Apr 2 1959

From The Space Library

Seven astronauts were selected for Project Mercury after a series of the most rigorous physical and mental tests ever given to U.S. test pilots. Chosen from a field of 110 candidates, the finalists were all qualified test pilots : Capts. Leroy Gordon Cooper, Jr., Virgil I. Grissom, and Donald K. Slayton, (USAF) ; Lt. Malcolm S. Carpenter, Lt. Comdr. Alan B. Shepard, Jr., and Lt. Comdr. Walter M. Schirra, Jr. (USN) ; and Lt. Col. John H. Glenn (USMC).

Lt. Gen. Bernard A. Schriever, Commander AFBMD, was named Commander of Air Research and Development Command.

USAF Bold Orion ballistic missile test launched from B-47 jet bomber.

The advanced manned space program to follow Project Mercury was discussed at a NASA Staff Conference held in Williamsburg, Va. Three reasons for such a program were suggested:

1. Preliminary step to development of spacecraft for manned interplanetary exploration. 2. Extended duration work in the space environment. 3. Support of the military space mission.

Among areas requiring study were the cost of an equatorial launch site, adequacy of tracking stations and DOD-NASA coordination of tracking systems, and the need for NASA's own propulsion test stands and facilities.

"NASA Staff Conference, Williamsburg, Va., April 2-5, 1959," pp. 2-3.