4 December 1965: Gemini VII lifted off from Florida's Cape Kennedy Air Force Station, with Command Pilot Frank Borman & Pilot Jim Lovell aboard a Gemini spacecraft atop a Titan II G.L.V. rocket; this was the third & last Gemini endurance mission, aiming for fourteen days on orbit; Lovell became the first astronaut to doff his pressure suit; Borman & Lovell each brought along a book.
18 December 1965: Borman & Lovell spent a fortnight in orbit, demonstrating that a crew could live & operate in space long enough to conduct a lunar landing mission, & setting an orbital endurance record that would stand for five years; the capsule suffered malfunctions similar to those on Gemini V; they splashed down in the Atlantic & were recovered by the U.S.S. Wasp, alongside Gemini VI-A.
"The Explorers' Club," № DCCLXXXVII: The 55th Anniversary of Gemini VII, Part I
Space Race Song o' the Day
Space Race Song o' the Day
Space Race Song o' the Day
Space Race Song o' the Day
Space Race Song o' the Day
Space Race Song o' the Day
Space Race Song o' the Day
Space Race Song o' the Day
Space Race Song o' the Day
Space Race Song o' the Day
Space Race Song o' the Day
Space Race Song o' the Day
Space Race Song o' the Day
"The Explorers' Club," № DCCXC: The 55th Anniversary of Gemini VII, Part II
Commentary: Gemini VII was a "marathon" mission, thus the Olympic torch on the mission patch. Borman & Lovell wore unique G5C spacesuits, which were meant to be adjustable for astronaut comfort, & even removeable, but which ultimately proved to be uncomfortable when worn for long periods; this type of spacesuit never flew again. After some haggling, Mission Control allowed both astronauts to doff their suits, greatly increasing their comfort & overall health.
Gemini VI was originally intended to fly prior to Gemini VII, but when problems were encountered with Gemini VI's rendezvous & docking target vehicle, it was decided to proceed with Gemini VII on schedule.
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