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Atlas-Agena rocket launch for Gemini 8
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Atlas-Agena rocket launch for Gemini 8
Atlas-Agena rocket launch for Gemini 8. The Atlas booster was used to propel the Gemini Agena target vehicle (GATV) into space at 15:00 UTC on 16th March 1966. The GATV was used to dock with the Gemini 8 space capsule, which was launched at 16:41 UTC, in Earth orbit. Gemini 8 was piloted by Armstrong and David Scott, and achieved the first rendezvous and docking of two spacecraft. Following successful docking, however, the Gemini 8 capsule began rolling uncontrollably. The crew immediately undocked and made an emergency return to Earth just 10 hours after launch. The Agena remained in space until its orbit decayed, at which point it re-entered Earths atmosphere on 15th September 1967. Photographed at NASAs Cape Canaveral Air Force Station (now Kennedy Space Centre) in Florida, USA
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Media ID 6333465
© NASA/VRS/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY
1900s 1960s 1966 Aldrin Armstrong Ascending Atlas Blasting Off Cape Canaveral Dock Docking Florida Kennedy Space Centre Launch Launch Pad Launching Launchpad Manned Spaceflight Mission Nasa North American Programme Rocket Space Race Spacecraft Spaceflight Taking Off Targeted Targeting Unsuccessful Aborted Agena Air Force Station David Scott
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This print captures the historic Atlas-Agena rocket launch for Gemini 8, a pivotal moment in space exploration. On March 16th, 1966, at NASAs Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida, USA, the Atlas booster propelled the Gemini Agena target vehicle (GATV) into space. The GATV was designed to dock with the Gemini 8 space capsule that was launched shortly after. Piloted by Neil Armstrong and David Scott, Gemini 8 achieved an extraordinary feat - it became the first mission to successfully rendezvous and dock two spacecraft in Earth orbit. However, their triumph quickly turned into a life-threatening situation when their capsule started rolling uncontrollably. Acting swiftly, they undocked from the Agena and made an emergency return to Earth just ten hours after launch. This image not only showcases the technological marvel of this mission but also serves as a reminder of its ultimate failure. Despite this setback, it marked another significant milestone in mankind's journey beyond our planet's boundaries. The Agena remained in space until September 15th, 1967 when its orbit decayed and it re-entered Earth's atmosphere. This photograph stands as a testament to human ingenuity and determination during one of NASA's most challenging missions of that era. Through this snapshot frozen in time, we are transported back to witness both the awe-inspiring power of rocket launches and the risks inherent in pushing boundaries on our quest for knowledge about outer space.
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