![[First Spacewalk]](https://members.tripod.com/~spacefirst/gemini/eva1.jpg)
Spacecraft: Gemini IV spacecraft, Titan II rocket
Launch Pad: LC-19, Cape Kennedy, Florida
Payload: Gemini IV Capsule
Launch: 10:15 am, EST., June 3, 1965
Orbit: 62 orbits completed at an altitude of 159.9 miles.
Mission Duration: 4 days, 1 hour, 56 minutes, 12 seconds
Landing: June 7, 1965 at 27 deg 44 min North, 74 deg, 11 min West
The primary objective for the Gemini IV mission was to evaluate the effects of prolonged spaceflight, test the spacecraft’s capabilities for a 4 day flight, and maintain crew rest and work cycles, and perform 11 experiments. However, what Gemini IV became famous for was a secondary objective that was completed: the first American to “walk” in space. Astronaut Edward H. White completed a 36 minute EVA (extra vehicular activity), the first in NASA history. All but one of the primary objectives were completed during the mission, and all but one of the secondary objectives were met.
James H. McDivitt, Commander
James McDivitt was born June 10, 1929, in Chicago. He received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Aeronautical Engineering from the University of Michigan in 1959, graduating first in his class; an honorary Doctorate in Astronautical Science from the University of Michigan in 1965; an honorary Doctor of Science from Seton Hall University in 1969; an honorary Doctor of Science from Miami University (Ohio) in 1970, and an honorary Doctor of Laws from Eastern Michigan University in 1975. McDivitt joined the Air Force in 1951 and retired in 1972 as a Brigadier General. He flew 145 combat missions during the Korean War in F80s and F-86s. He is a graduate of the USAF Experimental Test Pilot School and the USAF Aerospace Research Pilot Course and flew as an experimental test pilot at Edwards Air Force Base, California. McDivitt was selected as a NASA astronaut in 1962, flying on two spaceflights. He commaned Gemini 4 and later flew on Apollo 9, which tested the workings of the lunar module in Earth orbit. He retired from NASA in 1972.
Edward H. White II, Pilot
Edward H. White was born November 14, 1930, in San Antonio, Texas. He received a Bachelor of Science degree from the United States Military Academy in 1952, a Master of Science degree from the University of Michigan in 1959, and an honorary Doctorate in Astronautics from the University of Michigan in 1965. Following West Point, he received flight training in Florida and Texas, then spent 3.5 years in Germany with an Air Force fighter squadron, flying F-86s and f-100s. In 1959 he attended the Air Force Test Pilot School at Edwards Air Force Base, California, and later was assigned to Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, as experimental test pilot with the Aeronautical System Division. White was selected to be a NASA astronaut in 1962, and flew on only one space mission, Gemini IV. He was to fly as a member of the first manned Apollo mission, but lost his life along with fellow astronauts Virgil Grissom and Roger Chaffee from a fire in the Apollo command module during a launch pad test. The fire of Apollo 1 was on January 27, 1967.
![[White and McDivitt]](https://members.tripod.com/~spacefirst/gemini/whitemcdivitt.jpg)
Click here : Portrait of Astronaut Edward White
Click here: Astronaut Ed White during his EVA.
Click here: Another view of Ed White during his EVA.
Click here: A third view of Astronaut White during his EVA.
Click here: The patch for the Gemini - Titan IV mission.
Click here: Launch of the Gemini - Titan IV mission.
Click here: Another view of Gemini - Titan IV's launch.
Click here: Recovery of the Gemini IV capsule.
Click here: Astronaut Edward White in training for his EVA.
Click here: Portrait of Astronauts Edward White and Jim McDivitt.
Click here: Astronauts White and mcDivitt heading for the launch pad.
Click here: A view of Astronauts White and McDivitt inside the Gemini spacecraft.
Click here: Astronaut Edward White suits up for the Gemini IV mission.
