The Gemini spacecraft was a series of crewed space missions conducted by NASA between 1965 and 1966. It served as a bridge between the earlier Mercury program and the later Apollo program. Gemini missions focused on testing space travel techniques, including orbital maneuvers and docking procedures, which were essential for future lunar missions. Each Gemini spacecraft could carry two astronauts and was equipped with advanced technology for its time. The program successfully completed 12 missions, allowing astronauts to spend extended periods in space and conduct experiments, ultimately paving the way for the historic Apollo 11 moon landing in 1969.