On this night in science
Two spacecraft meet in space
December 15, 1965
On this day in 1965, two spacecraft, Gemini 6A and Gemini 7, met each other in orbit for the first time. The astronauts steered close together and flew side by side for more than five hours.
Why it mattered
Meeting another spacecraft in orbit was something the Moon landings would need, so astronauts could leave the Moon and join back up with the ship that would bring them home.
Wonder together
How do you think two spacecraft, both moving very fast, could find each other in space?
Where this comes from