May 12 1959

From The Space Library

NASA announced training program for seven Project Mercury astronauts to provide them with technical knowledge and skills required to pilot the Nation's manned orbital capsule.

University of Minnesota scientist under ONR contract launched unmanned balloon to 100,000 feet, where first positive measurement of intense solar protons associated with a solar flare was made.

USAF Thor launched GE Mark 2 nose cone 1,500 miles down AMF, recovered data capsule contained photograph of the earth from 300-mile altitude.