August 29th 1965: Gemini V returns to earth

Two American astronauts have splashed down safely in the Atlantic after setting a space endurance record. Charles Conrad, 35, and Gordon Cooper, 38, spent just short of eight days orbiting the earth in their space ship Gemini V -- three days longer than any previous missions to space. The capsule dropped into the Atlantic south-west of Bermuda at 1256 GMT, 80 miles (129 km) away from their recovery vessel, aircraft carrier Lake Champlain. Gemini V returned to Earth slightly earlier than expected because the Nasa control centre at Houston feared a storm was developing in the landing area. The two men -- who travelled 3,312,993 miles (5,331,745 km) and orbited the Earth 120 times -- are reported to be in "excellent condition".