Tag: David Scott

A Triumphal First Spacewalk is Followed by a Perilous Return

A Triumphal First Spacewalk is Followed by a Perilous Return

“A human being has made the first ever walk in open space. He is at this very moment flying free in space.” This was the announcement of Soviet cosmonaut Pavel Belyayev during a television broadcast on March 18, 1965. Fellow Voskhod-2 crewmember Alexei Leonov climbed out of their spacecraft, exited an airlock and floated alone 310 miles above the Earth. It was another stunning spaceflight “first” for the Soviet Union 60 Years ago.

Gemini’s First Docking Turns to Wild Ride in Orbit

Gemini’s First Docking Turns to Wild Ride in Orbit

In early 1966, Gemini VIII chalked up another crucial spaceflight technology milestone for the United States. But the triumph quickly became an in-flight emergency, testing NASA’s quick-thinking skills to bring the astronauts safely home — 55 years ago this month.