89. [Gemini VI-A] THE HISTORIC FIRST RENDEZVOUS IN SPACE: Gemini VII spacecraft station keeping with Gemini VI-A over the Earth, at 17,000 mph Thomas Stafford, 15-16 December 1965 Printed 1965. Vintage chromogenic print on fibre-based Kodak paper [NASA image S-65-63168]. Numbered "NASA S-65-63168" in red in the top margin, with "A Kodak Paper" watermark on the reverse (issued by NASA Manned Spacecraft Centre, Houston, Texas). 20.3 x 25.4 cm. (8 x 10 in.) Historical context As Gemini VI-A approached its target for the world's first rendezvous, Schirra piloted while Stafford captured the first photographs of another spacecraft in orbit. This stunning image shows the two spacecraft just 13 feet apart, with Gemini VII nearly touching the nose of Gemini VI-A, set against the blue Earth 160 miles below. The photograph represents the success of the rendezvous technique, a critical milestone for the forthcoming Moon landing. "The rendezvous of Gemini VI-A with Gemini VII was a milestone in space flight. It was the first opportunity to closely examine a space vehicle in orbit and proved our concept of rendez-vous." —James Lovell (Cortright, p. 165) "The ability to take this photo was very gratifying after the numerous delays we encountered in performing the world's first rendezvous mission. The Gemini VI-A spacecraft was launched on the third attempt to perform the rendezvous and performed it flawlessly. After the hard work and effort of over a year, we finally achieved the key step that will lead us to the lunar landing mission." — Thomas Stafford (Cortright, p. 165) The photograph was taken about six hours after liftoff, using a handheld Hasselblad 500C camera with an 80mm lens and Kodak SO 217 film (ASA 64), while passing over the Hawaii tracking station on Gemini VI-A's fourth orbit, Schirra reported that he and Stafford had caught up with Borman and Lovell aboard Gemini VII. From the mission transcript during the rendez-vous: 005:59:20 Capcom (Mission Control): Okay. We're showing you GO here on the ground. Can you give me your status? 005:59:24 Schirra: We're in formation with VII and everything is GO here. 005:59:28 Capcom: Roger. Congratulations! Excellent! 005:59:30 Schirra: Thank you. A lot of fun. Literature National Geographic, April 1966, pp. 544-545 TIME 24 December 1965 p. 34 Moon, man's greatest adventure, Thomas, p. 114 Exploring space with a camera, Cortright, ed., p. 165