Category Archives: space exploration

Gemini 7 team is orbited for a flight of 2 weeks and rendezvous in space 50 years ago this hour (Dec 4 1965)


Video: 'Gemini 3, 4, 5, 6 & 7 Launches: Cape Kennedy 1965 US Air Force Eastern Test Range; Titan IIIC...' (Dec. 4, 1965, at 24:43)

(Saturday, December 4, 1965, 19:30:03 UTC) — The United States today launched Gemini 7 with Air Force Lt. Col. Frank Borman and Navy Cmdr. James A. Lovell aboard on a two-week mission.

While Gemini 7 was in orbit, its sister ship, Gemini 6A, was launched on Dec. 15, 1965, on a one-day mission; the two spacecraft were able to rendezvous within a foot of each other.

Gemini 5 blasts off for eight-day stay in space 50 years ago this hour (Aug 21 1965)


Video: 'Another Step Towards Moon (1965)'

(Saturday, August 21, 1965, 13:59:59 UTC)Gemini 5, carrying astronauts Gordon Cooper and Charles “Pete” Conrad, blasted off today from Cape Canaveral, Florida, for a record eight-day trip in space, overcoming a few seconds of pogo (axial oscillation of the rocket) during first stage flight.

Challenger limps into a low orbit as an engine fails 30 years ago this hour (July 29 1985)


Video: 'STS-51F launch, abort & landing (7-29-85)'

(Monday, July 29, 1985, 21:00:00 UTC) — The space shuttle Challenger began an 8-day mission today that got off to a shaky start: the spacecraft achieved a safe orbit even though one of its main engines shut down prematurely after lift-off.

It was the first major malfunction during ascent in the 19 flights of the shuttle program.

U.S., Soviet astronauts unite ships, join in historic handshakes 40 years ago this hour (July 17 1975)


Video: 'Apollo-Soyuz Test Project (ASTP) Handshake'

(Thursday, July 17, 1975, 3:19 p.m. EDT) — Astronauts of the United States and the Soviet Union united spaceships today and then Apollo commander Tom Stafford and Soyuz commander Alexei Leonov joined hands in the first international meeting away from earth, a symbolic gesture of the two nations’ expressed desire to cooperate in the exploration of space. Continue reading U.S., Soviet astronauts unite ships, join in historic handshakes 40 years ago this hour (July 17 1975)

Astronaut Edward White first American to ‘walk’ in space 50 years ago this hour (June 3 1965)


Video: 'Gemini 4 | NASAs First Ever Space Walk - Narrated By Ed White (June 3, 1965)'

(Thursday, June 3, 1965, 19:46-20:06 UTC) — Astronaut Edward White became the first American to “walk” in space today during the flight of Gemini 4. White floated free outside the spacecraft, tethered to it, for approximately 20 minutes.