Project Gemini Mission Patches

Project Gemini was America's second manned space program. It consisted of 10 manned missions from 1965 to 1966. The purpose of these flights was to develop and text technologies and procedures in preparation for the upcoming Apollo missions to the Moon. The first flight of project Gemini was Gemini 3. Astronauts Virgil "Gus" Grissom and John Young tested the maneuverability of the new spacecraft during 3 orbits. During Gemini 4, astronaut Edward White became the first American to walk outside the spacecraft. Gemini 5 featured the first use of an embroidered mission insignia on an astronaut uniform. Mission patches became standard on all future manned space flights. Other Gemini missions tested vehicle docking procedures which would be critical for the upcoming Apollo program. The Gemini program came to a close with the launch of Gemini 12 on November 11, 1966. The Gemini program paved the way for the Apollo program, which would take the first humans to the Moon.