60 Years After Gemini: Newly Processed Images Reveal Incredible Details Author: Eric Berger, Senior Space Editor Published: September 13, 2025 Category: Space --- Overview Celebrating 60 years since Project Gemini spaceflights, NASA's groundbreaking missions that paved the way to the Moon. Gemini missions, alongside Mercury, marked the dawn of human space exploration and humanity’s steps into space. A new book, Gemini & Mercury Remastered by Andy Saunders, showcases 300 meticulously restored photographs from NASA's 1960s Mercury and Gemini programs, revealing details and stories behind the images. The article is based on an interview with Andy Saunders discussing the book's creation and highlights of key missions. --- Historical Context Gemini 4’s anniversary in June marked the first American spacewalk by Ed White. Gemini 5, a crucial mission demonstrating long-duration spaceflight needed for lunar missions, was completed 60 years ago. Early NASA astronauts faced extreme risks with minimal safety protocols. These missions are largely forgotten today as most contemporaries have passed away, but they remain vital in space history. --- About the Book: Gemini & Mercury Remastered A follow-up to Saunders’ previous Apollo Remastered book. Restores original film images using digital technology to reveal unseen details. Combines imagery with deep historical research to narrate human stories of bravery in space pursuits. Features iconic images like Buzz Aldrin’s selfie on Gemini 12 and Ed White’s historic EVA. --- Cameras and Photography in Mercury and Gemini Mercury missions started with automated porthole cameras; John Glenn insisted on taking a handheld camera himself. Glenn famously bought a $40 camera from a drugstore, which NASA adapted for space use. Early photos were technical records, not aesthetic, and many Mercury original films are damaged or scribbled on. Gemini introduced the use of Hasselblad medium-format cameras, resulting in higher-quality images. Gemini sat at higher orbits than Mercury, producing some of the finest Earth photographs in space history. --- The Restoration and Selection Process Saunders reviewed about 5,000 photographs and 16mm films from Mercury and Gemini. Initial culling reduced this to ~800 images; the final book contains 300 selected photos. Selection criteria: aesthetic impact, historical or mission significance, or images that tell narrative elements. Films were digitally stacked and enhanced to reveal hidden details such as astronauts' skin pores or spacecraft conditions. --- Notable Stories Highlighted Gemini 4 and Ed White’s Spacewalk: The first US EVA featured dramatic challenges, including a hatch that was difficult to close post spacewalk. Ed White later died tragically in the Apollo 1 fire, underscoring the dangers early astronauts faced. Gemini 9A - "Spacewalk from Hell": Astronaut Gene Cernan’s spacewalk was plagued by overheating, visor fogging, near blindness, and communication loss. It showcased the dangers and challenges of early extravehicular activity (EVA). The mission highlighted how novices at EVA struggled to maneuver in space. John Glenn’s Mercury Re-entry: A potentially catastrophic heat shield failure occurred during Glenn’s re-entry. Saunders' image processing reveals Glenn calmly observing the disintegrating retro pack glowing outside his window. --- Reflections and Insights The restored images evoke emotional depth and convey the extreme risks astronauts took. Earth photos at high altitudes show stunning vistas and underscore the historic significance of early human spaceflight. Reading mission transcripts and listening to recorded conversations brought a visceral sense of tension and courage. --- Future Prospects Andy Saunders hopes to explore further space flight eras, including Apollo-Soyuz, Skylab,