This film is about NASA’s Gemini program and the sixth manned mission, Gemini VIII. Gemini 8 (officially Gemini VIII) launched March 16, 1966. The mission included the first docking of two spacecraft in orbit, but had to be aborted after the Gemini’s OAMS thrusters malfunctioned. Thanks to command pilot Neil Armstrong’s fast thinking, the crew returned safely to Earth.

It opens with the NASA seal (:10) and the crew composed of Neil Armstrong (who had resigned his commission and so flew as a civilian) and Lieutenant Colonel David Scott in the pilot’s ready room at Launch Complex 16 (:23). Their pressure suits are checked by technicians (:33). The objective of this flight was to perform the first docking in space with a target vehicle (:39). It was planned to take three days and include a two-hour spacewalk (:44) as well as the first time use of a power tool in space. The pair is seen stepping out in full suit (:49) and heading to pad 19. Over at pad 14, the target vehicle Atlas-Agena was counting down (1:00). Gemini’s crew walks up the ramp leading to the erector elevator (1:23) carrying portable air conditioning units (1:27). The elevator carries the crew to the White Room which surrounds the space craft (1:39). The Atlas launch vehicle is seen igniting (2:10) and shortly after taking off (2:16). All three of the Atlas-Agena’s major propulsion engines are set to ignite during take off (2:34) with the booster cutting off first after (2:42). The sustainer engine would cut off at 64,190 ft. (2:47). The other two engines remain on in order to position the craft into position and would cut off before the Atlas was to separate (3:01). The crew on the ground watches as it takes to orbit (3:22). Countdown of Gemini’s launch continues (3:36) and it then takes off the pad at (3:55). After about 20 seconds, Armstrong completes the roll program (4:14) and then initiates the pitch program (4:14). Gemini VIII enters the clouds above Cape Kennedy (4:39) and from here an aerial chase plane catches the Gemini in flight for a closer look (4:49). As it is inserted into orbit (5:02), the rendezvous maneuvers begin (5:17). Footage onboard the space craft looking out of the command pilot’s window follows (5:25). Armstrong reports he has rendezvoused on the fourth revolution (5:42). The Gemini is seen moving in closer to the Agena and preparing for the fuel docking approach (6:21). The onboard camera snaps on as the Gemini lines up with its target and the red approach lights are seen (6:55). It docks and this is the first dock completed in space (7:46). Unfortunately, seven hours into the mission an erratic yaw and roll motion occurs (7:50) and because the cause of the issue could not be isolated, the crew had to undock (8:06). Though the astronauts were experienced and remained calm as the Gemini spun faster and faster, in order to stabilize, the re-entry control thrusters were fired (8:29). John Hodge on the ground was the flight director and due to this incident, he terminates the mission (8:36). U.S. Navy forces led by the destroyer move towards the splashdown point near Okinawa (8:46). Search aircraft spot the space craft’s parachute in the ocean (8:53) and rescuers hit the water to retrieve the craft and men (9:29). As the hatches are opened, we can see Armstrong and Scott inside (9:51). The USS Mason arrives on scene at (9:58). The crew is removed and the craft is seen hoisted aboard the destroyer (10:02). A team of scientists from NASA quickly set about to investigate the cause of the incident (10:10). They determine it was due to a short circuit in the wiring in the #8 thruster which caused it to fire erratically (10:16). Although the mission was terminated early, it was still seen as a success as they had completed the first docking of two vehicles in space (10:36). The film concludes (10:50).

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This film is part of the Periscope Film LLC archive, one of the largest historic military, transportation, and aviation stock footage collections in the USA. Entirely film backed, this material is available for licensing in 24p HD, 2k and 4k. For more information visit http://www.PeriscopeFilm.com