126. [Gemini XII] OUTER SPACE VIEW OF GEMINI SPACECRAFT DOCKED TO AGENA OVER EARTH DURING STAND-UP EVA Buzz Aldrin, 11-15 November 1966 Printed 1966. Vintage chromogenic print on fibre-based Kodak paper [NASA image S-66-62880]. With "A Kodak Paper" watermark on the reverse (issued by NASA Manned Spacecraft Centre, Houston, Texas). 20.3 x 25.4 cm. (8 x 10in.) Historical context This stunning photograph was taken by Buzz Aldrin during his first stand-up EVA, using the Super Wide Hasselblad camera with its 38mm lens, as he floated freely in zero gravity, standing in the open hatch of Gemini XII. The spacecraft, docked to the Agena, drifts high above the vast Pacific Ocean, with the Agena's L-band antenna prominently visible in the foreground. The delicate curve of Earth, adorned with scattered clouds, contrasts strikingly against the spacecraft's metallic surface, which gleams under the unfiltered sunlight of space. Enthralled by the breathtaking view, Aldrin exclaimed: "What a beautiful view. [...] What a thrill!" During Gemini XII, Aldrin completed three EVAs (Extravehicular Activities)—two stand-up EVAs from the open hatch and this more complex excursion outside the spacecraft. From the mission transcript during the stand-up EVA (photograph taken at T+020:34:45 from launch) : 019:34:04 Aldrin: I imagine there's a little bit of tension on my hoses now, but otherwise I'm floating now, completely free. My feet are just above the seat. 019:34:25 Lovell: Okay. 019:34:28 Aldrin: What a beautiful view. [...] 019:35:08 Aldrin: What a thrill! [...] 020:31:23 Aldrin: And give me something to take a picture of. 020:31:26 Lovell: Okay. I'm turning around this - I'm going to rotate - yawing right, all the way around till the Sun is behind you. 020:31:33 Lovell: Okay? 020:31:35 Aldrin: Yes. Yawing around to the right. All right. [...] 020:33:14 Aldrin: Lots and lots of water out here. 020:33:21 Lovell: Might as well start taking pictures. [...] 020:34:45 Aldrin: Lots and lots of Pacific Ocean down there.