#gemini 9a

"Astronaut Thomas P. Stafford, command pilot of the Gemini-9A spaceflight, is photographed during the Gemini-9A mission inside the spacecraft by astronaut Eugene Cernan, Gemini-9A pilot."

Date: June 3, 1966

Through it all… I kept my eyes on the sky. I still do and I hope I always will.” Tom Stafford.

We Have Capture: Tom Stafford and the Space Race (2002) p. 269 by Thomas P. Stafford with Michael Cassutt.

RIP to an Apollo great (1930-2024)

Credit: Ralph Morse for Life Magazine

National Astronaut Day 

Blast off into an out-of-this-world celebration! Learn about space, astronauts, and explore the cosmos. It's time to reach for the stars!

Space travel brings with it a myriad of adventures and discoveries! And the astronauts who get to travel in space are a rare and special type of person. Take time on National Astronaut Day to celebrate these people who have had some of the most unique experiences possible for a human being by traveling beyond the earth and through space!

History of National Astronaut Day

The first American made his adventure into space travel on May 5, 1961, when Alan Bartlett Shepard Jr. made his historic 15 minute suborbital space journey. Since that time, the astronauts and cosmonauts who have continued the expedition into the virtually unknown world of space have been heroes of exploration!

National Astronaut Day was founded to pay honor and respect to the American astronauts of NASA (National Aeronautics and Space Administration). The purpose behind the day is to provide an opportunity for astronauts to share their stories and experiences for the rest of the world. The hope is that these types of stories will encourage and inspire young people to pursue an interest in the space sciences.

The first National Astronaut Day took place in 2017 and the day has been celebrated annually ever since to commemorate that first time of the United States human flight in space. The day was founded by the Uniphi Space Agency, which is a talent and marketing agency that has represented at least 20 different NASA astronauts.

National Astronaut Day Timeline

April, 1961 First astronaut enters space

Russian Cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin is the first human to enter into space. 

May, 1961 First American astronaut launches into space

Just a few weeks after the Russians entered space, Alan Shepard becomes the first American in space. 

July, 1969 First men on the moon

Astronauts Neil Armstrong and “Buzz” Aldrin become the first men on the moon. 

June, 1984 First American woman in space

Sally Ride becomes the first American woman in space, on the Space Shuttle Challenger.

November, 2000 Astronauts live on the space station

The first long-term astronaut residents land on the International Space Station.

How to Celebrate National Astronaut Day

National Astronaut Day is a great time to learn more about astronauts while showing respect and admiration for them. Celebrate the day by implementing some of these ideas:

Read Books About Astronauts

One super way to celebrate and enjoy National Astronaut Day would be to get more educated and learn more about who astronauts are and what they do. An excellent option would be to read a biography about an astronaut. Choose from one of these (or read them all!):

Through the Glass Ceiling to the Stars by Col. Eileen M. Collins (2022). Read the story of this woman who was an aviation pioneer among her peers, as one of the most recognized and admired women in the world.

First Man, The Life of Neil A. Armstrong by James R. Hansen (2005). This biography tells the story of the first man who walked on the moon.

John Glenn, A Memoir by John Glenn (1999). This autobiography reveals interesting details that could only come from an insider not only to the space program but also for American politics.

Sally Ride: America’s First Woman in Space by Lynn Sherr (2014). This definitive biography reveals exclusive highlights from Sally Ride’s family and partner.

Learn Fun Facts About Astronauts

When you celebrate National Astronaut Day, it might be fun to collect some interesting facts that can be shared with friends and family members to raise awareness for the day.

For instance, did you know that astronauts actually have to wear a special kind of diaper? That’s right, these are called ‘maximum absorbency garments’ that need to be worn when they go on long space walks or wear heavy equipment that is difficult to take off and on.

Not only that, but when in space, the bones and muscles of astronauts can easily waste away, so it’s important that astronauts work hard to get enough exercise. Plus, because of microgravity, astronauts can actually get up to 3% taller after spending time in space. They’ll eventually return to their normal height after three to four months back on earth.

Finally, if an astronaut cries in space, their tears don’t roll down their cheeks. Instead, they simply collect on their faces to create large globules of tears. So sad!

Watch a Film About Astronauts

Get involved with the adventure of a lifetime by watching a documentary film showing all about space travel. Or, try watching a movie that was made to portray the unique stories of the various astronauts who have been part of the space program for the last five decades and more, such as one of these:

Apollo 13 (1995). This movie directed by Ron Howard has an all-star cast including Tom Hanks, Kevin Bacon and Bill Paxton, is based on the true story of the Apollo 13 space mission to the moon that was aborted and almost ended in a fatal disaster.

First Man (2018). Based on the book of the same name by James R. Hansen, this movie follows the story of Neil A. Armstrong (played by Ryan Gosling) leading up to the Apollo 11 mission to the moon in 1969.

The Right Stuff (1983). This epic historical film drama is based on the non-fiction novel of the same name, which tells the details of the first 15 years of the US space program. Starring Ed Harris and Scott Glenn.

Lucy in the Sky (2019). Featuring Natalie Portman, this film is loosely based on the life of astronaut Lisa Nowak who was in space in 2006 and spent her time controlling the robotic arms of the International Space Station.

Throw a National Astronaut Day Party

Whether it’s a group of teachers hosting a National Astronaut Day party at school for their students or a gathering of friends who get together to celebrate and honor the day at home, this is a great time to host a party!

Invite guests to wear a space themed costume if they would enjoy dressing up. Serve snacks that are themed around the idea of rocket ships, stars, space, the moon and more. It would be fun to be entertained by playing various games that go along with the theme of astronauts, or watch a film or documentary to help with learning more about who astronauts are and what they do.

Finally, during the party, don’t forget to play a space themed list of music that will keep things moving. Choose songs like Space Oddity (aka Ground Control to Major Tom) by David Bowie; Rocket Man by Elton John; or Man on the Moon by R.E.M.

National Astronaut Day FAQs

How much do astronauts get paid?

An astronaut who works for an agency like NASA may make up to around $100,000 per year.

How many astronauts have died?

Over the past 50 years, 30 astronauts have died while attempting or training for space missions, but only 3 have actually died while in space. 

Do astronauts feel gravity in space?

Yes, astronauts in space still have mass that is impacted by the earth’s gravity, it is just less than when on earth.

Can astronauts see stars from space?

Yes! Astronauts can see the various stars of the Milky Way while in space. 

Are astronauts scientists?

Yes, astronauts typically work as scientists, possessing an education in one of the STEM fields as well as being qualified pilots.

Gemini 9A launched on June 4, 1966 and was flown by Tom Stafford and Gene Cernan. It was the seventh flight of the Gemini program and landed on June 6

Designed by the crew

No evidence the original crew (Elliot See and Charlie Bassett) worked on their own patch before they died on February 28, 1966

Unique shield shape was chosen over dinner with their wives playing a significant role in determining the final design

Depicts flight objectives of rendezvous, docking, and EVA

Shows Gemini spacecraft docked with Agena Target Vehicle

Agena failed to reach orbit so they used an Augmented Target Docking Adapter (the Angry Alligator) instead

Was not replaced on the patch because there wasn’t enough time

Astronaut’s umbilical forms an Arabic numeral “9″

White Roman numeral “IX” (9) behind Gemini and Agena representing mission number

Original patches and authentic reproductions have blue backgrounds, others have black

Names were on a separate piece of fabric worn underneath the patch by the crew

Similar in shape to the patch both Stafford and Cernan would wear for Apollo 10 in 1969

Worn on the right breast

9. Gemini 9A

Date: June 3-6, 1966 (3 days, 20 minutes, 50 seconds)

Crew: Thomas P. Stafford and Eugene A. “Gene” Cernan

Mission Highlights: Elliot See and Charlie Bassett were the original crew for Gemini 9, set to launch in May 1966. In February, they were both killed when their T-38 crashed into the McDonnell aircraft assembly building in which their spacecraft was being built.

The backup crew of Tom Stafford and Gene Cernan then became the prime crew for the mission. The first launch attempt took place on May 17, but in a situation similar to that of Gemini 6 (Tom’s first spaceflight), the Agena Target Vehicle launch failed and forced a cancellation of the rest of the mission. Gemini 9 was rescheduled for June and became Gemini 9A. Mission objectives included docking with the Augmented Target Docking Adapter (which replaced the ATV) and an EVA to be performed by Gene Cernan.

On June 1, the ATDA launched from the Cape, to be followed by Gemini 9A two days later. However, telemetry data showed a problem with the ATDA: while it had successfully reached orbit, the payload fairing appeared to be stuck on the vehicle. The crew confirmed this when they rendezvoused a few hours into the flight. Tom said it looked like “an angry alligator out here rotating around.” The scheduled docking was scrubbed.

The EVA was performed on the third day. Right away, Gene faced several problems, first with his spacesuit, then control outside of the spacecraft. His goal was to test the Astronaut Maneuvering Unit (AMU). Low dexterity caused by both the suit and the Gemini spacecraft made accessing the AMU difficult. Gene’s heart rate was rising, he began to feel tired, and ground control worried that he might pass out. After much deliberation, Tom decided to end the EVA and Gene slowly and painfully returned to the capsule. The AMU was not again tested on Gemini or Apollo flights.

After performing a few scientific experiments, the crew returned to Earth. Reentry and splashdown were among the most accurate of the space program, landing within sight of the recovery ship, the USS Wasp.

CPT-USN Eugene A. ‘Gene’ Cernan (14 March 1934 - 16 Jan 2017)

Gemini 9, Apollo 10, and Apollo 17 astronaut, the last man to set foot on the surface of the moon, passed away today at the age of 82. Cernan, a rough, tough Naval Aviator, A-4 jock, became part of NASA Group 3 in 1963. Gemini 9 in June 1966, proved a harrowing experience for Gene, it was one that taught us many invaluable lessons about EVA in space, a crucial step to the moon. Apollo 10 in May 1969, was to be the final test of the LEM ascent and descent stages and of it’s guidance systems from lunar orbit, a vital test flight that paved the way to Apollo 11′s historic first landing later that year. Apollo 17, the last of the historic 6 Apollo Lunar missions, in December 1972, Gene was in role as Commander of the flight, piloting the LEM along side Harrison Schmitt, landing in the mountainous region of the Taurus-Littrow valley. Gene became the last human of only 12 to set foot on the Moon.