29 August 1965: Problems with the new fuel cells threatened to cut short the mission on day one, but Cooper & Conrad pressed on, setting a new endurance record for manned spaceflight, simulating orbital rendezvous, & gathering a wealth of physiological data; Conrad quipped that he wished he'd brought a book; they splashed down in the Atlantic & were recovered by the U.S.S. Lake Champlain.
Commentary: Gordon Cooper's design for the Gemini V mission patch was emblazoned "8 Days or Bust," an act of bravado with which N.A.S.A. management was none too pleased, reasoning that if the mission did indeed "bust" short of the eight-day goal the bravado would make the public embarrassment that much more acute. The compromise solution was that Cooper & Conrad flew with the patch on their spacesuits, but with "8 Days or Bust" covered up (as seen above) 'til they splashed down & were safely recovered.
Bonus! Space Race Song o' Gemini V
Me First and the Gimme Gimmes, "The End of the Road" from Me First and the Gimme Gimmes Take a Break (Space Cadet Mike Papa Whiskey)
Commentary: The Gemini V capsule is on display at Space Center Houston, the Johnson Space Center's official visitor's center, where, in an act of historical vandalism, it has been mocked up to simulate the Gemini IV capsule as it appeared during Ed White's first American spacewalk. For shame! The genuine Gemini IV capsule is displayed in a place of honor at the National Air & Space Musem in Washington, D.C.
Semper exploro.
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