Gemini VII

Frank Borman and James Lovell were launched into orbit aboard this spacecraft, Gemini VII, in 1965. Their primary mission was to show that humans could live in weightlessness for 14 days, a record that stood until 1970. Gemini VII also served as the target vehicle for Gemini VI-A, which carried out the world's first space rendezvous. These two achievements were critical steps on the road to the Apollo moon landing. This module is the only part of Gemini that returned to Earth.

Spacecraft location in the Museum

  • The Gemini VII capsule is in the James S. McDonnell Space Hangar at the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Museum. More details about the capsule are located on its label which is on the main floor in the Space Hangar.

  • Take the tour and find it for yourself in our Google Street View!

Additional information

What was the primary mission of Gemini VII and was this mission successful?

Their primary mission was to show that humans could live in weightlessness for 14 days. Yes, the mission was successful and Borman and Lovell lived in weightlessness for 14 days.

This module is the only part of Gemini that returned to earth. What happened to Gemini’s heat shield and nose section?

The heat shield was jettisoned before reentry, to use the maneuvering thrusters and retrorockets. The nose section was discarded during parachute deployment

Upper Section of the Gemini VII Capsule

The nose section of the Gemini VII Capsule was discarded during parachute deployment.

Lower Section of the Gemini VII Capsule

Behind the heat shield was an adapter section containing propellants for the maneuvering thrusters, fuel cells for electric power, and retrorockets. It was jettisoned before reentry.

In 1965, one of two astronauts aboard Gemini IV was the first American to “walk in space”. What was the name of the astronaut to do the first US spacewalk?

Edward White was the first American to “walk in space”.