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Gemini XII’s final tests tackled rendezvous and spacewalking problems before Apollo

Launched Nov. 11, 1966, with Jim Lovell and Buzz Aldrin aboard, Gemini XII was the program’s final mission. Despite a failing rendezvous radar and a balky Agena, the flight put docking and spacewalking through a final test, helping set the stage for Apollo’s lunar landing program.

Discovered 2026-11-11T12:28:08.079956-08:00 | 2026-11-11T12:28:08.079956-08:00

Briefing

What Hype is tracking

Gemini XII was the final flight in the Gemini program, which helped prepare NASA for Apollo and its planned lunar landing.
The mission confronted recurring rendezvous and spacewalking challenges, key capabilities for subsequent crewed spaceflight.

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