DS, signed “Charles Conrad, Jr." and "Gordon Cooper,” two pages, 8 x 10.5, no date. Flight report for the “Gemini V Mission” issued by astronauts Charles Conrad and Gordon Cooper to the National Aeronautic Association, which reads: “The Gemini V Spacecraft, third manned spacecraft of the Gemini program, was launched from Cape Kennedy, Florida, at 13:59:59.5 Greenwich mean time on Saturday, August 21, 1965.
The command pilot was Lt. Colonel Leroy Gordon Cooper and the pilot was Lt. Commander Charles Conrad. The Gemini launch vehicle performed nominally, launching Gemini V on a 72° azimuth and inserting the spacecraft into orbit 5 minutes and 33.3 seconds after lift-off at an altitude of 531, 068 feet (87.4 nautical miles). The velocity attained at insertion was 25, 805 feet/second. After several planned maneuvers by the command pilot using the space- craft orbit attitude and maneuvering system, the spacecraft attained a perigee altitude of 107.8 nautical miles and an apogee altitude of 165.0 nautical miles in the 61st revolution. The two astronauts successfully performed sixteen scientific, medical, and photographic experiments including orbital changes to simulate rendezvous with another vehicle. A nominal deorbit (retrofire) was accomplished on the 120th revolution over the Pacific Ocean near Hawaii. Space-craft splash down occurred in the Southwest Atlantic (29°47'N, 69°45'W) about 290 nautical miles southwest of Bermuda at 12:55:15.0 Greenwich mean time on Sunday, August 29, 1965.
Two of three primary objectives of the mission were met – these were:
- Demonstrate manned orbital flight in the Gemini spacecraft for approximately 8 days.
- Evaluate the effects of exposing the two-man crew to long periods of weightlessness in preparation for missions of even longer duration.
- The third objective evaluate – the performance of the rendezvous guidance and navigation system using the rendezvous evaluation pod (REP) was not completely satisfied because of difficulties with the spacecraft electrical power system early in flight. Although this prevented carrying out the REP exercise as planned, data were obtained on the performance of the rendezvous radar using both the REP immediately after ejection from the spacecraft and a ground based transponder.
From launch to touchdown, the flight totaled 7 days 22 hours 55 minutes and 15. 5 seconds, a new duration record for manned space flight. Total distance traveled exceeded 2.9 million nautical miles. The astronauts successfully coped with all problems encountered and postflight medical examinations indicated the two pilots to be in excellent physical condition.” Signed at the conclusion in black felt tip by Gordon and in blue ballpoint by Conrad. In fine condition, with some old tape residue to the top edge.
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