Titan II was initially developed and utilized as an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) but was later repurposed as a space launch vehicle for NASA. A total of twelve Titan IIs were employed in NASA's Gemini manned space program during the mid-1960s.
The first Titan II launch, designated Missile N-2, took place on March 16, 1962, from LC-16 at Cape Canaveral. It traveled 5,000 miles (8,046 km) downrange, successfully placing its reentry vehicle in the Ascension splash net. The primary concern during this launch was the high rate of longitudinal vibrations experienced during the first stage burn, which caused significant worry among NASA officials, as they believed this could be detrimental to astronauts on future manned Gemini flights.
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| Cover postmarked at PAFB on the day of the first test flight of Titan II, March 16, 1962. |
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| Photo: The first successful launch of Titan II rocket on March 16, 1962. |
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| Sazin cachet cover postmarked at Port Canaveral on the day of the first test flight of Titan II, March 16, 1962. |
(Reference from
LGM-25C Titan II)
