The United States had put a man into space and orbit but they were still behind the Soviets in terms of accomplishments and they were no where near putting a man on the moon! NASA needed time to test techniques and equipment. Project Gemini was that bridge between early space and lunar landing. Tune in to The Curiosity Chronicles to hear the first part of Project Gemini!
Sources (Split between this and the next Gemini episode because they don't all fit in one):
https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/gemini/index.html
https://www.nasa.gov/specials/gemini_gallery/
https://nasa.fandom.com/wiki/Orbit_Attitude_and_Maneuvering_System
Shepard, Alan, et al. Moon Shot: The Inside Story of America’s Race to the Moon. Open Road, 1994.
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/menieres-disease/symptoms-causes/syc-20374910
https://www.nasa.gov/content/profile-of-john-glenn/
https://www.britannica.com/biography/John-Glenn
https://www.nasa.gov/content/theodore-freeman-honored-in-50th-anniversary-memorial-ceremony/
https://www.nasa.gov/feature/remembering-nasa-astronauts-elliot-see-and-charles-bassett
https://www.space.com/39341-john-young-smuggled-corned-beef-space.html