The online tool for teaching with documents, from the National Archives

The Process of Early Space Flight: The Gemini Program

Finding a Sequence

All documents and text associated with this activity are printed below, followed by a worksheet for student responses.

Introduction

America’s first manned space program, Project Mercury, proved that man could successfully orbit in space. In 1961, President John F. Kennedy announced the goal of the United States to land on the moon. NASA’s second manned space program, Project Gemini, set out to learn techniques that would eventually allow astronauts to land on the moon during the later Apollo program.

The following photographs are from Gemini missions (1961-1966). Place the photographs in the order that they would occur during a flight mission.


Name:
Class:

Worksheet

The Process of Early Space Flight: The Gemini Program

Finding a Sequence

Examine the documents in this activity. Put the corresponding document numbers in order using the list below. Write your conclusion response in the space provided.

1
2
3
4
5
6
7



Hints for this Activity


  1. Astronaut Enters Altitude Chamber
  2. Gemini Launch
  3. Taking Photograph of Clouds and Island of Bermuda
  4. Astronaut Space Walk
  5. Gemini Capsule Splashdown
  6. Recovery of Gemini Astronauts
  7. Gemini Capsule Being Recovered by USS Intrepid


1

Activity Element

Photograph of Astronaut Buzz Aldrin Entering the 30' Altitude Chamber

Page 1



2

Activity Element

Photograph of Gemini 3 Launch

Page 1



3

Activity Element

Photograph of Gemini 3 Recovery

Page 1



4

Activity Element

Photograph 1 of Astronaut Edward H. White II's Space Walk on Gemini IV

Page 1



5

Activity Element

Photograph of Gemini 9 Recovery

Page 1



6

Activity Element

Photograph of Gemini 3 Recovery on the U.S.S. Intrepid

Page 1



7

Activity Element

Photograph of Gemini 3 with clouds, Atlantic Ocean and Bermuda in Lower Right

Page 1



Conclusion

The Process of Early Space Flight: The Gemini Program

Finding a Sequence

Now that you know the order of how early American space flights took place, compare the space flight mission from Gemini to a more recent flight of the shuttle program. Create a table in which you list things you know about each program. 

Describe:
  • What are the differences?
  • What are the similarities?
  • Imagine that you were an astronaut in the earliest days of manned space flight. What would be your interests, concerns, and hopes?


Your Response



Document

Photograph of Astronaut Buzz Aldrin Entering the 30' Altitude Chamber

1958 - 1974

This photograph comes from NASA files on Project Gemini.
This primary source comes from the Records of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration.
National Archives Identifier: 6734379
Full Citation: Photograph of Astronaut Buzz Aldrin Entering the 30' Altitude Chamber; 1958 - 1974; Source Files on Project Gemini, 1961 - 1974; Records of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, ; National Archives at Fort Worth, Fort Worth, TX. [Online Version, https://docsteach.org/documents/document/aldrin-30-altitude-chamber, April 19, 2024]


Photograph of Astronaut Buzz Aldrin Entering the 30' Altitude Chamber

Page 1



Document

Photograph of Gemini 3 with clouds, Atlantic Ocean and Bermuda in Lower Right

1958 - 1974

This primary source comes from the Records of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration.
National Archives Identifier: 6734371
Full Citation: Photograph of Gemini 3 with clouds, Atlantic Ocean and Bermuda in Lower Right; 1958 - 1974; Records of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, . [Online Version, https://docsteach.org/documents/document/photograph-of-gemini-3-with-clouds-atlantic-ocean-and-bermuda-in-lower-right, April 19, 2024]


Photograph of Gemini 3 with clouds, Atlantic Ocean and Bermuda in Lower Right

Page 1



Document

Photograph of Gemini 3 Recovery

3/23/1965

This primary source comes from the Records of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration.
National Archives Identifier: 6734375
Full Citation: Photograph of Gemini 3 Recovery; 3/23/1965; Records of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, . [Online Version, https://docsteach.org/documents/document/photograph-of-gemini-3-recovery, April 19, 2024]


Photograph of Gemini 3 Recovery

Page 1



Document

Photograph of Gemini 3 Launch

3/23/1965

This primary source comes from the Records of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration.
National Archives Identifier: 6734374
Full Citation: Photograph of Gemini 3 Launch; 3/23/1965; Records of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, . [Online Version, https://docsteach.org/documents/document/photograph-of-gemini-3-launch, April 19, 2024]


Photograph of Gemini 3 Launch

Page 1



Document

Photograph 1 of Astronaut Edward H. White II's Space Walk on Gemini IV

6/3/1965

This photograph captures astronaut Edward H. White II's space walk (Extra Vehicular Activity) on Gemini IV.
This primary source comes from the Records of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration.
National Archives Identifier: 4728365
Full Citation: Photograph 1 of Astronaut Edward H. White II's Space Walk on Gemini IV; 6/3/1965; Source Files on Project Gemini, 1961 - 1974; Records of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, ; National Archives at Fort Worth, Fort Worth, TX. [Online Version, https://docsteach.org/documents/document/white-space-walk-gemini, April 19, 2024]


Photograph 1 of Astronaut Edward H. White II's Space Walk on Gemini IV

Page 1



Document

Photograph of Gemini 3 Recovery on the U.S.S. Intrepid

3/23/1965

This primary source comes from the Records of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration.
National Archives Identifier: 6734376
Full Citation: Photograph of Gemini 3 Recovery on the U.S.S. Intrepid; 3/23/1965; Records of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, . [Online Version, https://docsteach.org/documents/document/photograph-of-gemini-3-recovery-on-the-uss-intrepid, April 19, 2024]


Photograph of Gemini 3 Recovery on the U.S.S. Intrepid

Page 1



Document

Photograph of Gemini 9 Recovery

6/6/1966

After its reentry, Gemini IX splashed down and was recovered by the ship USS Wasp.
This primary source comes from the Records of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration.
National Archives Identifier: 6734377
Full Citation: Photograph of Gemini 9 Recovery; 6/6/1966; Source Files on Project Gemini, 1961 - 1974; Records of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, ; National Archives at Fort Worth, Fort Worth, TX. [Online Version, https://docsteach.org/documents/document/gemini-9-recovery, April 19, 2024]


Photograph of Gemini 9 Recovery

Page 1