NASA Selects Mercury Seven: America Enters the Space Race
NASA introduced its first astronauts to the press on April 9, 1959: Scott Carpenter, Gordon Cooper, John Glenn, Gus Grissom, Wally Schirra, Alan Shepard, and Deke Slayton. All were military test pilots, all were married with children, all were shorter than 5'11" to fit in the tiny Mercury capsule. The selection process began with 508 candidates and involved exhaustive physical and psychological testing, including ice water enemas and psychiatric interviews designed to provoke emotional reactions. Life magazine paid $500,000 for exclusive access to their personal stories. The Mercury Seven became instant celebrities, hailed as Cold War warriors in a space race the US was badly losing after Sputnik. Alan Shepard flew first, on May 5, 1961.
April 9, 1959
67 years ago
Key Figures & Places
NASA
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Project Mercury
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Astronaut
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Mercury program
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Mercury Seven
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Project Mercury
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NASA
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Astronaut
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Mercury Seven
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Alan Shepard
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Gus Grissom
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John Glenn
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Scott Carpenter
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Wally Schirra
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Deke Slayton
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Gordon Cooper
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United States
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