Gemini IX-A launched 1966

Gemini IX-A crew: Tom Stafford, Gene Cernan

Mission patch

Gemini IX-A, launched June 3, 1966, was the seventh crewed Gemini flight.  Its crew consisted of Tom Stafford and Gene Cernan.  Elliott See was intended to be the commander and Charles Bassett to be pilot, but they were killed in a training accident in February.

The main objective was to dock with the Agena Target Vehicle, but because of a launch preparation error on the target vehicle, they were unable to.

The second objective was for Cernan to conduct an EVA and test the Air Force's Astronaut Maneuvering Unit, but this was not achieved since Cernan experienced cardiac stress, overheating and fatigue during the EVA.

The third objective, carrying out scientific experiments, was completed.

They returned to Earth June 6.

Gemini IX-A launched 1966

Gemini IX-A crew: Thomas Stafford, Eugene Cernan

Mission patch

Gemini IX-A, launched June 3, 1966, was renamed after the original mission, planned to launch May 17, was cancelled when the rendezvous vehicle was destroyed during a launch failure.  Its crew, Thomas Stafford and Eugene Cernan, tried to dock with the backup rendezvous craft, the Augmented Target Docking Adaptor (ATDA) because the nose pairing failed to eject from the docking target.

The original crew, Elliot See and Charles Bassett, was killed in an aircraft crash February 26, 1966.

Cernan performed a two-hour EVA in an attempt to demonstrate the Astronaut Maneuvering Unit, but could not complete it due to stress, fatigue and overheating.

They returned to Earth June 6.

Remembering astronaut Gene Cernan (1934-2017)

Gene Cernan, the last man on the Moon, passed away today from ongoing health issues.  He went into space three times, as the pilot of Gemini 9A, Lunar Module Pilot on Apollo 10 and Commander of Apollo 17.  He is the eleventh man to walk on the moon.

Being the last person to ascend the ladder into the lunar module, Gene spoke these words:

Bob, this is Gene, and I'm on the surface; and, as I take man's last step from the surface, back home for some time to come – but we believe not too long into the future – I'd like to just (say) what I believe history will record: that America's challenge of today has forged man's destiny of tomorrow. And, as we leave the Moon at Taurus–Littrow, we leave as we came and, God willing, as we shall return, with peace and hope for all mankind. Godspeed the crew of Apollo 17.

— Cernan

http://www.hq.nasa.gov/office/pao/History/alsj/a17/a17.clsout3.html