The Explorers' Club Special: Gemini IX-A

Operation AXIOM: The Space Race—The 60th Anniversary of Gemini IX-A
3 June 1966: Gemini IX-A lifted off from Florida's Cape Kennedy Air Force Station, with Command Pilot Tom Stafford & Pilot Gene Cernan aboard a Gemini spacecraft atop a Titan II G.L.V. rocket; they rendezvoused with the A.T.D.A. but were unable to dock because the A.T.D.A.'s ascent shroud failed to separate; this "angry alligator" was caused by miscommunication & rivalry between contractors.

6 June 1966: Cernan conducted America's second E.V.A., the first intended to accomplish useful work, including flying the U.S.A.F.'s Astronaut Maneuvering Unit; there were inadequate handholds & footholds for the tasks required & Cernan's pulse soared; his visor fogged over, a genuine peril, & the E.V.A. was ended early; they splashed down in the Atlantic & were recovered by the U.S.S. Wasp.

Commentary: Gemini IX-A exemplified the motto Ad astra per aspera ("To the stars through asperities;" or, "A rough road leads to the stars;" also rendered as Per aspera ad astra, I'm not a Latinist & cannot say which construction is to be preferred): for the second time in three flights, the Agena Target Vehicle failed to make it to orbit (that's how Gemini IX became Gemini IX-A); the Augmented Target Docking Adaptor, a backup spacecraft created for just such an eventuality, suffered a failure that prevented docking; & America's second Extravehicular Activity ("spacewalk"), & the first meant to accomplish useful work, demonstrated that E.V.A. was much more difficult than anticipated & would require new techniques, tools, & training. Everything about Gemini IX-A was a struggle, thus our musical theme.

The Wayback Machine Tour of Gemini IX-A
"The Explorers' Club," № DCCCXVI: The 55th Anniversary of Gemini IX, Prelude
"The Explorers' Club," № DCCCXXI: The 55th Anniversary of Gemini IX-A, Part I
Space Race Song o' the Day
Space Race Song o' the Day
"The Explorers' Club," № DCCCXXII: The 55th Anniversary of Gemini IX-A, Part II
The Stars My Destination: Gemini IX-A

Semper exploro.