The Explorers' Club, № DCCCII

Operation AXIOM: The Space Race—In Memoriam Elliot See & Charlie Bassett
28 February 1966: Elliot See, U.S.N.R. (1927-1966) & Major Charles Bassett, U.S.A.F. (1931-1966), the prime crew for Gemini IX, died when their T-38 Talon crashed into the McDonnell Aircraft factory wherein their Gemini spacecraft was being prepared; the crash was attributed to pilot error by See; See was survived by his wife, Marilyn, & three children; Bassett by his wife, Jeannie, & two children.

Commentary: Gemini IX backup crew Tom Stafford & Gene Cernan flew to Saint Louis in a T-38 in formation with See & Bassett, but landed safely; they became the new Gemini IX prime crew & flew the eventual mission. Gemini X backup crew Jim Lovell & Buzz Aldrin became the new Gemini IX backup crew, which put them in the rotation to be the Gemini XII prime crew, giving Aldrin the space flight experience to be assigned to Apollo 11, the first Moon landing.

Bonus! Space Race Song o' the Day: In Memoriam
The Phenomenauts, "Heroes" from For All Mankind (Space Cadet Mike Papa Whiskey)

Semper exploro.