Gemini 9 Wasn’t Much Better
The crew of Gemini 9, which was to try a new docking with the Agena vehicle and do an EVA to test new equipment, launched on June 3, 1966. It had already experienced tragedy; astronauts Elliott See and Charles Bassett, the Gemini 9 crew, were both killed in a plane crash on their way to inspect the at the McDonell Aircraft facility. Backup crew Thomas Stafford and Gene Cernan became primary crew. On launch day, the Agena blew up on its way to orbit and NASA delayed the mission. NASA crafted a new vehicle for Gemini 9 to dock with, and the flight finally launched. But problems with the alternative vehicle meant they could not safely dock. The astronauts and NASA decided to stop. Attention turned to the EVA, where Cernan would assess a hydrogen-peroxide fueled Astronaut Maneuvering Unit (AMU). Things would not get much better.