Buzz Aldrin’s Spacewalk (1966)

Buzz Aldrin’s Spacewalk (1966) marks November 12, 1966, when Buzz Aldrin began the spacewalks of Gemini 12, the final Gemini mission — and proved that astronauts could work effectively outside a spacecraft.

What happened on November 12, 1966?

On November 12, 1966, Buzz Aldrin began the spacewalks of Gemini 12, the final Gemini mission. During his extravehicular activity, he photographed himself — taking what became known as the first space selfie. The image, snapped during the spacewalk, would become one of the most famous photographs of the early space age.

But Buzz Aldrin’s Spacewalk (1966) was about far more than a photograph. Aldrin’s spacewalks, using handholds and foot restraints he had helped design, proved astronauts could work effectively outside a spacecraft — solving the problem that had defeated earlier spacewalkers, and clearing the way for the Apollo Moon landings. On November 12, 1966, the question of whether humans could work in the vacuum of space was answered: yes.

The spacewalks of Buzz Aldrin’s Spacewalk (1966) were the crowning achievement of Gemini 12, the final Gemini mission. The Gemini programme had been flying since 1965, building the skills America would need to reach the Moon. Aldrin’s successful extravehicular activity closed the programme on a triumph — and opened the door to Apollo.

Who was Buzz Aldrin?

Buzz Aldrin was the astronaut who, on November 12, 1966, began the spacewalks of Gemini 12 — the final Gemini mission — and took what became known as the first space selfie, photographing himself during extravehicular activity. His spacewalks proved that astronauts could work effectively outside a spacecraft, solving the problem that had defeated earlier spacewalkers.

Aldrin brought something special to the spacewalk: he had helped design the handholds and foot restraints he used. The earlier spacewalkers had struggled — without something to hold onto and brace against, every simple task in weightlessness became a fight. Aldrin’s equipment, and the techniques he developed for using it, turned spacewalking from a struggle into work. The clearing of the way for the Apollo Moon landings began with the hardware Buzz Aldrin carried out the hatch on November 12, 1966.

And the Apollo Moon landings did come — including Aldrin’s own walk on the Moon in 1969. The astronaut who proved humans could work outside a spacecraft on Gemini 12 would, less than three years later, walk on the Moon itself. Buzz Aldrin’s Spacewalk (1966) was the rehearsal; the Moon was the performance.

Why Buzz Aldrin’s Spacewalk (1966) matters

Buzz Aldrin’s Spacewalk (1966) matters because it proved astronauts could work effectively outside a spacecraft — solving the problem that had defeated earlier spacewalkers, and clearing the way for the Apollo Moon landings. Before November 12, 1966, extravehicular activity was a known danger: earlier spacewalkers had been defeated by the simple physics of weightlessness, unable to do useful work outside their capsules.

Aldrin changed that. Using handholds and foot restraints he had helped design, his spacewalks on Gemini 12 — the final Gemini mission — showed that with the right equipment and training, an astronaut could work in the vacuum of space. The problem that had defeated earlier spacewalkers was solved. And with it solved, the Apollo Moon landings — including Aldrin’s own walk on the Moon in 1969 — became possible. No working spacewalk, no Moon landing: the chain of the space age runs through November 12, 1966.

The first space selfie, taken during the spacewalk, became an icon — but the real legacy of Buzz Aldrin’s Spacewalk (1966) is the working spacewalk itself. Every spacewalk since, from the Moon landings to the building of the International Space Station, descends from the techniques Buzz Aldrin proved on Gemini 12.

How to mark Buzz Aldrin’s Spacewalk (1966)

• Learn the story. Read about Gemini 12, the final Gemini mission, and how Buzz Aldrin’s spacewalks — using handholds and foot restraints he had helped design — proved astronauts could work effectively outside a spacecraft.
• Look at the first space selfie. During the spacewalk, Aldrin photographed himself during extravehicular activity — what became known as the first space selfie. Find the image and see the Earth behind him.
• Follow the chain to the Moon. The spacewalks cleared the way for the Apollo Moon landings, including Aldrin’s own walk on the Moon in 1969. Trace the line from Gemini 12 to Apollo 11.
• Think about problem-solving. The problem that had defeated earlier spacewalkers was solved by equipment Aldrin helped design. Consider what it takes to turn a struggle into a technique — in space or anywhere.

Buzz Aldrin’s Spacewalk (1966): frequently asked questions

When did Buzz Aldrin’s spacewalk take place?
On November 12, 1966, Buzz Aldrin began the spacewalks of Gemini 12.

What was Gemini 12?
Gemini 12 was the final Gemini mission.

What was the first space selfie?
During the spacewalk, Aldrin photographed himself during extravehicular activity — taking what became known as the first space selfie.

Why did the spacewalk matter?
Aldrin’s spacewalks, using handholds and foot restraints he had helped design, proved astronauts could work effectively outside a spacecraft — solving the problem that had defeated earlier spacewalkers, and clearing the way for the Apollo Moon landings, including Aldrin’s own walk on the Moon in 1969.

Related observances

Buzz Aldrin’s Spacewalk (1966) is one of the history moments remembered on this date. Read more about November 12 on November 12 Holidays, Observances and History.

Why we remember Buzz Aldrin’s Spacewalk (1966)

We remember Buzz Aldrin’s Spacewalk (1966) because it proved astronauts could work effectively outside a spacecraft. On November 12, 1966, Buzz Aldrin began the spacewalks of Gemini 12, the final Gemini mission — and took what became known as the first space selfie, photographing himself during extravehicular activity. Using handholds and foot restraints he had helped design, his spacewalks solved the problem that had defeated earlier spacewalkers, and cleared the way for the Apollo Moon landings, including Aldrin’s own walk on the Moon in 1969. The selfie made the history books; the working spacewalk made the Moon possible.