Echoes Among the Stars: The Original Website
The First Era in Space, 1957-1975
Gemini 6
December 15 - December 16, 1965
Good Instincts
Calling upon their collective instinct and courage, Tom Stafford (l.) and Wally Schirra (r.) averted a potential tragedy during an attempted Gemini 6 launch on December 12, 1965. The astronauts made a split-second decision to not eject from their capsule despite a warning from their onboard computer; upon later inspection, the warning proved to be false. NASA photo.
Pursuing a Rendezvous in Space
Designed to test rendezvous procedures, the Gemini 6 mission suffered a setback when the target rocket that Schirra and Stafford were to meet blew up shortly after it lifted off on October 25. Delayed but not defeated, Gemini 6 finally launched on December 15, 1965 (as seen here), and made its rendezvous with the Gemini 7 capsule instead. NASA photo.
Three Steps Into Space
The Mercury (top), Gemini (l.), and Apollo (r.) spacecraft each represented a major leap forward in technology for the U.S. space program. NASA photo.
