1965-06-03 USA Gemini 4

1965 GT-4 Orbit Covers cachet cover with launch day postmark. The objective of the Gemini IV mission was to evaluate and test the effects of four days in space on the crew, equipment and control systems. Signed by Edward White and James McDivitt in fine tip black ink. Canceled in Cape Canaveral on launch day June 3, 1965. - RRAuction
Gemini 4 (GT-4), launched on June 3, 1965, was the second Gemini manned flight crewed by James A. McDivitt and Edward H. White II. The highlight of the mission was the first American extra-vehicular activity (EVA) (or known as “space walk”) on June 3, 1965, during which White remained tethered outside the spacecraft for 22 minutes. NASA moved up the “space walk” schedule after Soviet cosmonaut, Alexei Leonov, performed the first ever EVA on March 18 1965. Gemini 4 was the first multi-day space flight by the United States, designed to show that it was possible for humans to remain in space for extended lengths of time. The four-day 66-orbit flight did not break the five-day record set by the Soviet Vostok 5 in June 1963. Subsequent Gemini missions were longer, to prove endurance exceeding the time required to fly to the Moon and back.

Photo: Gemini 4 crew, Edward White and James McDivitt.
Photo: Edward White and James McDivitt having fun with a stethoscope after their extensive physical examination on June 1, 1965.
Photo: Gemini 4 crew prepare for the launch in the "white room", June 3, 1965.
Gemini 4 cover postmarked at Cape Canaveral on launch day June 3, 1965. Signed by Edward White.
Photo: Alan Shepard (right) and Frank Borman (center) at Pad 19 blockhouse during the last few seconds countdown before the Gemini 4 spacecraft liftoff. Borman is a backup crew of Gemini 4.
Photo: US President Johnson watching the launch of the Gemini 4 space flight on June 3, 1965.
The Gemini program was managed by the Manned Spacecraft Center (MSC), located in Houston, Texas. Starting with Gemini 4, MSC's Mission Control Center took over flight control duties from the Mercury Control Center at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station. Gemini 4 was the first flight to be controlled by the new Mission Control Center at the Manned Spacecraft Center in Houston, Texas. At different times the Gemini 4 spacecraft came into range of 20 tracking stations spread from the Canary Islands to Tananarive. Data beamed from the spacecraft to the stations was relayed to the computer center at Goddard near Washington, D.C. There it was digested and fed to the Mission Control Center at Houston.
The medical condition of the Gemini 4 astronauts were checked when they pass over Grand Canary station.
Photo: Flight surgeon, Charles A. Berry, monitors the health status of Edward White and James McDivitt from the Mission Control Center in Houston.
Photo: Map showing Edward White space walk during the third orbit around the earth.
Gemini 4 tracking station cover from Antigua, applied with a small rubber stamp that indicates the space flight details.
Photo: Astronaut Edward White emerges from the Gemini-4 spacecraft.
Photo: Astronaut Edward White held his space gun above him as he floated on his back after leaving the Gemini 4 capsule for a walk in space. The open door of the capsule shows at the bottom.
Gemini 4 Celestial cachet cover. Pilot Edward H. White II successfully accomplished the first U.S. spacewalk during the Gemini IV mission. Signed in ink by Edward H. White and James A. McDivitt in fine tip black ink. Canceled in Cape Canaveral on launch day June 3, 1965. - RegencyStamps
Photo: Edward White propels himself past his open hatch of Gemini-4 spacecraft during his space walk. This picture was taken by the command pilot, James A. McDivitt with a 16 mm movie camera.
Photo: USS Wasp was the prime recovery ship for the Gemini 4 crew.
A rare USS Wasp hand cancel, postmarked on the recovery day June 7, 1965, signed by Francis M Rogallo (Aeronautical Engineer aka "Father of Hang Gliding"), Clarence O. Fiske (Recovery Helicopter Pilot), Fred Kelly (Flight Surgeon), Dennis W. Bowman (team lead frogman), Roger H. Bates (Frogman), Joseph E. Heinlein (Commanding Officer UDT 21).
Photo: The Gemini 4 capsule splashdown in the North Atlantic Ocean on June 7, 1965.

Photo: Gemini 4 crew hoisted from the life raft to the recovery helicopter.
Photo: James McDivitt and Edward White aboard USS Wasp.
Photo: Recovery of the Gemini 4 capsule.
Gemini 4 USS Wasp recovery ship cover with Beck rubber stamped cachet. Signed by James A. McDivitt and Edward H. White.
Photo: Edward White and James McDivitt about to undergo a thorough physical checkup.
An unusual GT-4 USS Wasp Beck rubber stamped cachet in blue without the ocean printed. Autopen signatures James A. McDivitt and Edward H. White.
Photo: Edward White demonstrating to crew members of the USS Wasp, how he made his way out of the Gemini 4 capsule for his 20 minutes space walk, June 7, 1965.
Gemini 4 USS Wasp Captain's cover cancelled on recovery day June 7, 1965, signed by James A. McDivitt and Edward H. White, with a printed signature of the commanding officer. - RRAuction
Photo: Meal time for James A. McDivitt and Edward H. White on the USS Wasp.
A rare GT-4 USS Wasp Beck CREW Cover, only 25 covers without the "B" number printed exist.
A GT-3 printed Beck cachet cover re-used for GT-4, postmarked on June 7, 1965, aboard USS Wasp.
Photo: Edward White describing his spaceflight mission to crew members of the USS Wasp during meal time on the USS Wasp, June 8, 1965.
Cover postmarked on Gemini 4 recovery day June 7, 1965, signed by the ship's Captain James W. Conger. An additional USS Wasp hand cancel on Gemini 7 recovery day December 18, 1965.
Photo: James McDivitt and Edward White presented a flown USA flag to President Johnson on June 17, 1965.
A postcard with "Space Twin" stamps and signed by Edward White, the first American to conduct a spacewalk during the Gemini 4 mission on June 3, 1965. - Ira & Larry Goldberg Coins & Collectibles
Photo: Astronauts meet Cosmonaut - Yuri Gagarin handshake with Edward White and James McDivitt on June 19, 1965 at Le Bourget Airport in Paris. Smiling in the middle is US Vice-President Hubert Humphrey.
(Reference from Gemini 4)