Gemini 8 mission 50th anniversary (29 images)

Today marks the 50th anniversary of NASA's Gemini 8 mission, the sixth manned spaceflight conducted during the United States' Project Gemini program. The primary objective of the mission the successful docking of two spacecraft in orbit, a first in spaceflight. It was a success, though the crew suffered a critical system failure, forcing them to abandon their mission and return to Earth after just 10 hours in space. Find more about this day in history in the UPI Almanac.

NASA astronauts Neil Armstrong (left), command pilot, and David Scott, pilot, the Gemini 8 prime crew, during a photo session outside the Kennedy Space Center (KSC) Mission Control Center on March 11, 1966. Both men are wearing full spacesuits and carrying their helmets. NASA/UPI

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NASA astronauts Neil Armstrong (center), command pilot, and David Scott (right), pilot of the Gemini 8 prime crew are suited up for water egress training aboard the NASA Motor Vessel Retriever in the Gulf of Mexico on January 15, 1966. At left is Dr. Kenneth N. Beers, M.D., Flight Medicine Branch, Center Medical Office. NASA/UPI

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NASA astronauts Neil Armstrong (on left), and David Scott (on right), use a full-scale model of a Gemini spacecraft during water egress training in the Gulf of Mexico on January 15, 1966. Three Manned Spacecraft Center swimmers assist in the training exercise. NASA/UPI

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NASA astronaut David Scott hold onto the maneuvering unit while suspended in a weightless state during extravehicular activity (EVA) training in a C-135 Air Force plane on February 3, 1966. NASA/UPI

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