This artifact was an integral part of the Gemini 10 spacecraft, which was launched on July 18, 1966, carrying John Young and Michael Collins. The successful operation of this hatch was crucial to Collins' two spacewalks (EVAs). During the first EVA, Collins stood up in the open hatch in order to take astronomical photographs. During the second, Collins used a hand-held maneuvering unit to fly to Agena 8, where he recovered a scientific package. Gemini hatches also were designed to open very rapidly in case the astronauts ejected from the spacecraft before or during their launch on the Titan II booster.

This hatch was removed from the spacecraft after flight and was stored at the NASA Manned Spacecraft Center (now Johnson Space Center) in Houston. In 1970 it was transferred to the Smithsonian. In 2005 it was reinstalled on the spacecraft during restoration.