Gemini 3

Gemini 3 was the first crewed mission in NASA's Project Gemini. It was important because it was the first time two American astronauts flew together into space. On March 23, 1965, astronauts Gus Grissom and John Young flew three low Earth orbits in their spacecraft, which they nicknamed Molly Brown.

This mission was special because the crew fired thrusters to change the size and shape of their orbit. This test was very important for learning how to move in space, which would be needed for future trips to the Moon. Gemini 3 was also the last mission controlled from Cape Kennedy Air Force Station in Florida before control moved to a new control center at the Manned Spacecraft Center in Houston, Texas.

Crew

Backup crew

Original crew

Support crew

• Roger B. Chaffee (Houston CAPCOM)
• L. Gordon Cooper Jr. (Cape CAPCOM)

Mission parameters

Here are some important facts about the Gemini 3 mission:

• Mass: 3,236.9 kg (7,136 lb)
• Perigee: 161.2 kilometers (100.2 mi)
• Apogee: 224.2 kilometers (139.3 mi)
• Inclination: 32.6 degrees
• Period: 88.3 minutes

Objectives

The main goal of the Gemini 3 mission was to test the new Gemini spacecraft and see if it could move in space. The astronauts used special engines to change their path and position while orbiting Earth. This was an important test to make sure future trips to the Moon could work.

Gemini 3 also made some history. It was the first time two Americans flew together in space. Another new thing they tried was a way to talk better with people on Earth when the spacecraft came back through the atmosphere.

First orbital maneuver by crewed spacecraft

On March 23, 1965, astronauts Gus Grissom and John Young made history when they used their spacecraft's engines to change their path in space. This was the first time any crew inside a spacecraft had done this. They fired the engines for one minute and fourteen seconds, which altered their orbit slightly. This test was important for future trips to the Moon.

Flight

Gus Grissom and John Young gave their spacecraft the nickname Molly Brown. They flew three orbits around Earth in 1965, testing how well the spacecraft could move in space.

During the flight, Young brought a sandwich on board, which caused some problems with crumbs. The crew also noticed a small problem with the spacecraft moving slowly to one side, but they fixed their path a few times during the flight. When they returned to Earth, they landed a little farther than planned but were safe. The crew stayed inside the spacecraft until help arrived.

Insignia

The crew of Gemini 3 did not wear a patch on their spacesuits like later missions. Instead, they had a special design called The Molly Brown made on special medallions. These were small, shiny pieces that the astronauts brought back for family and friends. The same design was also used on the cover of a book written by one of the astronauts, Gus Grissom. Later, John Young wore a patch version of the design on his suit in 2002.

Spacecraft location

The spacecraft from Gemini 3 can be seen at the Grissom Memorial in Spring Mill State Park, which is two miles east of Mitchell, Indiana, the hometown of astronaut Gus Grissom.