g_v_bw_o_n (S-64-31224)
“GEMINI TRAINER—Astronaut Richard F. Gordon, Jr., at the pilot’s position of the Gemini Translation and Docking Simulator.”
Gordon is actually at the command pilot’s position. To my knowledge, he was never considered for the role of Command Pilot. He & Pete Conrad were the back-up Gemini VIII crew, with Conrad as Command Pilot. Subsequently, he and Conrad did fly on Gemini XI.
If the date on the verso is correct, this photograph was taken prior to his assignment to Gemini XI, and likely prior to his assignment as Gemini VIII back-up Pilot. Although he would’ve been training for Extravehicular Activity (EVA) for both Gemini VIII & XI, despite him sitting in the open hatch here, I’m sure this is not EVA-related. Both due to it being prior to a specific mission assignment, but also since this is the Gemini Translation and Dynamic Docking Simulator, therefore not intended for EVA simulation…I think.
So, I assume this to be a generic NASA Gemini photo op.
g_v_bw_o_n (S-64-31224)
“GEMINI TRAINER—Astronaut Richard F. Gordon, Jr., at the pilot’s position of the Gemini Translation and Docking Simulator.”
Gordon is actually at the command pilot’s position. To my knowledge, he was never considered for the role of Command Pilot. He & Pete Conrad were the back-up Gemini VIII crew, with Conrad as Command Pilot. Subsequently, he and Conrad did fly on Gemini XI.
If the date on the verso is correct, this photograph was taken prior to his assignment to Gemini XI, and likely prior to his assignment as Gemini VIII back-up Pilot. Although he would’ve been training for Extravehicular Activity (EVA) for both Gemini VIII & XI, despite him sitting in the open hatch here, I’m sure this is not EVA-related. Both due to it being prior to a specific mission assignment, but also since this is the Gemini Translation and Dynamic Docking Simulator, therefore not intended for EVA simulation…I think.
So, I assume this to be a generic NASA Gemini photo op.