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.

Gemini 3 Mission Insignia
Gemini 3 Alternate Mission Insignia
Gemini 4 Mission Insignia

Gemini 3

Launch: March 23, 1965

Gemini 3

Alternate Version
Launch: March 23, 1965

Gemini 4

Launch: June 3, 1965
Gemini 4 Alternate Mission Insignia
Gemini 5 Mission Patch
Gemini 7 Mission Patch

Gemini 4

Alternate Version
Launch: June 3, 1965

Gemini 5

Launch: August 21, 1965

Gemini 7

Launch: December 4, 1965
Gemini 6A Mission Patch
Gemini 8 Mission Patch
Gemini 9A Mission Patch

Gemini 6A

Launch: December 15, 1965

Gemini 8

Launch: March 16, 1966

Gemini 9a

Launch: June 3, 1966
Gemini 10 Mission Patch
Gemini 11 Mission Patch
Gemini 12 Mission Patch

Gemini 10

Launch: July 18, 1966

Gemini 11

Launch: September 12, 1966

Gemini 12

Launch: November 11, 1966
Gemini Program Insignia

Project Gemini

Program Insignia