Gemini 5

A few carmakers are starting to build automobiles that are powered by fuel cells. The cells use a chemical reaction to combine hydrogen and oxygen, producing electricity and water.
Some of the first fuel cells were built to power the two-seat Gemini spacecraft. In fact, the first test model was orbiting Earth 50 years ago today, aboard Gemini 5.
Gemini was designed to develop and test the equipment and techniques needed to get astronauts to the Moon. Gemini 5 was scheduled to last eight days — the minimum time expected for a trip to the Moon and back. Gemini couldn’t carry enough batteries for such a long flight, though, so engineers developed fuel cells to keep its lights burning.
Gemini 5 launched on August 21st, 1965.
AUDIO: 3, 2, 1, 0, ignition. Liftoff! We’re off on the hour...
When they reached orbit, astronauts Gordon Cooper and Pete Conrad were trying to rendezvous with a small pod they’d ejected into space. After the flight, Cooper explained what happened next:
COOPER: About t