The Gemini program was a NASA space program that ran from 1961 to 1966 and was designed to develop space travel techniques necessary for the Apollo program, which aimed to land humans on the Moon.
During the Gemini program, ten manned missions were conducted, and each mission used a Gemini spacecraft (also known as a Gemini capsule).
Here is a list of the ten Gemini capsules and their current locations:
Gemini 4:
Launched on June 3, 1965, with astronauts James McDivitt and Edward H. White II. This mission included the first American spacewalk, which was conducted by Ed White.
Gemini 4 was also the first flight to be followed by the mission control at the new Manned Spacecraft Center in Houston, with astronaut Gus Grissom serving as the capsule communicator at mission control.
In 1967, NASA transferred the Gemini 4 to the Smithsonian Institution.
The Gemini 4 is currently on display at the Human Spaceflight exhibit at the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center in Chantilly, VA. Also on display at the center is the Space Shuttle Discovery.
Gemini 5:
Launched on August 21, 1965, with astronauts Gordon Cooper and Charles “Pete” Conrad on board. It was an eight-day mission, setting a new space endurance record at the time.
In 1967, NASA transferred Gemini 5 to the Smithsonian Institution, although it had been on display in Houston since before that time.
The Gemini 5 capsule is on loan from the Smithsonian Institution and is still on display at Space Center Houston in Texas. Also on display at the center is the Apollo 17 capsule, the Faith 7 capsule from the Mercury program and a Saturn V rocket.
Gemini 6A:
Launched on December 15, 1965, with astronauts Walter Schirra and Thomas Stafford. This mission included the first rendezvous of two crewed spacecraft.
In 1968, NASA transferred the Gemini 6A to the Smithsonian Institution. The Gemini 6A is currently on display at the Stafford Air & Space Museum in Weatherford, OK.
Gemini 7:
Launched on December 4, 1965, with astronauts Frank Borman and James A. Lovell Jr. It was a 14-day mission that set a new space endurance record.
In 1968, NASA gave Gemini 7 to the Smithsonian Institution. The Gemini 7 capsule is currently on display at the National Air and Space Museum in Washington D.C. Also on display at the museum is the Apollo 11 capsule and a Saturn V rocket.
Gemini 8:
Launched on March 16, 1966, with astronauts Neil Armstrong and David Scott. This mission accomplished the first docking of two spacecraft in history, after the Gemini 8 rendezvoused with an unmanned Agena vehicle launched earlier the same day and successfully docked with it.
Unfortunately, the mission was cut short due to a critical spacecraft malfunction during the space docking maneuver. The Gemini 8 capsule was later used in ground testing for the Defense Department’s Manned Orbiting Laboratory program.
In 1972, the capsule’s manufacturer, McDonnell, gave the Gemini 8 capsule to the Smithsonian Institution for NASA.
The Gemini 8 capsule is currently on display at the Neil Armstrong Air and Space Museum in Wapakoneta, OH.
Gemini 9A:
Launched on June 3, 1966, with astronauts Thomas Stafford and Eugene Cernan. This mission involved a space rendezvous and the second spacewalk of the Gemini program.
NASA transferred the Gemini 9A capsule to the Smithsonian Institution in 1967. The Gemini 9A is currently on display in the Heroes & Legends exhibit at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida.
Also on display in the space center is the Sigma 7 capsule from the Mercury program, the hatch from the Apollo 1 capsule, the Apollo 14 capsule, a Saturn V rocket, the Space Shuttle Atlantis, and wreckage from the Space Shuttles Columbia and Challenger.
Gemini 10:
Launched on July 18, 1966, with astronauts John W. Young and Michael Collins. This mission performed a dual rendezvous and docking with two different Agena target vehicles.
In 1967, NASA transferred the Gemini 10 capsule to the Smithsonian Institution.
The Gemini 10 capsule is currently on display at the Cosmosphere museum in Hutchinson, KS.
Gemini 11:
Launched on September 12, 1966, with astronauts Charles “Pete” Conrad and Richard F. Gordon Jr. This mission achieved a high-apogee Earth orbit and conducted a spacewalk.
In August of 1967, NASA transferred the Gemini 11 capsule to the Smithsonian Institution. The Gemini 11 capsule is currently on display at the California Science Center in Los Angeles, CA. Also on display at the center is the Space Shuttle Endeavour.
Gemini 12:
Launched on November 11, 1966, with astronauts James A. Lovell Jr. and Edwin “Buzz” Aldrin. This mission conducted several spacewalks and was the final flight of the Gemini program.
In 1968, NASA transferred the Gemini 12 capsule to the Smithsonian Institution. The Gemini 12 capsule is currently on display at the Adler Planetarium in Chicago, IL.
These Gemini capsules played a crucial role in advancing human spaceflight capabilities and laid the groundwork for the Apollo program’s success, which eventually landed astronauts on the Moon.
Sources:
“Mission Moon.” Adler Planetarium, adlerplanetarium.org/explore/exhibits/mission-moon/
“Gemini 11 Capsule.” California Science Center, californiasciencecenter.org/exhibits/air-space/humans-space/gemini-11-capsule
“Capsule, Gemini XI.” National Air and Space Museum, airandspace.si.edu/collection-objects/capsule-gemini-xi/nasm_A19680260000
“Capsule, Gemini X.” National Air and Space Museum, airandspace.si.edu/collection-objects/capsule-gemini-x/nasm_A19680272000
“55 Years Ago: Gemini VIII, the First Docking in Space.” NASA, nasa.gov/feature/55-years-ago-gemini-viii-the-first-docking-in-space
“Capsule, Gemini VIII.” National Air and Space Museum, airandspace.si.edu/collection-objects/capsule-gemini-viii/nasm_A19721289000
“The Gemini VII Capsule.” National Air and Space Museum, airandspace.si.edu/collection-objects/capsule-gemini-vii/nasm_A19680273000
“Gemini 6A.” NASA, nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/nmc/spacecraft/display.action?id=1965-104A
“Capsule, Gemini V.” National Air and Space Museum, airandspace.si.edu/collection-objects/capsule-gemini-v/nasm_A19710156000
“Gemini IV: Learning to Walk in Space.” NASA, nasa.gov/feature/gemini-iv-learning-to-walk-in-space
“Capsule, Gemini IV.” National Air and Space Museum, airandspace.si.edu/collection-objects/capsule-gemini-iv/nasm_A19670209000
“Virgil I. ‘Gus’ Grissom Memorial Museum.” Roadside America, roadsideamerica.com/story/9780
“Capsule, Gemini 3.” National Air and Space Museum, airandspace.si.edu/collection-objects/capsule-gemini-3/nasm_A19710063000
“Gemini 3 Mission.” NASA, nasa.gov/centers/marshall/history/gemini3.html
