In 1959, John Glenn was selected as a Project Mercury astronaut. On Feb. 20, 1962, Glenn blasted into space aboard Mercury's Friendship 7 capsule, then traveled around the planet three times ...

L. Gordon Cooper Jr. (1927-2004): Gordon Cooper piloted Faith 7 on a 22-orbit mission on May 15-16, 1963, bringing to an end Project Mercury. He also served as command pilot of the Gemini 5 ...

The first seven astronauts NASA ever had, known as the Original Seven were selected and announced to the country on April 9, 1959. Back row: Astronauts Shepard, Grissom, Cooper.

On April 9, 1959, NASA named its first seven astronauts. The Mercury Seven or the “Original Seven” as they were called, were: Navy aviators M. Scott Carpenter, Walter M. Schirra Jr. and Alan B ...

The original Mercury 7 astronauts were chosen 50 years ago today by NASA. The test pilots were culled from every branch of military service and became overnight celebrities more than two years ...

Until then, here’s to the original Mercury 7. “Photographing America’s First Astronauts” offers a much-needed nostalgic look back. Louise Shepard shows off the medal her husband received ...

On April 9, 1959, NASA introduced its first astronaut class: the Mercury 7. The seven members made history, and became the subject of fascination and adoration. John Glenn, who died Thursday at ...

Original Mercury astronaut Scott Carpenter, 88, died on Oct. 10, 2013 following a stroke. Read the Full Story Here. Above, Carpenter, prime pilot for the Mercury-Atlas 7 flight, is seen in Hanger ...

The mission was also Tom Stafford's last spaceflight. The Apollo Command Module Pilot, Vance Brand, would go on to fly on ...

Scott Carpenter, one of the original Mercury 7 astronauts and the second American to orbit the Earth in the early days of space travel, died Oct. 10 at a hospice in Denver.

On April 9, 1959, NASA introduced its first astronaut class: the Mercury 7. The seven members made history, and became the subject of fascination and adoration. John Glenn, who died Thursday at ...