Carpintero

Project Mercury Astronauts Signed Photograph.

1961 · ref. 148754 — Langley Air Force Base 1961. Large color semi-glossy photograph of the Project Mercury astronauts signed by six of the Mercury Seven. This group shot was taken in front of a Convair F106-B aircraft at Langley Air Force Base on January 20 1961. Inscribed or signed next to their respective images in black felt tip: "We are seven privileged men Scott Carpenter"; "Space is spectacular! Gordon Cooper"; "'Beginnings' John Glenn"; "Wally Schirra A slow Mach II aircraft!"; "It was a pleasure to help start a new era! Alan Shepard"; and "The rudder is still working - DK Slayton." Matted. In fine condition. The photograph measures 13.75 inches by 10.5 inches. The entire piece measures 18 inches by 16 inches. A very sharp piece. In response to the Soviet Union's launch Sputnik 1 satellite on October 4 1957 President Dwight D. Eisenhower created a new civilian space agency whose primary goal would be to compete with the Soviets in space. The following year Project Mercury was announced with the stated aim of launching a man into Earth's orbit and returning him safely. The seven astronauts selected for the program all members of the United States armed forces were Gus Grissom Alan Shepard John Glenn Jr. Gordon Cooper Wally Schirra and D.K. Slayton. In 1962 Glenn would become the first American to orbit the earth while Grissom would tragically lose his life in the Apollo 1 disaster on January 27 1967. unknown