Naval History and Heritage Command
Gemini 11 Mission
Gemini 11 launched on 12 September 1966, piloted by Commander Charles Conrad Jr., USN, and Lieutenant Commander Richard F. Gordon Jr., USN. The mission lasted 2 days and 23 hours and included 44 orbits at an altitude of 1,368.9 km. On 14 September, the Agena engine fired for 26 seconds, taking Gemini 11 to 850 miles above the Earth, breaking the 475-mile altitude record set in July 1966 by Gemini X. Recovery was by HS-3 helicopter from USS Guam (LPH-9).
Astronaut Richard F. Gordon Jr., pilot for the Gemini 11 spaceflight, sits astride the spacecraft during a spacewalk, while attaching a tether from the Gemini capsule to the Agena vehicle. This picture was taken over the Atlantic Ocean at approximately 160 nautical miles above Earth. (Image Credit: NASA)
The Gemini 11 prime crew, astronauts Charles Conrad Jr. (right) and Richard F. Gordon Jr. stand on the deck of USS Guam after being recovered by helicopter from the splashdown area on 15 September 1966. (Image Credit: NASA)
Gemini 11 astronauts Richard F. Gordon Jr. (left), pilot, and Charles "Pete" Conrad Jr., command pilot, sit in a life raft while awaiting pickup by a helicopter from USS Guam. Members of the U.S. Navy frogman team wait with them. (Image Credit: NASA)
Astronaut Charles Conrad Jr., command pilot of the Gemini 11 space mission, climbs from the spacecraft minutes after splashdown. Astronaut Richard F. Gordon Jr., pilot, still has his hatch closed. The U.S. Navy frogman team attached a flotation collar to the spacecraft, 15 September 1966. (NASA Photo ID: S66-50767)
The Gemini 11 spacecraft is lowered onto a dolly on the deck of USS Guam, prime recovery vessel for the Gemini 11 mission. (NASA Photo ID: S66-50743)
Astronaut Charles Conrad Jr., command pilot of the Gemini 11 space flight, is hoisted aboard a recovery helicopter from USS Guam. Astronaut Richard F. Gordon Jr., pilot, sits in life raft below waiting to be picked up. (NASA Photo ID: S66-50757)
Astronaut Richard F. Gordon Jr., pilot of the Gemini 11 space flight, is hoisted aboard a recovery helicopter from USS Guam. (NASA Photo ID: S66-50759)
Gemini 11 astronaut Charles Conrad is hoisted aboard a recovery helicopter, with astronaut Richard Gordon in the raft below. (NASA Photo 66-H-1216)
Crewmembers from USS Guam stand on deck to watch the recovery of command module of Gemini 11. The splashdown occurred only 2.7 miles from the recovery aircraft carrier. Painting, Watercolor on Paper; by Gene Klebe; 1966; Unframed Dimensions 20H X 28W. (Accession #: 66-H-1216)
Astronauts Conrad and Cooper step out of a Sikorsky SH-3 Sea King helicopter unto the deck of USS Guam. Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron 3 performed rescues for Gemini 3, Gemini 10, Gemini 11 and Apollo 9. Painting, Watercolor on Paper; by Gene Klebe; 1966; Unframed Dimensions 28H X 20W. (Accession #: 88-162-0)
