{"id":307798,"date":"2016-09-01T20:10:00","date_gmt":"2016-09-02T00:10:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/?migration=converted-node-390038"},"modified":"2023-09-08T16:00:31","modified_gmt":"2023-09-08T20:00:31","slug":"demanding-gemini-xi-mission-flies-on-top-of-the-world","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/missions\/gemini\/gemini-xi\/demanding-gemini-xi-mission-flies-on-top-of-the-world\/","title":{"rendered":"Demanding Gemini XI Mission Flies on Top of the World"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"\" class=\"hds-article-hero-header nasa-gb-align-full bg-carbon-90 width-full maxw-full color-mode-dark hds-module hds-module-full wp-block-nasa-blocks-article-hero-header\">\t\t<div class=\"hds-cover-wrapper width-full maxw-full minh-tablet grid-container minh-tablet flex-column padding-0\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"hds-foreground-wrapper display-flex flex-direction-column\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"grid-container grid-container-block margin-top-auto width-full maxw-desktop-lg padding-y-9 padding-x-3 desktop:padding-x-3 z-400\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"z-400 grid-col-12 tablet:grid-col-12 desktop:grid-col-7 z-400\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"margin-0\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"label color-spacesuit-white margin-bottom-2\">9 Min Read<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h1 class=\"heading-41 line-height-md color-spacesuit-white-important\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tDemanding Gemini XI Mission Flies on Top of the World\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/h1>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"grid-col-12 tablet:grid-col-12 desktop:grid-col-5\"><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"skrim-overlay skrim-left mobile-skrim-top z-200\"><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<figure class=\"hds-media-background  \"><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1920\" height=\"1920\" src=\"https:\/\/images-assets.nasa.gov\/image\/S66-54585\/S66-54585~large.jpg?w=1920&h=1920&fit=clip&crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint\" class=\"attachment-1536x1536 size-1536x1536\" alt=\"\" style=\"transform: scale(1.1); transform-origin: 46% 91%; object-position: 46% 91%; object-fit: cover;\" block_context=\"nasa-block\" srcset=\"https:\/\/images-assets.nasa.gov\/image\/S66-54585\/S66-54585~large.jpg?w=1920&h=1920&fit=crop&crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 1920w, https:\/\/images-assets.nasa.gov\/image\/S66-54585\/S66-54585~large.jpg?w=150&h=150&fit=crop&crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 150w, https:\/\/images-assets.nasa.gov\/image\/S66-54585\/S66-54585~large.jpg?w=300&h=300&fit=crop&crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 300w, https:\/\/images-assets.nasa.gov\/image\/S66-54585\/S66-54585~large.jpg?w=768&h=768&fit=crop&crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 768w, https:\/\/images-assets.nasa.gov\/image\/S66-54585\/S66-54585~large.jpg?w=1024&h=1024&fit=crop&crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 1024w, https:\/\/images-assets.nasa.gov\/image\/S66-54585\/S66-54585~large.jpg?w=1536&h=1536&fit=crop&crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 1536w, https:\/\/images-assets.nasa.gov\/image\/S66-54585\/S66-54585~large.jpg?w=50&h=50&fit=crop&crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 50w, https:\/\/images-assets.nasa.gov\/image\/S66-54585\/S66-54585~large.jpg?w=100&h=100&fit=crop&crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 100w, https:\/\/images-assets.nasa.gov\/image\/S66-54585\/S66-54585~large.jpg?w=200&h=200&fit=crop&crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 200w, https:\/\/images-assets.nasa.gov\/image\/S66-54585\/S66-54585~large.jpg?w=400&h=400&fit=crop&crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 400w, https:\/\/images-assets.nasa.gov\/image\/S66-54585\/S66-54585~large.jpg?w=600&h=600&fit=crop&crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 600w, https:\/\/images-assets.nasa.gov\/image\/S66-54585\/S66-54585~large.jpg?w=900&h=900&fit=crop&crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 900w, https:\/\/images-assets.nasa.gov\/image\/S66-54585\/S66-54585~large.jpg?w=1200&h=1200&fit=crop&crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 1200w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px\" loading=\"eager\" \/><\/figure>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"padding-y-3 padding-x-3\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"grid-container grid-container-block padding-x-0\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figcaption class=\"hds-caption maxw-mobile desktop:padding-x-3\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"hds-caption-text p-sm margin-0 color-carbon-30\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div><figcaption>The Agena Target Docking Vehicle at a distance of approximately 80 feet from the Gemini-11 spacecraft. This view was taken after the disconnect of the tether between the two vehicles.<\/figcaption><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"hds-credits color-spacesuit-white-important\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<span>Credits: <\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<span>NASA<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/figcaption>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n\n\n<p>\u201cI tell ya from up here the world is round. It is spectacular. It\u2019s fantastic,\u201d said Gemini XI command pilot Charles \u201cPete\u201d Conrad as he and pilot Dick Gordon looked down from their lofty vantage point. Their record-shattering altitude of 850 miles above the Earth was only one highlight of a demanding, three-day mission in September 1966.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The first rendezvous between two orbiting spacecraft occurred only nine months earlier. On each succeeding Gemini mission rendezvous had taken about four orbits \u2013 approximately six hours \u2014 to complete. But, when Apollo astronauts lift off from the moon, the lunar module was set to rendezvous with the command module on the first orbit. To advance NASA\u2019s capabilities and prove this was feasible, plans called for Conrad and Gordon to do just that \u2014 a \u201cdirect ascent\u201d or first-orbit \u2014 rendezvous with a separately launched Agena target vehicle.<\/p>\n\n\n<div id=\"\" class=\"hds-media hds-module wp-block-image\"><div class=\"margin-left-auto margin-right-auto nasa-block-align-inline\"><div class=\"hds-media-wrapper margin-left-auto margin-right-auto\"><figure class=\"hds-media-inner hds-cover-wrapper hds-media-ratio-none \"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/08\/2-s66-50772-a.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1641\" height=\"2016\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/08\/2-s66-50772-a.jpg?w=1641\" class=\"attachment-2048x2048 size-2048x2048\" alt=\"Gemini XI Crew\" 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\/2016\/08\/2-s66-50772-a.jpg 1641w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/08\/2-s66-50772-a.jpg?resize=244,300 244w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/08\/2-s66-50772-a.jpg?resize=768,944 768w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/08\/2-s66-50772-a.jpg?resize=834,1024 834w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/08\/2-s66-50772-a.jpg?resize=1250,1536 1250w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/08\/2-s66-50772-a.jpg?resize=326,400 326w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/08\/2-s66-50772-a.jpg?resize=488,600 488w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/08\/2-s66-50772-a.jpg?resize=733,900 733w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/08\/2-s66-50772-a.jpg?resize=977,1200 977w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/08\/2-s66-50772-a.jpg?resize=1628,2000 1628w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1641px) 100vw, 1641px\" \/><\/a><\/figure><figcaption class=\"hds-caption padding-y-2\"><div class=\"hds-caption-text p-sm margin-0\">Gemini XI pilot Dick Gordon, left, and command pilot Charles “Pete” Conrad pose at the mission simulator during training at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida on Sept. 7, 1966.<\/div><div class=\"hds-credits\">NASA<\/div><\/figcaption><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<p>\u201cThis will impose a much tighter launch window on the Gemini ground crews,\u201d said Merritt Preston, deputy director of Launch Operations at NASA\u2019s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. \u201cEssentially, we\u2019ll have to launch the Gemini space vehicle on an on-time basis. It will be a very short (launch) window.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Preston pointed out that several flights in the past had launched exactly on time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cThe teams have both the capability and the confidence to do the job,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In addition to the link-up with an Agena and using its engine to boost Gemini XI to a record altitude, the flight plan called for two spacewalks by Gordon, each lasting more than two hours. There also would be a demonstration of \u201cpassive attitude stabilization\u201d of the two spacecraft connected by a tether, creating artificial gravity by spinning the combination.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Conrad was a veteran of the eight-day Gemini V mission the previous year. A Naval aviator, he was a member of the agency\u2019s second group of astronauts. Conrad would go on to walk on the moon during Apollo 12 in 1969 and command the first Skylab mission in May and June 1973. A part of the third group of NASA astronauts, Gordon also was a Navy pilot making his first trip into space. He later would serve as command module pilot on Apollo 12.<\/p>\n\n\n<div id=\"\" class=\"hds-media hds-module wp-block-image\"><div class=\"margin-left-auto margin-right-auto nasa-block-align-inline\"><div class=\"hds-media-wrapper margin-left-auto margin-right-auto\"><figure class=\"hds-media-inner hds-cover-wrapper hds-media-ratio-none \"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/08\/3-66-hc-1476hr-4-a.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1274\" height=\"1221\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/08\/3-66-hc-1476hr-4-a.jpg?w=1274\" class=\"attachment-2048x2048 size-2048x2048\" alt=\"Gemini XI Liftoff\" 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\/2016\/08\/3-66-hc-1476hr-4-a.jpg 1274w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/08\/3-66-hc-1476hr-4-a.jpg?resize=300,288 300w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/08\/3-66-hc-1476hr-4-a.jpg?resize=768,736 768w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/08\/3-66-hc-1476hr-4-a.jpg?resize=1024,981 1024w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/08\/3-66-hc-1476hr-4-a.jpg?resize=400,383 400w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/08\/3-66-hc-1476hr-4-a.jpg?resize=600,575 600w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/08\/3-66-hc-1476hr-4-a.jpg?resize=900,863 900w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/08\/3-66-hc-1476hr-4-a.jpg?resize=1200,1150 1200w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1274px) 100vw, 1274px\" \/><\/a><\/figure><figcaption class=\"hds-caption padding-y-2\"><div class=\"hds-caption-text p-sm margin-0\">Gemini XI lifts off from Cape Kennedy Air Force station’s Launch Complex 19 on Sept. 12, 1966. Charles “Pete” Conrad and Dick Gordon were on their way to a three-day mission in Earth orbit. In the background is an Apollo Saturn V on Launch Complex 39A at the Kennedy Space Center.<\/div><div class=\"hds-credits\">NASA<\/div><\/figcaption><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<p>On Sept. 12, 1966, the Agena was boosted to orbit on an Atlas rocket from Launch Complex 14 at Cape Kennedy (now Cape Canaveral) Air Force Station in Florida. Precisely on time, one hour and 37 minutes later, Conrad and Gordon lifted off in their Gemini atop a Titan II rocket from Launch Complex 19 at the Cape.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Preston, who also served as Gemini deputy mission director, hailed the NASA-industry team for their achievement at Cape Kennedy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cLaunching the Atlas-Agena target vehicle within the desired time and then meeting a two-second launch window with Gemini presented one of the most difficult assignments for launch crews,\u201d he said. \u201cThe fact that both windows were met, making possible a successful rendezvous in the first revolution, is a tribute to the outstanding work of the checkout and launch teams.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Maneuvers for Gemini to catch up with Agena began quickly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>As Gemini XI passed over the tracking station at Tananarive (now Antananarivo), Madagascar, off the east coast of Africa, Conrad reported the Agena was in sight about 75 miles away.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>By the time Gemini XI was approaching the Hawaiian Islands, Conrad said they were about eight miles away with the Agena gleaming in the sunlight.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cHe sure is bright, isn\u2019t he,\u201d said Gordon in reference to the reflection.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>By the time Gemini XI was coming up on the coast of California, Gordon told fellow astronaut John Young that they were flying in formation and ready to dock. Young was serving as capsule communicator, known as capcom, in Mission Control at the Manned Spacecraft Center (now Johnson Space Center) in Houston, Texas,<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cYou\u2019re go for docking,\u201d said Young.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cJohn, we are docked,\u201d Conrad said, a mere one hour and 34 minutes after launch.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The first of Gordon\u2019s two spacewalks began about 24 hours after liftoff. His task was to fasten a 100-foot tether on the Agena to the Gemini spacecraft for the \u201cpassive attitude stabilization\u201d experiment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cIt\u2019s a beautiful day,\u201d he said as he floated out of the hatch.<\/p>\n\n\n<div id=\"\" class=\"hds-media hds-module wp-block-image\"><div class=\"margin-left-auto margin-right-auto nasa-block-align-inline\"><div class=\"hds-media-wrapper margin-left-auto margin-right-auto\"><figure class=\"hds-media-inner hds-cover-wrapper hds-media-ratio-none \"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/08\/4-s66-54565.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2048\" height=\"2039\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/08\/4-s66-54565.jpg?w=2048\" class=\"attachment-2048x2048 size-2048x2048\" alt=\"Gemini XI docked with its Agena\" 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\/2016\/08\/4-s66-54565.jpg 4104w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/08\/4-s66-54565.jpg?resize=150,150 150w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/08\/4-s66-54565.jpg?resize=300,300 300w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/08\/4-s66-54565.jpg?resize=768,765 768w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/08\/4-s66-54565.jpg?resize=1024,1020 1024w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/08\/4-s66-54565.jpg?resize=1536,1529 1536w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/08\/4-s66-54565.jpg?resize=2048,2039 2048w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/08\/4-s66-54565.jpg?resize=50,50 50w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/08\/4-s66-54565.jpg?resize=100,100 100w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/08\/4-s66-54565.jpg?resize=200,200 200w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/08\/4-s66-54565.jpg?resize=400,398 400w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/08\/4-s66-54565.jpg?resize=600,597 600w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/08\/4-s66-54565.jpg?resize=900,896 900w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/08\/4-s66-54565.jpg?resize=1200,1195 1200w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/08\/4-s66-54565.jpg?resize=2000,1991 2000w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 2048px) 100vw, 2048px\" \/><\/a><\/figure><figcaption class=\"hds-caption padding-y-2\"><div class=\"hds-caption-text p-sm margin-0\">After a first orbit rendezvous, Gemini XI is docked with its Agena. The target vehicle’s antenna is seen extending upwards. Docking was achieved a mere one hour and 34 minutes after liftoff.<\/div><div class=\"hds-credits\">NASA\/Dick Gordon<\/div><\/figcaption><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<p>Gordon removed the tether stored in the Agena\u2019s docking collar, attaching it to the Gemini\u2019s nose-mounted docking bar. To give himself an opportunity to work with both hands, he sat astride the spacecraft\u2019s nose.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cRide \u2019em, cowboy,\u201d said Conrad, encouraging his counterpart.<\/p>\n\n\n<div id=\"\" class=\"hds-media hds-module wp-block-image\"><div class=\"margin-left-auto margin-right-auto nasa-block-align-inline\"><div class=\"hds-media-wrapper margin-left-auto margin-right-auto\"><figure class=\"hds-media-inner hds-cover-wrapper hds-media-ratio-none \"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/08\/5-s66-54455-d.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2048\" height=\"1640\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/08\/5-s66-54455-d.jpg?w=2048\" class=\"attachment-2048x2048 size-2048x2048\" 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\/2016\/08\/5-s66-54455-d.jpg 3332w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/08\/5-s66-54455-d.jpg?resize=300,240 300w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/08\/5-s66-54455-d.jpg?resize=768,615 768w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/08\/5-s66-54455-d.jpg?resize=1024,820 1024w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/08\/5-s66-54455-d.jpg?resize=1536,1230 1536w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/08\/5-s66-54455-d.jpg?resize=2048,1640 2048w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/08\/5-s66-54455-d.jpg?resize=400,320 400w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/08\/5-s66-54455-d.jpg?resize=600,481 600w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/08\/5-s66-54455-d.jpg?resize=900,721 900w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/08\/5-s66-54455-d.jpg?resize=1200,961 1200w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/08\/5-s66-54455-d.jpg?resize=2000,1602 2000w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 2048px) 100vw, 2048px\" \/><\/a><\/figure><figcaption class=\"hds-caption padding-y-2\"><div class=\"hds-caption-text p-sm margin-0\">“Ride ’em cowboy,” said Gemini XI command pilot Charles “Pete” Conrad as pilot Dick Gordon attaches a tether from the Agena target vehicle to his spacecraft. This view was taken on Sept. 13, 1966, over the Atlantic Ocean at approximately 160 miles above Earth. The tether was later used in an experiment to test the feasibility of creating artificial gravity.<\/div><div class=\"hds-credits\">NASA<\/div><\/figcaption><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<p>However, Gordon soon ran into problems similar to those encountered by Gene Cernan on Gemini IX and Mike Collins on Gemini X.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The task of attaching the tether was easy during training aboard the KC-135 aircraft which flew parabolas to create brief periods of weightlessness.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>But working through extended periods without handholds proved far more difficult as Gordon tended to float away from his work making simple tasks more challenging.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Conrad asked, \u201cHow are you doing?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cTired, Pete,\u201d said Gordon.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cAll right,\u201d Conrad said. \u201cJust rest. You\u2019ve got plenty of time.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n<div id=\"\" class=\"hds-media hds-module wp-block-image\"><div class=\"margin-left-auto margin-right-auto nasa-block-align-inline\"><div class=\"hds-media-wrapper margin-left-auto margin-right-auto\"><figure class=\"hds-media-inner hds-cover-wrapper hds-media-ratio-none \"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/image-article\/sept-14-1966-view-from-gemini-xi-850-miles-above-earth\/\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1041\" height=\"785\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/7-s66-54706-b.jpg?w=1041\" class=\"attachment-2048x2048 size-2048x2048\" alt=\"Australia from 850 miles\" 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\/2023\/03\/7-s66-54706-b.jpg 1041w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/7-s66-54706-b.jpg?resize=300,226 300w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/7-s66-54706-b.jpg?resize=768,579 768w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/7-s66-54706-b.jpg?resize=1024,772 1024w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/7-s66-54706-b.jpg?resize=400,302 400w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/7-s66-54706-b.jpg?resize=600,452 600w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/7-s66-54706-b.jpg?resize=900,679 900w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1041px) 100vw, 1041px\" \/><\/a><\/figure><figcaption class=\"hds-caption padding-y-2\"><div class=\"hds-caption-text p-sm margin-0\">“We have the whole southern part of the world out one window,” Conrad said. “Utterly fantastic.” The western half of Australia, looking west, as seen from the Gemini XI spacecraft, 850 miles above the Earth on Sept. 14, 1966.<\/div><div class=\"hds-credits\">NASA\/Dick Gordon<\/div><\/figcaption><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<p>Several minutes into the spacewalk, Conrad reported to Mission Control that Gordon had the tether tightened on the Gemini\u2019s docking bar, but \u201che\u2019s breathing pretty hard.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Due to the exertion, sweat was getting into one of Gordon\u2019s eyes. Even though he rested for a few minutes, the sweat would not evaporate. Conrad decided to cancel an experiment with a power tool and end the spacewalk after only 33 minutes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cDick got so much sweat in his right eye that he couldn\u2019t see any more,\u201d Conrad said. \u201cI didn\u2019t want him to get any hotter doing any more work back there with the possibility of not being able to see out of the other one. So I called him in.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n<div id=\"\" class=\"hds-media hds-module wp-block-image\"><div class=\"margin-left-auto margin-right-auto nasa-block-align-inline\"><div class=\"hds-media-wrapper margin-left-auto margin-right-auto\"><figure class=\"hds-media-inner hds-cover-wrapper hds-media-ratio-none \"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/08\/8-s66-54653_g11-s_f-3.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2048\" height=\"1667\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/08\/8-s66-54653_g11-s_f-3.jpg?w=2048\" class=\"attachment-2048x2048 size-2048x2048\" alt=\"Dick Gordon stands in the open spacecraft hatch\" 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\/2016\/08\/8-s66-54653_g11-s_f-3.jpg 2755w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/08\/8-s66-54653_g11-s_f-3.jpg?resize=300,244 300w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/08\/8-s66-54653_g11-s_f-3.jpg?resize=768,625 768w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/08\/8-s66-54653_g11-s_f-3.jpg?resize=1024,834 1024w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/08\/8-s66-54653_g11-s_f-3.jpg?resize=1536,1251 1536w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/08\/8-s66-54653_g11-s_f-3.jpg?resize=2048,1667 2048w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/08\/8-s66-54653_g11-s_f-3.jpg?resize=400,326 400w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/08\/8-s66-54653_g11-s_f-3.jpg?resize=600,488 600w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/08\/8-s66-54653_g11-s_f-3.jpg?resize=900,733 900w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/08\/8-s66-54653_g11-s_f-3.jpg?resize=1200,977 1200w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/08\/8-s66-54653_g11-s_f-3.jpg?resize=2000,1628 2000w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 2048px) 100vw, 2048px\" \/><\/a><\/figure><figcaption class=\"hds-caption padding-y-2\"><div class=\"hds-caption-text p-sm margin-0\">Astronaut Dick Gordon stands in the open spacecraft hatch during the Gemini XI mission.<\/div><div class=\"hds-credits\">NASA\/Pete Conrad<\/div><\/figcaption><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<p>The next task was a firing of the Agena\u2019s 15,960-pound-thrust primary propulsion system (PPS) engine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cGemini XI, you have a go for the PPS burn,\u201d said the capcom at the Canary Islands tracking station off the northwest coast of Africa.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>For 26 seconds the Agena engine fired, boosting Gemini XI to 850 miles above the Earth, breaking the 475-mile altitude record set in July 1966 by Gemini X.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cWhoop-dee-do,\u201d Conrad exclaimed as the Agena engine shut down.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Gordon was equally excited in his remarks to capcom Young, who had been command pilot on Gemini X.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cI agree with you, John,\u201d Gordon said, \u201criding that PPS is the biggest thrill we\u2019ve had all day.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>For the next three-and-a-half hours Conrad and Gordon described the view from this unprecedented vantage point.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cIt r<em>e<\/em>ally is blue,\u201d Conrad said. \u201cThat water really stands out and everything looks blue. Obviously, the curvature of the Earth stands out a lot.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cSounds like you\u2019re really way up there,\u201d Young responded from Mission Control.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>As Gemini XI continued on its 26th orbit, Conrad and Gordon reached the 850-mile apogee over the southern hemisphere.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cWe\u2019re looking straight down over Australia now,\u201d Conrad said. \u201cWe have the whole southern part of the world out one window. Utterly fantastic.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>After a little more than two orbits at the higher altitude, the Agena PPS engine was fired again, lowering their orbit to 188 miles.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>On flight day three, Gordon was slated to perform another spacewalk. Actually, it was more of a \u201cspace stand-up.\u201d He positioned himself in the open hatch, standing on the spacecraft floor for two hours and eight minutes to photograph the Earth, clouds and stars. During that time, Conrad was maneuvering the spacecraft, pointing Gordon and his camera in the desired direction.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Shortly after the stand-up spacewalk, it was time to undock from the Agena and try out the \u201cpassive attitude stabilization\u201d experiment.<\/p>\n\n\n<div id=\"\" class=\"hds-media hds-module wp-block-image\"><div class=\"margin-left-auto margin-right-auto nasa-block-align-inline\"><div class=\"hds-media-wrapper margin-left-auto margin-right-auto\"><figure class=\"hds-media-inner hds-cover-wrapper hds-media-ratio-none \"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/image-article\/sept-14-1966-gemini-xi-artificial-gravity-experiment\/\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1041\" height=\"730\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/9-s66-54810a.jpg?w=1041\" class=\"attachment-2048x2048 size-2048x2048\" alt=\"Artificial gravity experiment\" 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\/2023\/03\/9-s66-54810a.jpg 1041w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/9-s66-54810a.jpg?resize=300,210 300w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/9-s66-54810a.jpg?resize=768,539 768w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/9-s66-54810a.jpg?resize=1024,718 1024w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/9-s66-54810a.jpg?resize=400,280 400w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/9-s66-54810a.jpg?resize=600,421 600w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/9-s66-54810a.jpg?resize=900,631 900w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1041px) 100vw, 1041px\" \/><\/a><\/figure><figcaption class=\"hds-caption padding-y-2\"><div class=\"hds-caption-text p-sm margin-0\">On Sept. 14, 1966, Gemini XI is tethered to the Agena. Conrad and Gordon are maneuvering their craft to keep the tether taut between the two. By firing their side thrusters to slowly rotate the combined spacecraft, they were able to use centrifugal force to generate about 0.00015 g of artificial gravity.<\/div><div class=\"hds-credits\">NASA\/Dick Gordon<\/div><\/figcaption><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<p>\u201cWe\u2019re going to hate to leave this Agena,\u201d said Gordon as they undocked from their rendezvous target over Hawaii. \u201cIt\u2019s been kind to us.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Gemini XI separated from the Agena with their spacecraft pointed nose-down toward the Earth. Conrad and Gordon maneuvered their craft to keep the tether taut between both. By firing their side thrusters to slowly rotate the combined spacecraft, they were able to use centrifugal force to generate about 0.00015 <em>g<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cThere is an artificial gravity field,\u201d Gordon said. \u201cIt makes the camera move back very rapidly.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The tether was released following two orbits of the artificial gravity experiment, allowing Gemini and Agena to go their separate ways.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The following day, Sept. 15, 1966, Gemini XI would become the first U.S. spacecraft to demonstrate a computer-controlled landing. Gemini XI\u2019s retro rockets were automatically fired on the 44th orbit with the onboard computer performing the needed re-entry maneuvers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The command pilots of earlier Gemini flights took the controls at about 75 miles up, using the spacecraft\u2019s offset center of gravity to generate lift for changes in direction. For Gemini XI, the spacecraft automatically followed the computer commands.<\/p>\n\n\n<div id=\"\" class=\"hds-media hds-module wp-block-image\"><div class=\"margin-left-auto margin-right-auto nasa-block-align-inline\"><div class=\"hds-media-wrapper margin-left-auto margin-right-auto\"><figure class=\"hds-media-inner hds-cover-wrapper hds-media-ratio-none \"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/08\/10-s66-50767a.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2048\" height=\"1493\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/08\/10-s66-50767a.jpg?w=2048\" class=\"attachment-2048x2048 size-2048x2048\" alt=\"Gemini XI recovery\" 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\/2016\/08\/10-s66-50767a.jpg 5719w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/08\/10-s66-50767a.jpg?resize=300,219 300w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/08\/10-s66-50767a.jpg?resize=768,560 768w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/08\/10-s66-50767a.jpg?resize=1024,747 1024w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/08\/10-s66-50767a.jpg?resize=1536,1120 1536w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/08\/10-s66-50767a.jpg?resize=2048,1493 2048w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/08\/10-s66-50767a.jpg?resize=400,292 400w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/08\/10-s66-50767a.jpg?resize=600,437 600w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/08\/10-s66-50767a.jpg?resize=900,656 900w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/08\/10-s66-50767a.jpg?resize=1200,875 1200w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/08\/10-s66-50767a.jpg?resize=2000,1458 2000w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 2048px) 100vw, 2048px\" \/><\/a><\/figure><figcaption class=\"hds-caption padding-y-2\"><div class=\"hds-caption-text p-sm margin-0\">Charles “Pete” Conrad climbs from Gemini XI minutes after splashdown. Following a computer-controlled re-entry on Sept. 15, 1966, the spacecraft landed only 1.5 miles from the planned position in the Atlantic Ocean. A helicopter from the USS Guam picked up Conrad and Dick Gordon, taking the astronauts to the recovery ship.<\/div><div class=\"hds-credits\">NASA<\/div><\/figcaption><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<p>It worked well, with Gemini XI splashing down only 1.5 miles from the planned position in the Atlantic Ocean near its recovery ship, the USS Guam.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>As NASA officials looked ahead to the final mission before the start of Apollo, spacewalking \u2014 also known in the agency\u2019s vernacular as extravehicular activity \u2014 remained an unconquered challenge.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>After Gemini XI, Manned Spacecraft Center Director Robert Gilruth stated, \u201cExtravehicular activity (is) a primary objective of Gemini XII.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:58px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p><em>By Bob Granath<\/em><br>\n<em>NASA\u2019s Kennedy Space Center, Florida<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><em>EDITOR\u2019S NOTE: This is the eighth in a series of feature articles marking the 50th anniversary of Project Gemini. The program was designed as a steppingstone toward landing on the moon. The investment also provided technology now used in NASA\u2019s work aboard the International Space Station and planning for the Journey to Mars. In November, read about solving the problems with spacewalking. For more, see \u201c<\/em><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/sp-4203.pdf?emrc=16dfd1\" data-type=\"attachment\" data-id=\"214547\"><em>On the Shoulders of Titans: A History of Project Gemini<\/em><\/a><em>.\u201c<\/em><\/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=Demanding%20Gemini%20XI%20Mission%20Flies%20on%20Top%20of%20the%20World&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.nasa.gov%2Fmissions%2Fgemini%2Fgemini-xi%2Fdemanding-gemini-xi-mission-flies-on-top-of-the-world%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 79.6944H306.615L611.412 515.685L658.88 583.579L1055.08 1150.3H892.476L569.165 687.854V687.828Z\" fill=\"white\"\/><\/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-facebook\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.nasa.gov%2Fmissions%2Fgemini%2Fgemini-xi%2Fdemanding-gemini-xi-mission-flies-on-top-of-the-world%2F\" aria-label=\"Share on Facebook.\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><path d=\"M9 8h-3v4h3v12h5v-12h3.642l.358-4h-4v-1.667c0-.955.192-1.333 1.115-1.333h2.885v-5h-3.808c-3.596 0-5.192 1.583-5.192 4.615v3.385z\"\/><\/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-linkedin\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.nasa.gov%2Fmissions%2Fgemini%2Fgemini-xi%2Fdemanding-gemini-xi-mission-flies-on-top-of-the-world%2F\" aria-label=\"Share on LinkedIn.\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" 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\">Sep 08, 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\/mission\/gemini-xi\/\">Gemini XI<\/a><\/li><li class=\"article-tag\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/humans-in-space\/astronauts\/former-astronauts\/charles-conrad-jr\/\">Charles Conrad Jr.<\/a><\/li><li class=\"article-tag\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/humans-in-space\/astronauts\/former-astronauts\/richard-f-gordon-jr\/\">Richard F. Gordon Jr.<\/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\/50-years-ago-skylab-2-astronauts-deploy-jammed-solar-array-during-spacewalk\/\" 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=\"1920\" height=\"1300\" src=\"https:\/\/images-assets.nasa.gov\/image\/sl2-100-799\/sl2-100-799~large.jpg?w=1920&h=1300&fit=clip&crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint\" 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:\/\/images-assets.nasa.gov\/image\/sl2-100-799\/sl2-100-799~large.jpg?w=1920&h=1300&fit=crop&crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 1920w, https:\/\/images-assets.nasa.gov\/image\/sl2-100-799\/sl2-100-799~large.jpg?w=300&h=203&fit=crop&crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 300w, https:\/\/images-assets.nasa.gov\/image\/sl2-100-799\/sl2-100-799~large.jpg?w=768&h=520&fit=crop&crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 768w, https:\/\/images-assets.nasa.gov\/image\/sl2-100-799\/sl2-100-799~large.jpg?w=1024&h=693&fit=crop&crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 1024w, https:\/\/images-assets.nasa.gov\/image\/sl2-100-799\/sl2-100-799~large.jpg?w=1536&h=1040&fit=crop&crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 1536w, https:\/\/images-assets.nasa.gov\/image\/sl2-100-799\/sl2-100-799~large.jpg?w=400&h=271&fit=crop&crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 400w, https:\/\/images-assets.nasa.gov\/image\/sl2-100-799\/sl2-100-799~large.jpg?w=600&h=406&fit=crop&crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 600w, https:\/\/images-assets.nasa.gov\/image\/sl2-100-799\/sl2-100-799~large.jpg?w=900&h=609&fit=crop&crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 900w, https:\/\/images-assets.nasa.gov\/image\/sl2-100-799\/sl2-100-799~large.jpg?w=1200&h=813&fit=crop&crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 1200w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px\" \/><\/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\">5 min read<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"margin-bottom-1\"><h3 class=\"related-article-title\">50 Years Ago: Skylab 2 Astronauts Deploy Jammed Solar Array During Spacewalk<\/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\t1 year 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-gemini-xi-achieves-one-orbit-rendezvous-record-altitude\/\" 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=\"238\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/gemini_xi_1_crew_photo_s65-58504.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\/2021\/09\/gemini_xi_1_crew_photo_s65-58504.jpg 985w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/gemini_xi_1_crew_photo_s65-58504.jpg?resize=300,238 300w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/gemini_xi_1_crew_photo_s65-58504.jpg?resize=768,609 768w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/gemini_xi_1_crew_photo_s65-58504.jpg?resize=400,317 400w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/gemini_xi_1_crew_photo_s65-58504.jpg?resize=600,476 600w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/gemini_xi_1_crew_photo_s65-58504.jpg?resize=900,714 900w\" 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: Gemini XI Achieves One-Orbit Rendezvous, Record Altitude<\/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\t3 years 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\/skylab-2-we-can-fix-anything\/\" 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=\"1920\" height=\"1501\" src=\"https:\/\/images-assets.nasa.gov\/image\/S73-24303\/S73-24303~large.jpg?w=1920&h=1501&fit=clip&crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint\" 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:\/\/images-assets.nasa.gov\/image\/S73-24303\/S73-24303~large.jpg?w=1920&h=1501&fit=crop&crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 1920w, https:\/\/images-assets.nasa.gov\/image\/S73-24303\/S73-24303~large.jpg?w=300&h=235&fit=crop&crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 300w, https:\/\/images-assets.nasa.gov\/image\/S73-24303\/S73-24303~large.jpg?w=768&h=600&fit=crop&crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 768w, https:\/\/images-assets.nasa.gov\/image\/S73-24303\/S73-24303~large.jpg?w=1024&h=801&fit=crop&crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 1024w, https:\/\/images-assets.nasa.gov\/image\/S73-24303\/S73-24303~large.jpg?w=1536&h=1201&fit=crop&crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 1536w, https:\/\/images-assets.nasa.gov\/image\/S73-24303\/S73-24303~large.jpg?w=400&h=313&fit=crop&crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 400w, https:\/\/images-assets.nasa.gov\/image\/S73-24303\/S73-24303~large.jpg?w=600&h=469&fit=crop&crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 600w, https:\/\/images-assets.nasa.gov\/image\/S73-24303\/S73-24303~large.jpg?w=900&h=704&fit=crop&crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 900w, https:\/\/images-assets.nasa.gov\/image\/S73-24303\/S73-24303~large.jpg?w=1200&h=938&fit=crop&crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 1200w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px\" \/><\/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\">4 min read<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"margin-bottom-1\"><h3 class=\"related-article-title\">Skylab 2:  \u201cWe can fix anything!\u201d<\/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\t6 years 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>\u201cI tell ya from up here the world is round. It is spectacular. It\u2019s fantastic,\u201d said Gemini XI command pilot Charles \u201cPete\u201d Conrad as he and pilot Dick Gordon looked down from their lofty vantage point. Their record-shattering altitude of 850 miles above the Earth was only one highlight of a demanding, three-day mission in […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":9,"featured_media":294295,"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":[2951,3501,3550],"news-tags":[],"internal-terms":[5037,12663],"coauthors":[11560],"parsely":{"version":"1.1.0","meta":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@type":"NewsArticle","headline":"Demanding Gemini XI Mission Flies on Top of the World","url":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/missions\/gemini\/gemini-xi\/demanding-gemini-xi-mission-flies-on-top-of-the-world\/","mainEntityOfPage":{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/missions\/gemini\/gemini-xi\/demanding-gemini-xi-mission-flies-on-top-of-the-world\/"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/images-assets.nasa.gov\/image\/S66-50772\/S66-50772~large.jpg?w=1276&h=1920&fit=clip&crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","url":"https:\/\/images-assets.nasa.gov\/image\/S66-50772\/S66-50772~large.jpg?w=1276&h=1920&fit=clip&crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint"},"articleSection":"Missions","author":[{"@type":"Person","name":"Bob Granath"}],"creator":["Bob Granath"],"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","Richard F. Gordon Jr.","Gemini XI","Charles Conrad Jr."],"dateCreated":"2016-09-02T00:10:00Z","datePublished":"2016-09-02T00:10:00Z","dateModified":"2023-09-08T20:00:31Z"},"rendered":"<meta name=\"parsely-title\" content=\"Demanding Gemini XI Mission Flies on Top of the World\" \/>\n<meta name=\"parsely-link\" content=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/missions\/gemini\/gemini-xi\/demanding-gemini-xi-mission-flies-on-top-of-the-world\/\" \/>\n<meta name=\"parsely-type\" content=\"post\" \/>\n<meta name=\"parsely-image-url\" content=\"https:\/\/images-assets.nasa.gov\/image\/S66-50772\/S66-50772~large.jpg?w=1276&h=1920&fit=clip&crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint\" \/>\n<meta name=\"parsely-pub-date\" content=\"2016-09-02T00:10:00Z\" \/>\n<meta name=\"parsely-section\" content=\"Missions\" \/>\n<meta name=\"parsely-tags\" content=\"Humans in Space,Astronauts,Former Astronauts,Richard F. Gordon Jr.,Gemini XI,Charles Conrad Jr.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"parsely-author\" content=\"Bob Granath\" \/>","tracker_url":"https:\/\/cdn.parsely.com\/keys\/nasa.gov\/p.js"},"read_time":9,"time_ago":"8 years","featured_image":{"id":294295,"file":"https:\/\/images-assets.nasa.gov\/image\/S66-50772\/S66-50772~large.jpg","title":"Portrait – Gemini 11 – Prime and Backup Crews","alt":"The 4 astronauts making up the prime and backup crews for Gemini-Titan 11 pose together for a portrait.","caption":"S66-50772 (7 Sept. 1966) --- The Gemini-Titan XI (GT-11) prime and backup crews pose for a group portrait. Seated is the prime crew, astronauts Charles Conrad Jr. (right), command pilot, and Richard F. Gordon Jr. (left), pilot. The backup crew (standing) is astronauts Neil A. Armstrong (right), command pilot, and William A. Anders (left), pilot. The two crews were suited up for a simulation test at the Kennedy Space Center. Photo credit: NASA"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/307798"}],"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\/9"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=307798"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/307798\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":504905,"href":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/307798\/revisions\/504905"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/294295"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=307798"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=307798"},{"taxonomy":"news-tags","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/news-tags?post=307798"},{"taxonomy":"internal-terms","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/internal-terms?post=307798"},{"taxonomy":"author","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/coauthors?post=307798"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}