Gemini 12
Buzz Aldrin performs an EVA during the Gemini XII mission, with the Agena Target Vehicle visible in the background
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| Operator | NASA |
|---|---|
| COSPAR ID | 1966-104A |
| SATCAT № | 2566 |
| Mission duration | 3 days, 22 hours, 34 minutes, 31 seconds |
| Orbits completed | 59 |
| Spacecraft properties | |
| Spacecraft | Gemini SC12 |
| Manufacturer | McDonnell |
| Launch mass | 3,762.1 kilograms (8,294 lb) |
| Landing mass | 1,947.24 kilograms (4,292.93 lb) |
| Crew | |
| Crew size | 2 |
| Members |
James A. Lovell, Jr Edwin E. Aldrin, Jr |
| EVAs | 3 |
| Start of mission | |
| Launch date | November 11, 1966, 20:46:33 UTC |
| Rocket | Titan II GLV |
| Launch site | Cape Kennedy LC-19 |
| End of mission | |
| Recovered by | USS Wasp |
| Landing date | November 15, 1966, 19:21:04 UTC |
| Landing site | 24°35′N 69°57′W / 24.583°N 69.950°W |
| Orbital parameters | |
| Reference system | Geocentric |
| Regime | Low Earth orbit |
| Perigee | 251 kilometers (136 nmi) |
| Apogee | 289 kilometers (156 nmi) |
| Inclination | 28.8 degrees |
| Period | 89.94 minutes |
| Epoch | November 14, 1966 |
| Docking with GATV-5001A | |
| Docking date | November 12, 1966, 01:06:00 UTC |
| Undocking date | November 13, 1966, 20:18:00 UTC |
| Time docked | 1 day, 19 hours, 12 minutes |
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 (L-R) Aldrin, Lovell |
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Gemini 12 (officially Gemini XII) was a 1966 manned spaceflight in NASA's Project Gemini. It was the 10th and final manned Gemini flight, the 18th manned American spaceflight, and the 26th spaceflight of all time, including X-15 flights over 100 kilometers (54 nmi). Commanded by Gemini VII veteran James A. Lovell, the flight featured three periods of extravehicular activity (EVA) by rookie Edwin "Buzz" Aldrin, lasting a total of 5 hours and 30 minutes. It also achieved the fifth rendezvous and fourth docking with an Agena target vehicle.
Gemini XII marked a successful conclusion of the Gemini program, achieving the last of its goals by successfully demonstrating that astronauts can effectively work outside of spacecraft. This was instrumental in paving the way for the Apollo program to achieve its goal of landing a man on the Moon by the end of the 1960s.
Liftoff of the Atlas/Agena Target Vehicle occurred at 2:07:59 PM EST, and of the Gemini/Titan spacecraft at 3:46:33 PM EST, on November 11. All launch vehicle systems performed nominally during powered flight, but at staging there was a recurrence of the first stage oxidizer tank rupture first seen on Gemini 10's launch. On Gemini 12, the fuel tank appeared to have also ruptured as a white cloud was seen emitting from the spent stage along with the orange nitrogen tetroxide. Another episode of "Green Man" also occurred at SECO, referring to pitch gyrations caused by pressure buildup in the second stage protective skirt.
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