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The first manned Gemini mission (Gemini 3) took off on March 23, 1965. It was a successful test of the design and lasted just four hours. The first full-time Gemini mission was launched on June 3, 1965, and returned safely four days later. Its highlight was the first space-walk ever. James McDivitt left the capsule for 22 minutes tied to a tether.
The goal of a two week space flight was accomplished by Gemini VII from December 4-18, 1965. The mission solved many problems of long-duration space flight. It included studies of nutrition in space and proved that even longer trips to space do not pose a threat to the astronaut's health. The Gemini VII pilots also managed to rendezvous with an Agena for the first time.
The most exciting Gemini mission was undoubtedly Gemini VIII that took off on March 16, 1966. Its objective was to achieve the first docking maneuver ever. The pilot Neil Armstrong approached the Agena carefully and managed to dock. The successful action was almost followed by a catastrophe. While docked to the Agena the Gemini capsule began rolling over. A thruster was stuck and could not be deactivated. The crew undocked immediately and the capsule began rotating even faster, at the rate of one revolution per second. In order to stop the motion the astronauts had to use their reentry thrusters. They used up much of their fuel so that an emergency landing had to be made as soon as possible. 10 hours after launch Gemini VIII was already back on Earth.
The last Gemini mission was launched on November 11, 1966. By then all the goals of the Gemini project had been accomplished. Space-walks and complicated maneuvers such as rendezvous and docking procedures had become routine. Fears about the risks to health had been eliminated. The final objective of Gemini (smoothing the reentry) has been completed when the board computer controlled the reentry. Now it was time to tackle the next mission: the flight to the Moon.
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