Updated: March 16, 2016 at 11:50 AM
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.
The Gemini 8 prime crew, along with several fellow astronauts, have a hearty breakfast of steak and eggs on March 16, 1966, the morning of the Gemini 8 launch. Seated clockwise around the table, starting at lower right, are Deke Slayton, Manned Spaceflight Center (MSC) Assistant Director for Flight Crew Operations; astronaut Neil Armstrong, Gemini 8 command pilot; scientist-astronaut Curt Michel; astronaut Walter Cunningham; astronaut Alan Shepard (face obscured), Chief, MSC Astronaut Office; astronaut David Scott, Gemini 8 pilot; and astronaut Roger Chaffee. NASA/UPI
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NASA astronaut Neil Armstrong, command pilot of the Gemini 8 spaceflight, sits in the Launch Complex 16 trailer during suiting up operations for the Gemini 8 mission on March 16, 1966. Suit technician Jim Garrepy assists. NASA/UPI
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NASA astronauts David Scott (left) and Neil Armstrong, both in full spacesuits, in white room entering the Gemini 8 spacecraft during countdown simulation on March 11, 1966. NASA/UPI
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NASA astronauts Neil Armstrong (foreground), command pilot, and David Scott, pilot, walk up the ramp at Launch Complex 19 during the Gemini 8 prelaunch countdown on March 16, 1966. NASA/UPI
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