An original 8x10" vintage photo (NOT a modern reprint) from a very large collection of rare original NASA photographs that originated from the estate of an engineer who worked at NASA through the early space programs. Professionally packaged in a rigid mailer for safe delivery.

Photo Overview

Original vintage NASA color photograph showing Gemini 6 astronauts Wally Schirra and Thomas P. Stafford in their full pressure suits walking along the red-painted ramp at Launch Complex 19, Cape Kennedy, Florida in 1965. Stafford, carrying his helmet, walks beside command pilot Schirra, who is already helmeted and sealed, as the two head down the erector ramp with the Atlantic Ocean visible in the background.

This crisp Kodak color print carries the red NASA serial number S-65-57964, identifying it as an official NASA-issued photograph from 1965, printed at the time of the Gemini 6 mission. A superb piece of Space Race history capturing the crew that would fly the world's first space rendezvous.

Historical Notes

Gemini 6 endured one of the most dramatic launch sagas of the entire program. The original October 25, 1965 launch was scrubbed when the Agena target vehicle exploded during its own ascent, leaving Schirra and Stafford with nothing to rendezvous with. Rescheduled as Gemini 6A to instead rendezvous with the crewed Gemini 7, the mission suffered another heart-stopping moment on December 12, 1965, when the Titan II engines ignited and shut down on the pad. Schirra, feeling no motion, made the split-second decision not to pull the ejection ring - a call widely credited with saving the mission. Three days later, on December 15, 1965, Gemini 6A launched successfully and achieved the world's first rendezvous in space, closing to within one foot of Frank Borman and Jim Lovell's Gemini 7.

Both men went on to storied careers: Schirra became the only astronaut to fly Mercury, Gemini, and Apollo missions, commanding Apollo 7 in 1968. Stafford commanded Gemini 9, flew Apollo 10 to within nine miles of the lunar surface, and commanded the American side of the historic Apollo-Soyuz Test Project in 1975.

Text Present

Front, upper left corner (red stamp): "NASA S-65-57964"

Back: Repeating diagonal "A KODAK PAPER" watermark visible across the sheet.

Condition

In good to very good vintage condition. Please see scans of the image we have provided for the most accurate and complete state of the photo.