<figure class="wp-caption aligncenter" id="attachment_24390" style="width: 1067px;"><figcaption class="wp-caption-text" id="caption-attachment-24390">Lovell and Aldrin – last of the Geminis.</figcaption></figure>

– NBC Radio – Launch of Gemini 12 – November 11, 1966 – Gordon Skene Sound Collection –

Gemini 12 was the last of the Gemini space flights and the 18th manned American spaceflight since the X-15 spaceflights until Apollo 7 made its debut almost 2 years later.

Its objective was to demonstrate an astronaut could work outside the spacecraft. Aldrin performed a 2-hour and 20 minute tethered spacewalk during this flight as well as photograph star fields and performing other tasks, successfully demonstrating the feasibility of extravehicular activity.

The capsule was controlled on reentry by computer and splashed down 4.8 kilometers from its target. The crew were taken aboard the aircraft carrier USS Wasp.

The Gemini 12 mission was supported by the following U.S. Department of Defense resources; 9,775 personnel, 65 aircraft and 12 ships.

Postflight medical examination disclosed no unusual conditions in either astronaut. Both were slightly exhausted and dehydrated due to problems with the spacecraft’s water supply system forcing them to reduce their fluid intake on the last day of the mission and Lovell had a mild case of pinkeye.

The four day flight also marked Astronaut Lovell as the record holder for the longest amount of time in space of anyone. It also marked Buzz Aldrin‘s first spaceflight.

Here is that live broadcast of the launch of Gemini 12, as it was first heard over the NBC Radio Network on November 11, 1966.

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