Conrad was also one of the smallest of the astronauts in height and build so he found the confinement of the Gemini capsule less onerous.
He was then back up Commander for Gemini 8 and commander of Gemini 11 in which a first orbit rendevous and docking was achieved as well as using the Agena to boost the crew to a new altitude record of 800 miles.
Conrad was due to be back-up commander of the first flight of the full Saturn V/Apollo into high earth orbit.
Charles P. ConradJr., known to the world as the charismatic third astronaut to walk on the moon, died July 8th 1999 in Ojai California from injuries sustained in a motorcycle accident.
Conrad's ship was struck by lightning as it launched, and Conrad's considerable skills as both pilot and astronaut were brought to bear.
Conrad, his wife and several friends were making a motorcycle trip to Monterey from their home in Huntington Beach, CA on July 8th, 1999 when the energetic retired astronaut lost control of his Harley Davidson.