Whereas 1965 had seen Project Gemini go from strength to strength, 1966 was more of a struggle: progress was made, but at a higher cost in frustration & repeated attempts prior to success. Between 16 March-15 November 1966, the United States conducted five manned Gemini spaceflights, launching & recovering ten astronauts. There were five rendezvous & four dockings with Agena Target Vehicles, from the very first docking in space during Gemini VIII to docking being regarded almost as routine by Gemini XII. Four astronauts conducted E.V.A.s & returned safely to their capsules, & after much difficulty & danger E.V.A. training & spacewalking techniques were pioneered that are still standard operating procedure in this third decade of the twenty-first century.
1966 was the first year of American manned spaceflight that did not see a member of the "Mercury Seven," Astronaut Group 1 (1959), fly; four "New Nine" veterans of Gemini flights in 1965, Astronaut Group 2 (1962), flew second flights in 1966; & five astronauts from the "Fourteen," Astronaut Group 3 (1963), flew for the first time. "New Nine" astronaut Neil Armstrong commanded his rookie flight. As 1966 drew to a close, all eyes turned toward the first manned Apollo flight, scheduled for February 1967.
The Wayback Machine Tour of Project Gemini '66
The Stars My Destination: Gemini '65
№ DCCCIV: The 55th Anniversary of Gemini VIII — Neil Armstrong & Dave Scott
№ DCCCXVI: The 55th Anniversary of Gemini IX, Prelude
№ DCCCXXI: The 55th Anniversary of Gemini IX-A, Part I — Tom Stafford & Gene Cernan
№ DCCCXXII: The 55th Anniversary of Gemini IX-A, Part II
№ DCCCXXX: The 55th Anniversary of Gemini X — John Young & Michael Collins
№ DCCCXXXIX: The 55th Anniversary of Gemini XI, Part I — Pete Conrad & Dick Gordon
№ DCCCXL: The 55th Anniversary of Gemini XI, Part II
№ DCCCL: The 55th Anniversary of Gemini XII, Part I — Jim Lovell & "Buzz" Aldrin
№ DCCCLI: The 55th Anniversary of Gemini XII, Part II
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