Offered is an official NASA original Type I photograph of Gemini 1 on the launching pad lifting off into history. The first mission in NASA’s Gemini program, the uncrewed rocket launched on April 8, 1964, from Cape Kennedy (now Cape Canaveral) after a four-month delay. The spacecraft, which stayed attached to the second stage of the rocket, was not intended to be recovered. Holes were drilled through its heat shield to ensure it would not survive re-entry into the Earth’s atmosphere. The successful Gemini 1 mission needed just three orbits, taking less than five hours, to gather the necessary test data (although the spacecraft did 64 orbits before decaying) and achieve its primary goal of “man-rating” the modified Titan II launch vehicle.
A significant piece of art from the genesis of the space race, this 8x10 black-and-white shot was exclusively released by NASA (64-GT 1-39) with its stamp on the back along with a short caption and important statistical data about the launch. A tear on the upper right has been repaired with tape on the reverse. Despite this wear, it still presents very well.
DATE/YEAR/ERA: April 8, 1964
GENERATION: First (original negative)
ISSUER: NASA
CAPTIONED: Yes
DIMS: 8" x 10"
Encapsulated by PSA/DNA, Type I