Nov 15 1966
From The Space Library
NASA's [Project Gemini]] officially ended. From first manned flight in March 1965, Gemini had achieved its goals: demonstration of ability to rendezvous and dock with target vehicle; demonstration of value of manned spacecraft for scientific and technological experimentation; performance of work by astronauts in space; use of powered, fueled satellite to provide primary and secondary propulsion for docked spacecraft; long-duration space flights without ill effect on astronauts; and precision landing of spacecraft. Records set during Gemini program included: (1) longest manned space flight (330 hrs. 35 min.); (2) altitude (851 mi.); and (3) longest total of Eva (5 hrs. 28 min.) in one flight. Total U.S. man hours in space to date: 1,993 hrs. 34 min. MSC Director Dr. Robert R. Gilruth told a news conference: "We have done all the things we had to do as a prelude to Apollo. I believe the Gemini program has been most successful. (NASA Proj. Off.; Wash. Post, 11/16/66, A6; Tech. Wk., 11/21/66, 16; NYT, 11/20/66, 2E)
NASA announced that NIMBUS II meteorological satellite had taken nearly 1 million photos since its launch from WTR May 15. "It has been working better than a finely tuned engine," said GSFC project manager Harry Press. "Its performance has exceeded everyone's expectation." (GSFC Release G-19-66)
NAS Space Science Board chairman Harry H. Hess, Princeton Univ. geology professor, received Geological Society of America's Penrose Medal "for distinguished achievement in the geologic science at society's 79th annual meeting in San Francisco. (NAS-NRC-NAE News Report, 11/66, 6)
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