A Titan II missile lifts from its path. This flight down the South Atlantic target range
makes history. This is the booster that will carry the Gemini space vehicle on the nation's
next manned space flight program. What makes this test stand as a milestone is a camera
that is mounted on the second stage of the booster. It has been designed to record spectacular
close-ups. As the Titan nears the fringe of space, the first stage shuts down. Now watch.
The second stage ignites and with a mighty blast pushes the first stage away in shattered pieces.
This is what an astronaut in the Gemini will see. At 17,000 miles an hour, the second stage leaves
the abandoned first stage far behind as it soars 5,000 miles down range. The curvature of the Earth
is plainly visible. Through the magic of the camera, Earthlings take their first ride into
space.