Video: 'This Day in Space History | Launch of Gemini VII | December 4, 1965'

(Saturday, December 4, 1965, 19:30:03 UTC) — Gemini 7 streaked into orbit this afternoon as Astronauts Frank Borman and James A. Lovell Jr. began what is planned as the nation’s longest manned space flight to date.

The spacecraft lifted off from Launch Complex 19 at 2:30 p.m. EST The two-man crew will spend roughly two weeks aloft while scientists study the effects of long-duration space travel on the human body — a key step toward future lunar missions.

Mission officials said the flight also carries several secondary assignments. Gemini 7 will serve as the rendezvous target for the upcoming Gemini 6A mission (launched on Dec. 15, 1965), expected to attempt the first close maneuvering of two manned spacecraft.

Borman and Lovell will also practice station-keeping with the booster’s second stage and test lightweight pressure suits developed for extended flight.

Both astronauts are veterans of earlier space work and are expected to play major roles in later Apollo missions, including planned voyages around the Moon.