  83. This photo of Gemini 7 was taken through the hatch window of the Gemini 6 spacecraft during rendezvous maneuvers 260 kilometers (160 miles) above Earth. Gemini 7 was launched on December 4, 1965, carrying astronauts Frank Borman and James Lovell, Jr., into a two-week flight. Gemini 6 and 7 accomplished the first manned rendezvous in space. It was an historic flight for the United States’ manned space program and an important step in the preparation for the Apollo lunar flights. The story of the Gemini 7/6 mission had begun two months earlier. The October launch of Gemini 6 had to be delayed when Gemini 6’s Agena target vehicle failed to reach orbit. It was then decided that Gemini 6 would attempt to rendezvous with Gemini 7. Eight days after the launch of Gemini 7, Gemini 6 was ready. But once again, the launch had to be delayed—this time an electrical plug became detached from the Titan booster prematurely, shutting down the engines. Finally, on December 15, Gemini 6’s Titan II launch vehicle lifted off. Gemini 6 began a 6-hour chase to catch Gemini 7, which was in a near-circular orbit 300 kilometers (186 miles) high. Gemini 6’s launch put it 1175 kilometers (730 miles) behind Gemini 7 in an orbit which varied from 161 to 272 kilometers (100 to 169 miles) in height. By flying in a lower altitude orbit, Gemini 6 astronauts Wally Schirra and Thomas Stafford circled the Earth at a higher velocity, slowing down as they moved to match speed with Gemini 7 at the higher orbit. Finally, Schirra jockeyed the Gemini 6 spacecraft to within 30 centimeters (1 foot) from Gemini 7. They stayed in formation for four revolutions while all four pilots practiced maneuvering. Then Gemini 6 broke off and reentered, splashing down on December 16, 1965. Gemini 7 went on to complete its 14-day mission which set a record for the longest U.S.-manned space flight which stood until the first Skylab mission. Gemini 7 splashed down on December 18. Prime contractor for Gemini was the McDonnell Aircraft Company. Gemini 7 is from the National Aeronautics and Space Administration. 84. The Gemini spacecraft.
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