Window Assembly, Left-Hand, Gemini VI-A

These four window components are from the left-hand hatch window of Gemini VI-A, which was in front of Walter M. "Wally" Schirra, commander. 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 Gemini VI-A flight lasted 26 hours and 16 orbits.

The window components were likely flown on Gemini VI-A and replaced afterward during refurbishment for display. NASA transferred the spacecraft and components to the Smithsonian in 1968.