Mercury Seven

The Mercury Seven was the first group of NASA astronauts selected in 1959 to pioneer human spaceflight. Comprising seven military pilots—Scott Carpenter, Gordon Cooper, John Glenn, Gus Grissom, Wally Schirra, Alan Shepard, and Deke Slayton—they were chosen for their skills, experience, and ability to handle the risks of early space missions. Their efforts laid the foundation for the U.S. space program, successfully conducting pioneering flights that demonstrated human capabilities in space, ultimately leading to the first Americans orbiting the Earth and advancing space exploration.