Gemini III: America's First Two-Person Spaceflight Achieves Critical Orbital Maneuvers in Historic Mission

On March 23, 1965, the United States launched Gemini III, marking America's first two-person spaceflight with astronauts Virgil "Gus" Grissom and John Young. The mission saw Grissom become the first person to enter space twice and Young the first of the second astronaut group to fly in space. During their three-orbit journey, they executed the first orbital maneuvers by a crewed spacecraft, a crucial step for rendezvous and docking techniques. The uncrewed Gemini I and II missions validated the spacecraft's design and heat shield, leading to the crewed flight. Gemini III achieved an orbit of 100 miles by 139 miles above Earth. The crew successfully fired thrusters to adjust their orbit, demonstrating a change in velocity. A corned beef sandwich, stowed by Young, added an unscheduled moment to the mission. Grissom and Young safely splashed down in the Atlantic Ocean after 4 hours, 52 minutes, and 31 seconds. They were recovered by a helicopter and taken to the U.S.S. Intrepid, where they received a medical checkup and a call from President Lyndon B. Johnson. The mission's success paved the way for nine more Gemini missions, advancing techniques required for the Apollo Program and the Moon landing.