James McDivitt

In June 1965, Gemini 4 brought the first American spacewalk — Ed White spent 23 minutes outside the spacecraft. The four-day flight with James McDivitt was also the longest American spaceflight up to that time.

3 March 1969

Apollo 9

In March 1969, Apollo 9 gave the Lunar Module its first crewed test — in the safety of Earth orbit. The crew of McDivitt, Scott and Schweickart rehearsed the rendezvous and docking of the two spacecraft, essential for the later landing on the Moon.