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DocsTeachThe online tool for teaching with documents, from the National Archives National Archives Foundation National Archives

The Process of Early Space Flight: The Gemini Program

Finding a Sequence

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The Process of Early Space Flight: The Gemini Program

About this Activity

  • Created by:National Archives Education Team
  • Historical Era:Postwar United States (1945 to early 1970s)
  • Thinking Skill:Chronological Thinking
  • Bloom's Taxonomy:Applying
  • Grade Level:Upper Elementary
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Please use a tablet or desktop computer to use this activity.
Most students today are familiar with space exploration, NASA’s shuttle program, and the international space station. However, they are unaware how groundbreaking space exploration was to the world during the 1960s — and how different it looked from the more recent shuttle program that they know.

In this activity, students will learn about the process of space flight in the early years of NASA. Students will sequence a series of photographs from the Gemini missions to learn the steps of a space mission from astronaut training to capsule recovery.
https://www.docsteach.org/activities/student/the-process-of-early-space-flight-the-gemini-program

Suggested Teaching Instructions

This activity can be used during a unit on space exploration. For grades 3-6. Approximate time needed is 45 minutes.

Before opening the activity, conduct a class discussion on space in general. Ask the students to pretend to be a NASA engineer or scientist in the late 1950s and to remember that man has never been to space before. Ask students to consider the following questions:
  • What type of vehicle was used to explore space in NASA’s early years?
  • What space conditions were considered by NASA scientists and engineers when designing a space vehicle?

Then, discuss the actual steps of a space flight and create a list of all the possible steps for a flight. After the discussion, open the activity to reveal the seven documents in random sequence. 

Explain that all documents were created during the Gemini program, NASA’s second manned space program, during the years 1961–1966. The Gemini mission consisted of a two-man crew, and specifically set out to learn new techniques to help future space exploration to the moon. 

Open each photograph and have students guess what step of the space flight process is being documented. If students are struggling, click "Show Hints" for assistance. Finally, place the photos in the appropriate sequence.

When the students have sequenced all of the documents, compare their earlier list of possible steps for a space flight to the correct sequence and discuss:
  • Were there any surprises?
  • What did the students forget or overlook in their list?
  • What did the students include that did not a as a step in the sequencing activity? 

Discuss how space flight during the Gemini program differs from the more recent space shuttle program and how it's the same.

If students need more information on the shuttle program visit NASA's website.

Please note that these photographs come from different Gemini missions, but the sequencing activity will give the students of the process of the mission process.

Documents in this activity

  • Astronaut Edward H. White II's Space Walk on Gemini IV
  • Astronaut Buzz Aldrin Entering the 30' Altitude Chamber
  • Photograph of Gemini 3 Launch
  • Photograph of Gemini 3 Recovery
  • Photograph of Gemini 3 Recovery on the U.S.S. Intrepid
  • Photograph of Gemini 3 with clouds, Atlantic Ocean and Bermuda in Lower Right
  • Gemini 9 Recovery

CC0
To the extent possible under law, National Archives Education Team has waived all copyright and related or neighboring rights to "The Process of Early Space Flight: The Gemini Program".

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