Skyman says, 50 years ago today: Gemini 6 rendezvoused with Gemini 7.
SkyMan
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Fifty years ago today, December 15, 1965, Gemini 6 rendezvoused with Gemini 7. It was the first time ever that humans had performed a rendezvous in space. This was perhaps the moment that the US overtook the USSR in the "Space Race". Certainly in conjunction with Gemini 7's two week long space flight (basically to test human endurance in space), this marked, as Churchill would call cleaning the Axis out of North Africa, "... not the beginning of the end, but rather the end of the beginning". From here on out the US, for the most part, ruled the Space Race.
All the major space accomplishments from that time forward have depended upon rendezvous, whether it be the Apollo space ships in lunar orbit, the US/USSR/Russian ships going to space stations, or astronauts tending the Hubble Space Telescope in orbit. Without rendezvous, none of that would have been feasible.
Astronauts were allowed to bring (subject to weight limits) personal items aboard a flight. These items were stashed in their PPK (personal preference kits). Before each flight the head of the astronaut office Deke Slayton had to sign off on the contents of each PPK. Here is the PPK list that Wally Schirra, the Commander of Gemini 6, submitted to Slayton. To the best of my knowledge it is the only PPK list from the Mercury, Gemini, Apollo (MGA) era that has survived, and I own it. I have been looking around for some time to find out if ANYONE knows anything about the "1950-D" coin (see # 3). Needless to say, I'd love to buy it if it comes onto the market with an authentic provenance trail.
Anyhow, here are pix of mission flown patches I have from both missions, as well as some pictures (some signed) taken during the missions.
All the major space accomplishments from that time forward have depended upon rendezvous, whether it be the Apollo space ships in lunar orbit, the US/USSR/Russian ships going to space stations, or astronauts tending the Hubble Space Telescope in orbit. Without rendezvous, none of that would have been feasible.
Astronauts were allowed to bring (subject to weight limits) personal items aboard a flight. These items were stashed in their PPK (personal preference kits). Before each flight the head of the astronaut office Deke Slayton had to sign off on the contents of each PPK. Here is the PPK list that Wally Schirra, the Commander of Gemini 6, submitted to Slayton. To the best of my knowledge it is the only PPK list from the Mercury, Gemini, Apollo (MGA) era that has survived, and I own it. I have been looking around for some time to find out if ANYONE knows anything about the "1950-D" coin (see # 3). Needless to say, I'd love to buy it if it comes onto the market with an authentic provenance trail.
Anyhow, here are pix of mission flown patches I have from both missions, as well as some pictures (some signed) taken during the missions.
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Looking for Top Pop Mercury Dime Varieties & High Grade Mercury Dime Toners.
Edited to add
http://www.space.com/31388-elon-musk-colonize-mars-now.html
In 1000 years, what people will remember of the 1900s will be the birth of aviation in general and the Apollo program in particular.
The goals of the Gemini program were bold and ambitious. It's a tribute to the thousands of engineers, scientists, and workers in the tech manufacturing sector that those goals were met or exceeded, despite a few little hiccups.
When Americans move in unison, with a common vision, there is no limit to what we can accomplish. Leadership is needed. We haven't had that in a really, really long time, from either major political party.
In 1000 years, what people will remember of the 1900s will be the birth of aviation in general and the Apollo program in particular.
The goals of the Gemini program were bold and ambitious. It's a tribute to the thousands of engineers, scientists, and workers in the tech manufacturing sector that those goals were met or exceeded, despite a few little hiccups.
"Keep your malarkey filter in good operating order" -Walter Breen
...who's (Marty) after the 1950-D ?
I have NO idea.
U.S. Type Set
Thanks SkyMan! I enjoed it!
Does a FL hunting license work in space?
http://www.shieldnickels.net
BHNC #203
First thing I though of was Martin Seamus "Marty" McFly!
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I'm glad you guys enjoy the thread
...who's (Marty) after the 1950-D ?
I have NO idea.
I would assume that the "Marty" mentioned on the list is Wally Marty Schirra III, Wally's son, who was born in 1950.
Another REALLY cool post Skyman! I never get tired of them. If you could track down that coin that would be awesome. What about the gold and silver medals?
Too many positive BST transactions with too many members to list.
from the time of Sputnik through today... and sincerely hope I live to see a manned Mars
landing... Cheers, RickO
That would be the most logical Marty. I think we have a winner PipestonePete.
Another REALLY cool post Skyman! I never get tired of them. If you could track down that coin that would be awesome. What about the gold and silver medals?
I think you may be right Marty. Excellent!
The gold (plated) and silver medals are Fliteline medallions. Flitelines are metallic representations of the mission patch. They come up for auction every so often. If you go to Heritage's website you should be able to find some in their archives. Under "Departments" go to "Historical" and click on the "drop down" button. Click on "Space Exploration" to get to the space artifact auctions. Depending on condition etc. Flitelines tend to go in the ~ $700 to ~$2,200 range. I currently own Flitelines for the Gemini 5, 9, 10, and 11 flights.
U.S. Type Set
Too many positive BST transactions with too many members to list.
What if it a high grade mint state 50-D/S Quarter? That would be awesome.
Too many positive BST transactions with too many members to list.
I was born in 1960, and am Blessed with nearly total recall memory from less than age three (short term is SHORT!).
I remember that event, and following the Space Program with my late Father, was so exciting.
Was a great time to be born, seeing so much happen so quickly.
Kids now, doesn't mean too much, no Huge strides in tech. in such a short time frame.
We saw it happen, and for that I am grateful.