellJA\/lovellja.htm\" rel=\"noopener\">James A. Lovell<\/a> and rookie <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/aldrin_buzz.pdf?emrc=c7020c\">Edwin E. \u201cBuzz\u201d Aldrin<\/a>, as their backups. With the reshuffling of crews following the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/history\/55-years-ago-remembering-elliot-see-and-charles-bassett\/\">deaths on Feb. 28 of the Gemini IX crew<\/a> of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/see_elliot.pdf?emrc=d07bad\">Elliot M. See<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/bassett_charles.pdf?emrc=5457d4\">Charles A. Bassett<\/a>, on March 21 NASA assigned <a href=\"https:\/\/historycollection.jsc.nasa.gov\/JSCHistoryPortal\/history\/oral_histories\/BeanAL\/beanal.htm\" rel=\"noopener\">Alan L. Bean<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/history\/50-years-ago-on-the-way-to-the-moon-astronaut-clifton-c-c-c-williams\/\">Clifton C. Williams<\/a> as the new Gemini X backup crew.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"gemini_x_3_eva_training_collins_hhmu_apr_1_1966\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/gemini_x_3_eva_training_collins_hhmu_apr_1_1966_s66-28782.jpg\" width=\"210\" height=\"210\"> <img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"gemini_x_4_preflight_presser_jul_2_1966\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/gemini_x_4_preflight_presser_jul_2_1966_s66-39762.jpg\" width=\"320\" height=\"210\"><br>\n<em>Left: Collins practices using the Hand-Held Maneuvering Unit during his spacewalk<br>\ntraining in a zero-gravity aircraft. Right: Preflight press conference with the<br>\nGemini X prime crew of John W. Young, left, and Michael Collins, and the<br>\nbackup crew of Alan L. Bean, and Clifton C. Williams.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>On July 2, Young and Collins, along with their backups Bean and Williams, described their planned three-day mission to reporters during a press conference at the Manned Spacecraft Center (MSC), now NASA\u2019s Johnson Space Center in Houston. The flight plan called for Gemini X to launch about 90 minutes after the Agena X docking target vehicle and confirmation that the target had achieved the correct orbit. Young and Collins would dock their Gemini spacecraft with the Agena target on their fourth revolution. Shortly after, they would fire the Agena\u2019s engine to raise the docked spacecraft\u2019s altitude and fire it a second time to set up for a rendezvous with the Gemini VIII Agena, in orbit since March 1966 and no longer functioning. Collins would perform a stand-up spacewalk from the Gemini\u2019s hatch to conduct photography experiments. After releasing their own Agena, Young would maneuver Gemini X close to Agena VIII and Collins would perform his second spacewalk lasting about 90 minutes. Floating over to Agena VIII, he would retrieve experiment samples. They would return to Earth after a three-day mission, to be recovered in the Atlantic Ocean.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"gemini_x_5_crew_walking_to_pad_jul_18_1966\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/gemini_x_5_crew_walking_to_pad_jul_18_1966_s66-42754.jpg\" width=\"176\" height=\"270\"> <img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"gemini_x_6_agena-10_launch_jul_18_1966\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/gemini_x_6_agena-10_launch_jul_18_1966_s66-42751.jpg\" width=\"163\" height=\"270\"> <img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"gemini_x_7_launch_jul_18_1966\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/gemini_x_7_launch_jul_18_1966_s66-42756.jpg\" width=\"268\" height=\"270\"><br>\n<em>Left: NASA astronauts John W. Young, left, and Michael Collins arrive at Launch Pad 19<br>\nat the Cape Kennedy Air Force Station, now the Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, to<br>\nboard their Gemini X spacecraft. Middle: The launch of the Agena X Target Vehicle.<br>\nRight: The launch of Gemini X.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The dual countdowns for the Agena X target and Gemini X were the smoothest in the program, leading to on time launches 90 minutes apart on July 18, 1966. A team of controllers at the Mission Control Center at MSC led by Flight Director Glynn S. Lunney monitored the launches. Less than six hours after liftoff, Young brought Gemini X in for a docking with the Agena X target over the Pacific Ocean. Less than two hours later, they fired the Agena\u2019s big engine to raise the high point of their orbit to a then-record 473 miles. \u201cThat was really something,\u201d said Young. \u201cWhen that baby lights,\u201d he added, \u201cthere\u2019s no doubt about it!\u201d After a long day, the crew began an eight-hour sleep period.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"gemini_x_8_mcc_lunney_et_al_jul_18_1966\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/gemini_x_8_mcc_lunney_et_al_jul_18_1966_s66-43377.jpg\" width=\"525\" height=\"363\"><br>\n<em>Left: Flight Director Glynn S. Lunney, second from left, and mission<br>\nmanagers monitor the first day of the Gemini X mission.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"gemini_x_9_agena_10_predocking\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/gemini_x_9_agena_10_predocking_s66-46124.jpg\" width=\"270\" height=\"270\"> <img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"gemini_x_10_agena_10_engine_firing\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/gemini_x_10_agena_10_engine_firing_s66-46249.jpg\" width=\"263\" height=\"270\"><br>\n<em>Left: Gemini X about 41 feet from the Agena X target shortly before docking.<br>\nRight: Once docked, the Agena\u2019s engine fired to raise the joined spacecraft\u2019s<br>\naltitude to a then-record 473 miles.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>On the morning of their second day in space, Young and Collins fired the Agena X\u2019s engine a second time to lower their altitude and prepare them for the rendezvous with the Agena VIII target. Collins opened the hatch to perform his standup spacewalk to conduct a study of stellar ultraviolet radiation and take photographs. They cut the spacewalk short by about six minutes when an irritant in their suits\u2019 ventilation system caused their eyes and throats to burn. The standup spacewalk lasted 49 minutes. After conducting additional engine burns for the next day\u2019s rendezvous, the crew went to sleep.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"gemini_x_11_young_in_spacecraft\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/gemini_x_11_young_in_spacecraft_gt10-237a-s66-46270.jpg\" width=\"260\" height=\"260\"> <img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"gemini_x_12_collins_in_spacecraft\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/gemini_x_12_collins_in_spacecraft_s66-46270.jpg\" width=\"269\" height=\"260\"><br>\n<em>John W. Young, left, and Michael Collins photographed each other during<br>\nthe Gemini X mission showing the tight confines of the spacecraft.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>After remaining docked for 39 hours, they released the Agena X and completed the rendezvous to Agena VIII using the Gemini spacecraft thrusters. Young brought the Gemini to within nine feet of the target as Collins opened the hatch to begin his spacewalk. He retrieved the Hand-Held Maneuvering Unit (HHMU) as Young brought their spacecraft to within six feet of the Agena. Collins pushed off, floated between the two spacecraft, and easily grasped the docking cone on the Agena. But without handholds he found it difficult to remain stable and retrieve the experiment package and he drifted off, secured only by his 45-foot tether. He used the HHMU to maneuver back to the Agena and retrieved the experiment package. With Gemini\u2019s fuel running low due to the station keeping maneuvers, Mission Control decided to cut the spacewalk short and ordered Collins back into the spacecraft. Instead of 90 minutes, the activity concluded after 39 minutes. An hour later, they opened the hatches for three minutes to discard some unneeded items, and completed a critical maneuver to align their trajectory for the next day\u2019s reentry burn. They settled in for their third and final sleep period of the mission.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"gemini_x_13_splashdown_jul_21_1966\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/gemini_x_13_splashdown_jul_21_1966_s66-42782.jpg\" width=\"336\" height=\"220\"> <img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"gemini_x_14_post_splashdown\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/gemini_x_14_post_splashdown_gt10-264-66hc-728-7.21.66.jpg\" width=\"178\" height=\"220\"><br>\n<em>Left: The Gemini X spacecraft at the moment of splashdown. Right: Gemini X<br>\nastronauts Michael Collins, left, and John W. Young in the life raft<br>\nfollowing splashdown, awaiting pickup by the helicopter crew.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Upon awakening on their last day in space, Young and Collins tidied up their spacecraft in preparation for the retrorocket burn that brought them out of orbit and headed toward home. Splashdown on July 21 less than four miles from the prime recovery ship U.S.S. Guadalcanal (CVE-60) concluded their successful mission after 70 hours and 46 minutes. Young and Collins elected to exit their spacecraft in the water and onto a life raft. Rescue crews hoisted them aboard a helicopter that flew them to the deck of the carrier for a celebratory welcome home reception. Sailors later hoisted the Gemini X spacecraft onto the ship. The astronauts flew by helicopter back to NASA\u2019s Kennedy Space Center in Florida for several days of debriefings before returning to Houston\u2019s Ellington Air Force Base near MSC for reunions with their families.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"gemini_x_15_young_collins_on_carrier_deck\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/gemini_x_15_young_collins_on_carrier_deck_gt10-277-noid-7.21.66.jpg\" width=\"155\" height=\"230\"> <img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"gemini_x_16_mcc_post_splashdown\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/gemini_x_16_mcc_post_splashdown_gt10-248-s66-39870-7.21.66.jpg\" width=\"301\" height=\"230\"> <img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"gemini_x_17_young_collins_back_at_ksc\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/gemini_x_17_young_collins_back_at_ksc_gt10-307-7.22.66.jpg\" width=\"182\" height=\"230\"><br>\n<em>Left: Gemini X astronauts John W. Young, left, and Michael Collins on the deck<br>\nof the prime recovery ship the U.S.S. Guadalcanal. Middle: The Mission<br>\nControl Center at the Manned Spacecraft Center, now NASA\u2019s Johnson<br>\nSpace Center in Houston, following the Gemini X splashdown.<br>\nRight: Young, left, and Collins following their return to<br>\nNASA\u2019s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>On August 1, Young and Collins summarized their mission, including narrating a film of their flight, to assembled reporters during a press conference in MSC\u2019s main auditorium. Robert C. Seamans, NASA deputy administrator, presented Young and Collins with NASA Exceptional Service Medals in recognition of their groundbreaking mission to help America achieve President Kennedy\u2019s goal of a Moon landing. In summarizing the program up to that point, Seamans said, \u201cGemini has done more to open the way to the Moon than we could have hoped for five years ago.\u201d The Gemini X spacecraft is on display at the <a href=\"http:\/\/cosmospheretour.com\/index.php\" rel=\"noopener\">Cosmosphere<\/a> in Hutchinson, Kansas.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"gemini_x_18_at_kansas_cosmosphere\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/gemini_x_18_at_kansas_cosmosphere.jpg\" width=\"254\" height=\"190\"> <img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"gemini_x_19_postflight_crew_presser_aug_1_1966\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/gemini_x_19_postflight_crew_presser_aug_1_1966_s66-39896.jpg\" width=\"290\" height=\"190\"><br>\n<em>Left: Gemini X astronauts John W. Young and Michael Collins on the stage<br>\nof the auditorium of the Manned Spacecraft Center, now NASA\u2019s Johnson<br>\nSpace Center in Houston, for the postflight press conference.<br>\nRight: The Gemini X capsule on display at the Cosmosphere in<br>\nHutchinson, Kansas. <strong>Image credit: Cosmosphere.<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Enjoy a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=L-N-LsmLI8Y\" rel=\"noopener\">video<\/a> of the Gemini X mission.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><em>John Uri<br>NASA Johnson Space Center<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n<div id=\"\" class=\"nasa-gb-align-full width-full maxw-full padding-x-3 padding-y-0 article_a hds-module hds-module-full wp-block-nasa-blocks-credits-and-details\">\n<section class=\"padding-x-0 padding-top-5 padding-bottom-2 desktop:padding-top-7 desktop:padding-bottom-9\">\n\t<div class=\"grid-row grid-container maxw-widescreen padding-0\">\n\t\t<div class=\"grid-col-12 desktop:grid-col-2 padding-right-4 margin-bottom-5 desktop:margin-bottom-0\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"padding-top-3 border-top-1px border-color-carbon-black\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"margin-bottom-2\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"heading-14\">Share<\/h2>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"padding-bottom-2\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<ul class=\"social-icons social-icons-round\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"social-icon social-icon-x\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/intent\/tweet?via=NASA&text=55%20Years%20Ago%3A%20Gemini%20X%20Soars%20to%20New%20Heights&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.nasa.gov%2Fhistory%2F55-years-ago-gemini-x-soars-to-new-heights%2F\" aria-label=\"Share on X.\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg width=\"1200\" height=\"1227\" viewBox=\"0 0 1200 1227\" fill=\"none\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M714.163 519.284L1160.89 0H1055.03L667.137 450.887L357.328 0H0L468.492 681.821L0 1226.37H105.866L515.491 750.218L842.672 1226.37H1200L714.137 519.284H714.163ZM569.165 687.828L521.697 619.934L144.011 79.6944H306.615L611.412 515.685L658.88 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viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><path d=\"M4.98 3.5c0 1.381-1.11 2.5-2.48 2.5s-2.48-1.119-2.48-2.5c0-1.38 1.11-2.5 2.48-2.5s2.48 1.12 2.48 2.5zm.02 4.5h-5v16h5v-16zm7.982 0h-4.968v16h4.969v-8.399c0-4.67 6.029-5.052 6.029 0v8.399h4.988v-10.131c0-7.88-8.922-7.593-11.018-3.714v-2.155z\"\/><\/svg>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"social-icon social-icon-rss\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"\/feed\/\" aria-label=\"Subscribe to RSS feed.\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewBox=\"0 0 800 800\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><path d=\"M493 652H392c0-134-111-244-244-244V307c189 0 345 156 345 345zm71 0c0-228-188-416-416-416V132c285 0 520 235 520 520z\"\/><circle cx=\"219\" cy=\"581\" r=\"71\"\/><\/svg>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/ul>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"grid-col-12 desktop:grid-col-5 padding-right-4 margin-bottom-5 desktop:margin-bottom-0\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"padding-top-3 border-top-1px border-color-carbon-black\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"margin-bottom-2\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"heading-14\">Details<\/h2>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"grid-row margin-bottom-3\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"grid-col-4\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"subheading\">Last Updated<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"grid-col-8\">Aug 29, 2023<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<div class=\"grid-col-12 desktop:grid-col-5 padding-right-4 margin-bottom-5 desktop:margin-bottom-0\"><div class=\"padding-top-3 border-top-1px border-color-carbon-black \"><div class=\"margin-bottom-2\"><h2 class=\"heading-14\">Related Terms<\/h2><\/div><ul class=\"article-tags\"><li class=\"article-tag\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/history\/\">NASA History<\/a><\/li><li class=\"article-tag\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/missions\/gemini\/\">Gemini<\/a><\/li><li class=\"article-tag\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/mission\/gemini-x\/\">Gemini X<\/a><\/li><li class=\"article-tag\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/former-astronaut-john-w-young\/\">John W. Young<\/a><\/li><li class=\"article-tag\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/former-astronaut-michael-collins\/\">Michael Collins<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/div><\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/section>\n\t<\/div>\n\n<div id=\"\" class=\"nasa-gb-align-full width-full maxw-full padding-x-3 padding-y-0 hds-module hds-module-full wp-block-nasa-blocks-related-articles\">\t\t<section class=\"hds-related-articles padding-x-0 padding-y-3 desktop:padding-top-7 desktop:padding-bottom-9\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"w-100 grid-row grid-container maxw-widescreen padding-0 text-align-left\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"margin-bottom-4\"><h2 style=\"max-width: 100%;\" class=\"width-full w-full maxw-full\">Explore More<\/h2><\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<div class=\"grid-row grid-container maxw-widescreen padding-0\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"grid-col-12 desktop:grid-col-4 margin-bottom-4 desktop:margin-bottom-0 desktop:padding-right-3\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/history\/flag-day-2024-one-small-flags-incredible-journey\/\" class=\"color-carbon-black\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"margin-bottom-2\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"hds-cover-wrapper cover-hover-zoom bg-carbon-black minh-mobile\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figure class=\"hds-media-background  \"><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/flag-day-2024-11-us-flag-after-demo-2-mission-arrival-1.jpg?w=300\" class=\"attachment-medium size-medium\" alt=\"\" style=\"transform: scale(1); transform-origin: 50% 50%; object-position: 50% 50%; object-fit: cover;\" block_context=\"nasa-block\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/flag-day-2024-11-us-flag-after-demo-2-mission-arrival-1.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/flag-day-2024-11-us-flag-after-demo-2-mission-arrival-1.jpg?resize=300,225 300w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/flag-day-2024-11-us-flag-after-demo-2-mission-arrival-1.jpg?resize=768,576 768w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/flag-day-2024-11-us-flag-after-demo-2-mission-arrival-1.jpg?resize=400,300 400w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/flag-day-2024-11-us-flag-after-demo-2-mission-arrival-1.jpg?resize=600,450 600w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/flag-day-2024-11-us-flag-after-demo-2-mission-arrival-1.jpg?resize=900,675 900w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" loading=\"eager\" \/><\/figure>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"padding-right-0 desktop:padding-right-10\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"subheading margin-bottom-1\">7 min read<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"margin-bottom-1\"><h3 class=\"related-article-title\">Flag Day 2024 \u2013 One Small Flag\u2019s Incredible Journey<\/h3><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"display-flex flex-align-center label related-article-label margin-bottom-1 color-carbon-60\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"display-flex flex-align-center margin-right-2\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg version=\"1.1\" class=\"square-2 margin-right-1\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" xmlns:xlink=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/1999\/xlink\" x=\"0px\" y=\"0px\" width=\"16px\" height=\"16px\" viewBox=\"0 0 16 16\" style=\"enable-background:new 0 0 16 16;\" xml:space=\"preserve\"><g><g><path d=\"M8,0C3.5,0-0.1,3.7,0,8.2C0.1,12.5,3.6,16,8,16c4.4,0,8-3.6,8-8C16,3.5,12.4,0,8,0z M8,15.2 C4,15.2,0.8,12,0.8,8C0.8,4,4,0.8,8,0.8c3.9,0,7.2,3.2,7.2,7.1C15.2,11.9,12,15.2,8,15.2z\"\/><path d=\"M5.6,12c0.8-0.8,1.6-1.6,2.4-2.4c0.8,0.8,1.6,1.6,2.4,2.4c0-2.7,0-5.3,0-8C8.8,4,7.2,4,5.6,4 C5.6,6.7,5.6,9.3,5.6,12z\"\/><\/g><\/g><\/svg>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span>Article<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t2 days ago\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"grid-col-12 desktop:grid-col-4 margin-bottom-4 desktop:margin-bottom-0 desktop:padding-right-3\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/history\/55-years-ago-manned-orbiting-laboratory-cancellation\/\" class=\"color-carbon-black\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"margin-bottom-2\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"hds-cover-wrapper cover-hover-zoom bg-carbon-black minh-mobile\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figure class=\"hds-media-background  \"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"300\" height=\"212\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/mol-cancellation-4-mol-group-1-astronauts.jpg?w=300\" class=\"attachment-medium size-medium\" alt=\"\" style=\"transform: scale(1); transform-origin: 50% 50%; object-position: 50% 50%; object-fit: cover;\" block_context=\"nasa-block\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/mol-cancellation-4-mol-group-1-astronauts.jpg 424w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/mol-cancellation-4-mol-group-1-astronauts.jpg?resize=300,212 300w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/mol-cancellation-4-mol-group-1-astronauts.jpg?resize=400,283 400w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/figure>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"padding-right-0 desktop:padding-right-10\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"subheading margin-bottom-1\">10 min read<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"margin-bottom-1\"><h3 class=\"related-article-title\">55 Years Ago: Manned Orbiting Laboratory Cancellation<\/h3><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"display-flex flex-align-center label related-article-label margin-bottom-1 color-carbon-60\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"display-flex flex-align-center margin-right-2\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg version=\"1.1\" class=\"square-2 margin-right-1\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" xmlns:xlink=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/1999\/xlink\" x=\"0px\" y=\"0px\" width=\"16px\" height=\"16px\" viewBox=\"0 0 16 16\" style=\"enable-background:new 0 0 16 16;\" xml:space=\"preserve\"><g><g><path d=\"M8,0C3.5,0-0.1,3.7,0,8.2C0.1,12.5,3.6,16,8,16c4.4,0,8-3.6,8-8C16,3.5,12.4,0,8,0z M8,15.2 C4,15.2,0.8,12,0.8,8C0.8,4,4,0.8,8,0.8c3.9,0,7.2,3.2,7.2,7.1C15.2,11.9,12,15.2,8,15.2z\"\/><path d=\"M5.6,12c0.8-0.8,1.6-1.6,2.4-2.4c0.8,0.8,1.6,1.6,2.4,2.4c0-2.7,0-5.3,0-8C8.8,4,7.2,4,5.6,4 C5.6,6.7,5.6,9.3,5.6,12z\"\/><\/g><\/g><\/svg>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span>Article<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t4 days ago\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"grid-col-12 desktop:grid-col-4 margin-bottom-4 desktop:margin-bottom-0 desktop:padding-right-3\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/history\/55-years-ago-star-trek-final-episode-airs-relationship-with-nasa-endures\/\" class=\"color-carbon-black\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"margin-bottom-2\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"hds-cover-wrapper cover-hover-zoom bg-carbon-black minh-mobile\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figure class=\"hds-media-background  \"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"300\" height=\"217\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/star-trek-final-episode-13-armstrong-at-doohan-farewell-anne-cusack-la-times-2004.jpg?w=300\" class=\"attachment-medium size-medium\" alt=\"\" style=\"transform: scale(1); transform-origin: 50% 50%; object-position: 50% 50%; object-fit: cover;\" block_context=\"nasa-block\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/star-trek-final-episode-13-armstrong-at-doohan-farewell-anne-cusack-la-times-2004.jpg 800w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/star-trek-final-episode-13-armstrong-at-doohan-farewell-anne-cusack-la-times-2004.jpg?resize=300,217 300w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/star-trek-final-episode-13-armstrong-at-doohan-farewell-anne-cusack-la-times-2004.jpg?resize=768,555 768w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/star-trek-final-episode-13-armstrong-at-doohan-farewell-anne-cusack-la-times-2004.jpg?resize=400,289 400w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/star-trek-final-episode-13-armstrong-at-doohan-farewell-anne-cusack-la-times-2004.jpg?resize=600,434 600w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/figure>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"padding-right-0 desktop:padding-right-10\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"subheading margin-bottom-1\">15 min read<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"margin-bottom-1\"><h3 class=\"related-article-title\">55 Years Ago: Star Trek Final Episode Airs, Relationship with NASA Endures<\/h3><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"display-flex flex-align-center label related-article-label margin-bottom-1 color-carbon-60\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"display-flex flex-align-center margin-right-2\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg version=\"1.1\" class=\"square-2 margin-right-1\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" xmlns:xlink=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/1999\/xlink\" x=\"0px\" y=\"0px\" width=\"16px\" height=\"16px\" viewBox=\"0 0 16 16\" style=\"enable-background:new 0 0 16 16;\" xml:space=\"preserve\"><g><g><path d=\"M8,0C3.5,0-0.1,3.7,0,8.2C0.1,12.5,3.6,16,8,16c4.4,0,8-3.6,8-8C16,3.5,12.4,0,8,0z M8,15.2 C4,15.2,0.8,12,0.8,8C0.8,4,4,0.8,8,0.8c3.9,0,7.2,3.2,7.2,7.1C15.2,11.9,12,15.2,8,15.2z\"\/><path d=\"M5.6,12c0.8-0.8,1.6-1.6,2.4-2.4c0.8,0.8,1.6,1.6,2.4,2.4c0-2.7,0-5.3,0-8C8.8,4,7.2,4,5.6,4 C5.6,6.7,5.6,9.3,5.6,12z\"\/><\/g><\/g><\/svg>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span>Article<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t2 weeks ago\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t<\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The primary goals of Project Gemini included proving the techniques required for the Apollo Program to fulfill President John F. Kennedy\u2019s goal of landing a man on the Moon and returning him safely to Earth before the end of the 1960s. Paramount among those techniques was rendezvous and docking, required to implement the Lunar Orbit […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":74,"featured_media":170455,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"nasa_hds_core_meta_l10n":"en-US","nasa_hds_core_meta_article_editor":"","nasa_hds_core_meta_article_contacts":[],"nasa_hds_core_meta_article_topic":"","nasa_hds_core_meta_linked_locations":[],"nasa_hds_core_meta_article_related_articles":[],"hds_migrate_meta_pr_release_id":"","hds_migrate_meta_pr_release_type":"","nasa_hds_core_meta_location_x":"","nasa_hds_core_meta_location_y":"","nasa_hds_core_meta_gallery_images":[],"footnotes":""},"categories":[2671,2716,2944,3752,3500],"news-tags":[],"internal-terms":[12664],"coauthors":[11996],"parsely":{"version":"1.1.0","meta":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@type":"NewsArticle","headline":"55 Years Ago: Gemini X Soars to New Heights","url":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/history\/55-years-ago-gemini-x-soars-to-new-heights\/","mainEntityOfPage":{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/history\/55-years-ago-gemini-x-soars-to-new-heights\/"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/gemini_x_15_young_collins_on_carrier_deck_gt10-277-noid-7.21.66.jpg?w=150&h=150&crop=1","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","url":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/gemini_x_15_young_collins_on_carrier_deck_gt10-277-noid-7.21.66.jpg"},"articleSection":"NASA History","author":[{"@type":"Person","name":"John Uri"}],"creator":["John Uri"],"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"NASA","logo":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/themes\/nasa\/assets\/images\/nasa-logo.svg"},"keywords":["Humans in Space","Astronauts","Former Astronauts","Michael Collins","NASA History","Gemini","Gemini X","John W. Young"],"dateCreated":"2021-07-21T17:00:00Z","datePublished":"2021-07-21T17:00:00Z","dateModified":"2023-08-29T23:20:46Z"},"rendered":"<meta name=\"parsely-title\" content=\"55 Years Ago: Gemini X Soars to New Heights\" \/>\n<meta name=\"parsely-link\" content=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/history\/55-years-ago-gemini-x-soars-to-new-heights\/\" \/>\n<meta name=\"parsely-type\" content=\"post\" \/>\n<meta name=\"parsely-image-url\" content=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/gemini_x_15_young_collins_on_carrier_deck_gt10-277-noid-7.21.66.jpg?w=150&h=150&crop=1\" \/>\n<meta name=\"parsely-pub-date\" content=\"2021-07-21T17:00:00Z\" \/>\n<meta name=\"parsely-section\" content=\"NASA History\" \/>\n<meta name=\"parsely-tags\" content=\"Humans in Space,Astronauts,Former Astronauts,Michael Collins,NASA History,Gemini,Gemini X,John W. Young\" \/>\n<meta name=\"parsely-author\" content=\"John Uri\" \/>","tracker_url":"https:\/\/cdn.parsely.com\/keys\/nasa.gov\/p.js"},"read_time":8,"time_ago":"3 years","featured_image":{"id":170455,"file":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/gemini_x_15_young_collins_on_carrier_deck_gt10-277-noid-7.21.66.jpg","title":"gemini_x_15_young_collins_on_carrier_deck_gt10-277-noid-7.21.66","alt":"gemini_x_15_young_collins_on_carrier_deck","caption":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/168571"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/74"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=168571"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/168571\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":499542,"href":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/168571\/revisions\/499542"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/170455"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=168571"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=168571"},{"taxonomy":"news-tags","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/news-tags?post=168571"},{"taxonomy":"internal-terms","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/internal-terms?post=168571"},{"taxonomy":"author","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/coauthors?post=168571"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}