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On This Day In Space: Dec. 4, 1965: Gemini 7 launches on 1st orbital rendezvous mission

On Dec. 4, 1965, NASA launched the crewed Gemini 7 spacecraft on a two-week-long mission in low-Earth orbit. This was the fourth crewed flight of NASA’s Gemini program and the 12th crewed mission for the United States. 

Related:  In Photos: Gemini 7 Makes 1st Crewed Rendezvous with Gemini 6A 

A view of the Gemini 7 spacecraft in orbit, as seen from Gemini 6 before the two capsules docked in 1965. (Image credit: NASA)

NASA astronauts Jim Lovell and Frank Borman were aboard the Gemini 7 spacecraft. While they were in orbit, the Gemini 7 crew met up with two more NASA astronauts, Wally Schirra and Tom Stafford, who launched in another Gemini 6A spacecraft 11 days into the mission.

Their Gemini 6A spacecraft chased after Gemini 7 for a few and successfully performed the first-ever crewed rendezvous in orbit. 

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