Gemini-VI-A (7)

Pad LC-19 ()

Titan-II (7)

Crew:

Walter M. Schirra Jr. (1), Commander

Thomas P. Stafford (1), Pilot

Backup Crew:

Virgil I. Grissom

John W. Young

CapCom:

Alan L. Bean (Cape)

Elliot M. See (Houston)

Eugene A. Cernan (Houston)

Charles A. Bassett II (Houston)

Milestones:

Payload:

Gemini-VI-A capsule

Mission Objective:

Primary objective was to rendezvous with Gemini-VII. Secondary objectives included: Perform closed-loop rendezvous in fourth orbit. Stationkeep with Gemini VII. Evaluate reentry guidance capability. Conduct visibility tests for rendezvous, using Gemini VII as target. Perform 3 experiments. Spacecraft weight 3546kg.

Launch:

Dec 15, 1965 8:37:26.471 am EST. Due to a Gemini Agena target vehicle (GATV) propulsion failure on 25 Oct, 1965 the mission was rescheduled. The Agena target vehicle Gemini Agena target vehicle GATV-5002 and TLV 5301 with which the Gemini-VI-A was to rendezvous and dock, failed to go into orbit. A launch attempt on Dec 12, 1965 failed because of a minor launch vehicle hardware problem.

Orbit:

Altitude: 311.3km (168.1 nm)

Inclination: 28.89 degrees

Orbits: 16

Duration: 1 Day, 1 hour, 51 min, 24 seconds

Distance: km

Landing:

December 16, 1965. Landing was at 23deg 35min North and 67deg 50min West. Miss distance was 12.9km (7nm). Recovered by the USS Wasp (crew onboard in 66min).

Mission Highlights:

All primary objectives were achieved. Secondary objective on experiment D-8 Radiation in Spacecraft because stationkeeping with Gemini-VII interfered with the experiment.

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