On this day in 1959 – April 9th – NASA selected its first group of astronauts known as the Mercury Seven.
They were the pioneers of the US manned space program: Scott Carpenter, Gordon Cooper, John Glenn, Gus Grissom, Wally Schirra, Alan Shepard, and Deke Slayton. None of the Mercury Seven are still alive. John Glenn, who died last year, was the last of the group.
Last edited by Mona - Astronomy; 04/10/17 12:06 PM.