# Gemini 11 Target
**Wikidata**: [Q26670541](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q26670541)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/gemini-11-target

## Summary
Gemini 11 Target was an Agena-D target vehicle launched on September 12, 1966, as part of NASA's Gemini program. It served as a docking target for the Gemini 11 spacecraft during a critical orbital rendezvous and docking mission. The vehicle decayed from orbit in 1966 after completing its mission objectives.

## Key Facts
- Launched on September 12, 1966, using an Atlas SLV-3 Agena-D launch vehicle
- Served as the docking target for the Gemini 11 crewed mission
- Assigned COSPAR ID 1966-080A for orbital tracking purposes
- Classified as a spacecraft and expendable launch system component
- Featured in an image showing the Agena Target Vehicle approximately 80 feet from Gemini-11 spacecraft
- Available in Latvian (lv) and Polish (pl) Wikipedia language editions
- Had a sitelink count of 2 across Wikimedia projects
- Assigned a unique identifier (scn) value of 02414
- Decayed from orbit in 1966 after mission completion

### Q: What was the Gemini 11 Target?
A: The Gemini 11 Target was an Agena-D target vehicle launched on September 12, 1966, to serve as a docking target for the Gemini 11 crewed spacecraft during NASA's Gemini program.

### Q: When was the Gemini 11 Target launched?
A: The Gemini 11 Target was launched on September 12, 1966, using an Atlas SLV-3 Agena-D launch vehicle as part of NASA's Gemini program.

### Q: What happened to the Gemini 11 Target after the mission?
A: The Gemini 11 Target decayed from orbit in 1966 after completing its mission objectives with the Gemini 11 spacecraft.

## Why It Matters
The Gemini 11 Target played a crucial role in advancing NASA's capabilities for orbital rendezvous and docking, which were essential skills for the Apollo lunar missions. As part of the Gemini program's objectives, this target vehicle enabled astronauts to practice complex orbital maneuvers that would later be critical for lunar orbit operations and the eventual moon landing. The successful docking with this target demonstrated that astronauts could accurately navigate to and connect with another spacecraft in orbit, a capability that was previously unproven. This mission represented a significant step forward in space technology and operational procedures, helping to bridge the gap between early spaceflight and the more ambitious goals of the Apollo program. The data and experience gained from these rendezvous and docking exercises directly contributed to the success of later missions and the overall advancement of human spaceflight capabilities.

## Notable For
- Served as the critical docking target for Gemini 11's historic rendezvous mission
- Represented the Atlas SLV-3 Agena-D's reliability as a launch vehicle for complex orbital operations
- Enabled practice of orbital docking procedures essential for Apollo lunar missions
- Featured in one of the most iconic images of the Gemini program showing close proximity to crewed spacecraft
- Contributed to the development of space rendezvous techniques that remain fundamental to modern spaceflight

## Body
### Technical Specifications and Classification
The Gemini 11 Target was classified as both a spacecraft and a component of the Atlas SLV-3 Agena-D expendable launch system. This dual classification reflects its role as both an independent orbital vehicle and part of a larger launch architecture. The vehicle was assigned a unique identifier (scn) value of 02414, which was used for tracking and documentation purposes within NASA's mission management systems.

### Launch and Mission Profile
Launched on September 12, 1966, the target vehicle was placed into a precise orbit to facilitate the Gemini 11 mission's objectives. The launch utilized the proven Atlas SLV-3 Agena-D configuration, which combined the Atlas booster with the Agena-D upper stage and target vehicle. This launch system had become the standard for Gemini target vehicles, providing the necessary performance and reliability for complex orbital operations.

### Orbital Operations and Documentation
The vehicle was assigned COSPAR ID 1966-080A, following international standards for space object identification. This designation allowed for consistent tracking and documentation across international space agencies and research organizations. The target vehicle's orbit was carefully calculated to provide optimal conditions for the Gemini 11 crew's docking attempts, including appropriate phasing and lighting conditions for visual acquisition and approach.

### Mission Documentation and Legacy
The Gemini 11 Target is documented in one of the most famous images from the Gemini program, showing the Agena Target Vehicle at a distance of approximately 80 feet from the Gemini-11 spacecraft. This photograph, available through Wikimedia Commons, has become an iconic representation of the rendezvous and docking capabilities demonstrated during the Gemini program. The mission's success, facilitated by this target vehicle, directly contributed to the confidence and procedures used in subsequent Apollo missions and continues to influence modern spaceflight operations.

## References

1. Jonathan's Space Report