Gemini 3 in Photos: The 1st Crewed Flight of NASA's 2-Person Spaceship

Special Trainings

NASA

In the Gulf of Mexico, the Gemini 3 prime crewmembers exit the spacecraft through the left hatch. As astronaut Virgil I. Grissom waits in a raft, John W. Young exits the floating craft.

From the Surface

NASA

During a water egress para-drop training, Gemini 3 backup crewman, Walter M. Schirra, Jr., completes the event and is picked up by boat.

Recovery Vessel Arrives

NASA

Following the successful splashdown of the Gemini 3 spacecraft, the USS Intrepid, the recovery vessel for the mission, pulls alongside the spacecraft. While the hook is attached to hoist the vessel aboard, the yellow floatation device is still visible.

Recovering the Craft

NASA

On March 23, 1965, the Gemini 3 spacecraft is raised, by crane, aboard the USS Intrepid.

Celebrating Success

NASA

On Mar. 24, 1965, the Gemini 3 crewmen answer questions about their mission at the Cape's skid strip.

Meet the Press

NASA

Astronauts Virgil I. Grissom and John W. Young meet with press following their successful Gemini 3 mission. The duo orbited Earth three times, snapping images and completing experiments in orbit.

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Christine Lunsford
Producer and Contributing Writer

Christine Lunsford joined the Space.com team in 2010 as a freelance producer and later became a contributing writer, covering astrophotography images, astronomy photos and amazing space galleries and more. During her more than 10 years with Space.com, oversaw the site's monthly skywatching updates and produced overnight features and stories on the latest space discoveries. She enjoys learning about subjects of all kinds.