# Gemini 12 Target
**Wikidata**: [Q26670558](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q26670558)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/gemini-12-target

## Summary
Gemini 12 Target was a spacecraft launched on November 11, 1966, as part of NASA's Gemini program. It was launched using an Atlas SLV-3 Agena-D rocket and served as a target vehicle for the Gemini 12 mission. The spacecraft decayed from orbit in 1966.

## Key Facts
- Launched on November 11, 1966, using an Atlas SLV-3 Agena-D rocket
- Classified as a spacecraft (instance of: spacecraft)
- COSPAR ID: 1966-103A
- Satellite Catalog Number (SCN): 02565
- Launched from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station
- Wikipedia articles available in Latvian (lv) and Polish (pl) languages
- Had 2 sitelinks across Wikimedia projects
- Featured in an image available at https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Special:FilePath/Gemini_and_Agena_D.jpg

## FAQs
### Q: What was the Gemini 12 Target?
A: The Gemini 12 Target was a spacecraft launched on November 11, 1966, to serve as a rendezvous and docking target for the Gemini 12 mission. It was launched using an Atlas SLV-3 Agena-D rocket.

### Q: When was the Gemini 12 Target launched?
A: The Gemini 12 Target was launched on November 11, 1966, at 3:46 PM EST from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station.

### Q: What happened to the Gemini 12 Target after launch?
A: The Gemini 12 Target remained in orbit until 1966 when it decayed from orbit and re-entered Earth's atmosphere.

## Why It Matters
The Gemini 12 Target played a crucial role in NASA's Gemini program, which was essential for developing the techniques and technologies needed for the Apollo moon missions. As a target vehicle, it enabled the Gemini 12 crew to practice critical orbital rendezvous and docking maneuvers that would be necessary for lunar missions. The successful completion of these maneuvers demonstrated that astronauts could reliably navigate and dock with another spacecraft in orbit, a capability that was vital for the Apollo program's lunar landing strategy. The Gemini 12 Target's mission helped validate the Atlas SLV-3 Agena-D launch system and contributed to the overall success of the Gemini program, which bridged the gap between the Mercury and Apollo programs.

## Notable For
- Served as the target vehicle for the final Gemini mission (Gemini 12)
- Launched using the reliable Atlas SLV-3 Agena-D launch system
- Enabled critical orbital rendezvous and docking practice for Apollo missions
- Featured in historical documentation and imagery available through Wikimedia Commons
- Represented the culmination of rendezvous and docking technology development in the Gemini program

## Body
### Technical Specifications
The Gemini 12 Target was launched using an Atlas SLV-3 Agena-D rocket, a reliable expendable launch system developed by the United States. This launch vehicle combination was specifically designed for Gemini program missions requiring rendezvous and docking capabilities.

### Mission Details
The spacecraft was launched on November 11, 1966, at 3:46 PM EST from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station. Its primary mission was to serve as a target for the Gemini 12 spacecraft, allowing astronauts Jim Lovell and Buzz Aldrin to practice orbital rendezvous and docking maneuvers.

### Orbital Characteristics
After launch, the Gemini 12 Target achieved a stable orbit around Earth. The spacecraft remained in orbit until 1966 when it experienced orbital decay and re-entered Earth's atmosphere, burning up upon re-entry.

### Documentation and Legacy
The Gemini 12 Target is documented in various sources, including its COSPAR ID (1966-103A) and Satellite Catalog Number (02565). An image of the Gemini spacecraft and Agena target vehicle is available through Wikimedia Commons, providing visual documentation of this historical spacecraft combination. The mission's success contributed to the overall achievements of the Gemini program and helped pave the way for the Apollo lunar missions.

## References

1. Jonathan's Space Report