[Gemini V]

THE UNITED STATES TAKES THE LEAD IN THE SPACE RACE

Gemini V, the third crewed Gemini mission, marked the first time that the U.S. held the world record for spaceflight duration, breaking the Soviet Union’s record set by Vostok 5 in 1963. Command Pilot Gordon Cooper Jr. and Pilot Pete Conrad were determined to break the record and, much to NASA’s dismay, adopted the slogan “8 Days or Bust.”

Cooper and Conrad set the new record on 26 August 1965. They were able to (almost) achieve their goal due to new fuel cells that generated enough electricity to power the time that would be required to make it to the Moon and back. Their total flight lasted just an hour and five minutes short of eight full days.