The Gemini 11 mission was launched on September 12th with the primary objectives of performing two spacewalks, docking practice, and automatic reentry. Over the duration of the mission, 8 scientific experiments were performed, including a test of the synergistic effect of weightlessness and radiation on white blood cells. The docking procedure with the Agena target vehicle went very smoothly and required far less fuel than expected. The first spacewalk involved Gordon setting up a movie camera and retrieving equipment from a micrometeorite experiment. Following that, he detached one end of the 30 meter tether from the Agena and attached it to the Gemini's docking bar. However, the task proved exhaustive and, despite resting for a while, the faceplate clouded up on his spacesuit, requiring him to return to the spacecraft.
Following his return, the Agena fired its propulsion system, bringing the docked spacecrafts to a record 1374.1km altitude above the earth. Gordon once again departed the spacecraft for two hours of photographic experiments, returning without mishap. After some maneuvering procedures, the spacecraft executed automatic reentry successfully, splashing down in the Atlantic Ocean.
