[GEMINI 6-A] LIFTOFF OF GEMINI 6-A AT KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, VINTAGE NASA "RED NUMBER" PHOTOGRAPH, 15 DECEMBER 1965.

The Vintage NASA Photo Collection of Philip Kulpa

[GEMINI 6-A]

LIFTOFF OF GEMINI 6-A AT KENNEDY SPACE CENTER. 15 DECEMBER 1965.

Vintage NASA “Red Number” chromogenic colour photograph, 8 by 10 inches, “A Kodak Paper” watermark to verso. NASA image ID “NASA S-65-61839” printed in margin in red.

Gemini 6-A, originally designated Gemini 6, became the fifth crewed Earth orbiting spacecraft, carrying Command Pilot Wally Schirra and Pilot Thomas Stafford. It was launched after the Gemini 7, with the goal of completing a rendezvous in Earth orbit, which it did successfully. Gemini 6 was originally planned to dock with the uncrewed Gemini-Agena target vehicle, however that vehicle failed on launch, and rather than scrapping the mission, the decision was made to rendezvous with the upcoming Gemini 7 instead.