Cable, Drogue Parachute, Gemini VI-A

This cable was attached to the drogue parachute that deployed at high altitude to stabilize the reentering Gemini VI-A spacecraft before the main parachute deployed. Walter M. "Wally" Schirra commanded Gemini VI-A and Thomas P. "Tom" Stafford was the pilot. Gemini VI was originally scheduled to rendezvous and dock with an Agena target vehicle in October 1965, but after that vehicle was destroyed during launch, the mission was renumbered VI-A and changed to a rendezvous with Gemini VII. Gemini VI-A was launched on December 15, 1965, eleven days after Gemini VII, which acted as the rendezvous target. Three orbits after its launch, Gemini VI-A approached to within 6 inches of Gemini VII, the first rendezvous in space history.

The cable was flown on Gemini VI-A and recovered afterwards from the ocean. NASA transferred the spacecraft and components to the Smithsonian in 1968.