Gemini 11 Original photo stamped on back World Book Encyclopedia Science Service,inc 516 Travis Street Houston Texas Gemini 11 (officially Gemini XI) is the 9th manned mission of the Gemini program and the 15th American manned space mission. It took place from September 12 to 15, 1966. It was the first mission to achieve a space rendezvous during the first orbit, and holds the record for the highest orbit for a manned mission. Photo by Richard Gordon and Charles Conrad jr.