On this day in space! Sept. 14, 1966: NASA's Gemini 11 astronauts set altitude record for Earth orbit that went unbroken for 58 years

NASA’s Gemini 11 mission achieved a remarkable feat on September 14, 1966, establishing a new world record for altitude in Earth orbit. Astronauts Gene Cernan and John Young reached an astounding peak of 732.6 miles above the surface during their flight. This unprecedented height remained unbroken until September 15, 2023, marking a significant milestone in early American space exploration. The mission was critical to NASA’s ongoing efforts to develop techniques for rendezvous and docking with other spacecraft. Data collected by Gemini 11 contributed significantly to understanding orbital mechanics and supporting future missions like Apollo.