What a remarkable time in America. I remember the introduction of the Mercury seven to the world. It was an exciting time. It was during the cold war and we were in a race with the Soviet Union. The world knew nothing about sending a person into space, nor what that person would be subjected to in weightlessnes, or in reentry.
The seven original astronauts had to be beyond brave as they, not unlike those who were sworn into the military (which they were), promised to sacrifice their life in the interest of the United States of America, if necessary.
I remember each and every launch as astronauts were strapped to the rocket and sent into space. Exhilarating for sure and so dangerous and, we owe much to each of those young men. Thank you Tara.
Stories and information I never heard before. Very interesting. A testimony to their drive to be "Star" in America's Space Program! Thank you, Tara Ross.
Unbelievable! Had no idea what the astronauts endured in the hope of being selected. It’s almost unthinkable that they went through such torture and without explanation. Guess the lesson (and we’ve had to relearn it a few times) is never trust the government. It all sounds strange and today most would question and refuse to accept it. Interesting post, Tara.
Thank you Tara! I was unaware the early astronauts underwent such treatment.
I remember watching some of the early news video clips of the period, later our family, or if in school, our class watched some live launches on the TV.
I remember when JFK was assassinated. The nuns told us the President had been shot. We went to church to pray, and then were sent home.
Wow, these dates surprise me. I had no idea NASA even existed before JFK made his famous speech about going to the moon. Thought it all started from that point on.
What a remarkable time in America. I remember the introduction of the Mercury seven to the world. It was an exciting time. It was during the cold war and we were in a race with the Soviet Union. The world knew nothing about sending a person into space, nor what that person would be subjected to in weightlessnes, or in reentry.
The seven original astronauts had to be beyond brave as they, not unlike those who were sworn into the military (which they were), promised to sacrifice their life in the interest of the United States of America, if necessary.
I remember each and every launch as astronauts were strapped to the rocket and sent into space. Exhilarating for sure and so dangerous and, we owe much to each of those young men. Thank you Tara.
Stories and information I never heard before. Very interesting. A testimony to their drive to be "Star" in America's Space Program! Thank you, Tara Ross.
Unbelievable! Had no idea what the astronauts endured in the hope of being selected. It’s almost unthinkable that they went through such torture and without explanation. Guess the lesson (and we’ve had to relearn it a few times) is never trust the government. It all sounds strange and today most would question and refuse to accept it. Interesting post, Tara.
OMG! Sounds like POW torture…those guys were tuff! 💪🏻🇺🇸
Pete Conrad was nagged and nagged for a stool sample. (He was constipated for days, and got more and more resentful of the scientist’s demands.)
Eventually he was able to pass a marble-sized specimen. He tied a red ribbon around it before he turned it in!
That made me laugh out loud. Good for him.
It is recalled in Tom Wolfe’s The Right Stuff
Yep Pete definitely had a sense of humor lol 😆
No candidate would allow those things today, so there would be no NASA.
Truth.
They perseverance served them all well. It was amazing to watch the Mercury, Gemini and Apollo programs grow and succeed as I grew up. 🙏❤️💪🇺🇲
Thank you Tara! I was unaware the early astronauts underwent such treatment.
I remember watching some of the early news video clips of the period, later our family, or if in school, our class watched some live launches on the TV.
I remember when JFK was assassinated. The nuns told us the President had been shot. We went to church to pray, and then were sent home.
It was hard to believe. Everyone was crying.
Wow, these dates surprise me. I had no idea NASA even existed before JFK made his famous speech about going to the moon. Thought it all started from that point on.
Thank you, Tara.
WOW! I never knew this! What incredible men, thanks Tara!
Thanks for telling this story and what these men had to endure to get into space. Amazing detail for such diligent service!