JUNE 3

On this date in in 1965, NASA launched Gemini 4.  This U.S. space mission was our first that required the crew to spend more than one day in space. 

The Gemini series of flights were undertaken by craft manned by two astronauts.  The earlier Mercury series were flown by a single pilot.  The later Apollo series were flown by three astronauts.

The men aboard this flight were James McDivitt and Ed White.  During this flight, White made the first extra-vehicular excursion (spacewalk) by an American. 

We were in 'catch-up' mode with the Russians at this time.   Both of these feats matched the Soviet's previous efforts and furthered NASA in it's goal of reaching the moon first. 

Check out the luxurious accommodations our astronauts had in the Gemini capsule on display at the USAF museum at WPAFB an hour north of Cincinnati.