93 a
Command Pilot Gordon Cooper (left) and Pilot Pete Conrad in spacesuits for a simulated test.

“The National Aeronautics and Space Administration plan an eight-day mission which would achieve the longest manned spaceflight to date” (NASA caption).

“During the summer of 1965, the United States began to pull even in the space race with the Soviet Union. The eight-day Gemini V endurance mission doubled America’s spaceflight record set two months earlier. It also tested technology that would help make longer missions possible in the future” (https://www.nasa.gov/feature/gemini-v-paving-the-way-for-long-duration-spaceflight).

93 b
The astronauts are having their spacesuits checked out by NASA technician Alan Rockford (second photograph) at Complex 16.

“The early Gemini flights have shown that man is particularly well suited to perform the scientific investigation conducted in space. He can act as a sensor to observe, monitor, and adapt his own observations. He can also evaluate data and manipulate instruments and equipment. He is able to respond creatively to unexpected phenomena and to improvise.”
NASA associate administrators George Muller and Homer Newell (NASA SP-129, foreword)

93 c
Gordon Cooper and Pete Conrad walking up the ramp toward the elevator at Launch Complex 19 leading to their spacecraft atop the Titan launch vehicle (first photograph) and checking out the Gemini spacecraft (second photograph, taken through the spacecraft’s window) for a simulated mission.

93 d
10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1.Capcom (Mission Control): IGNITION!
000:00:01 Capcom: LIFT-OFF!
000:00:02 Cooper: ... started.
000:00:05 Cooper: We’re on our way.
000:00:05 Capcom: Lift-off 13:59:59 (GMT). Lift-off 13:59:59.
000:00:11 Cooper: Roll Program initiate.
000:00:12 Cooper: Roger on the roll.

93 e
The National Aeronautics and Space Administration launched the Gemini V spacecraft from Pad 19 at 9 a.m. (EST) Aug. 21, 1965, on a planned eight-day orbital mission.

000:00:14 Capcom: Plus 10 seconds.
000:00:22 Cooper: Roll program is finished.
000:00:23 Capcom: Roger.
000:00:24 Cooper: Pitch initiate.
000:00:26 Capcom: Roger on the pitch. You’re looking good.
000:00:27 Cooper: Roger. Feels mighty good. Been a long time getting back.

93 f
Rendezvous and docking had to become routine over the course of the Gemini program so it would be second-nature to Apollo astronauts.To this end, the Gemini spacecraft was designed to rendezvous and dock with the unmanned Agena vehicle, a target that would be launched separately. But before any Gemini could rendezvous with an Agena, NASA had to test the rendezvous equipment on the spacecraft, which meant using the Radar Evaluation Pod (REP), designed to be used with the same rendezvous radar and guidance system developed for use with the Agena.

“The 74-pound package was ejected from the adapter at the back of the spacecraft during the second orbit. The plan called for Gemini V to maneuver away from the instrument package, 6 miles below and 14 miles behind, and then rendezvous with the pod.About half an hour after deploying the REP, Mission Control asked the crew to check the fuel cell heaters to maintain proper pressure in the reactant tanks. The new electricity generators were not performing as expected. While out of radio contact with the ground, the crew found that the pressure in the fuel cells continued to drop and decided to power down the radar and the spacecraft. Tracking the REP was cancelled and consideration was given to bringing the crew back early. However, McDonnell Aircraft engineers conducted quickly arranged tests showing that it was possible for the fuel cells to work, even with low oxygen pressure. With this reassurance, flight director Gene Kranz and his mission control team decided to tell Cooper and Conrad to turn the electricity back on and continue the mission” (from: https://www.nasa.gov/feature/gemini-v-paving-the-way-for-long-duration-spaceflight).

002:13:45 Conrad: We got the REP out at about 15 seconds late. And we’re back on ... at 4 feet a second on our radar.