{"id":631475,"date":"2024-04-09T08:00:00","date_gmt":"2024-04-09T12:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/?p=631475"},"modified":"2024-04-16T14:16:34","modified_gmt":"2024-04-16T18:16:34","slug":"mercury-7-to-artemis-ii","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/history\/mercury-7-to-artemis-ii\/","title":{"rendered":"From NASA\u2019s First Astronaut Class to Artemis II: The Importance of Military Jet Pilot Experience"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"\" class=\"padding-top-5 padding-bottom-3 width-full maxw-full hds-module hds-module-full wp-block-nasa-blocks-article-intro\"><div class=\"width-full maxw-full article-header\"><div class=\"margin-bottom-2 width-full maxw-full\"><p class=\"label carbon-60 margin-0 margin-bottom-3 padding-0\">6 min read<\/p><h1 class=\"display-48 margin-bottom-2\">From NASA\u2019s First Astronaut Class to Artemis II: The Importance of Military Jet Pilot Experience<\/h1><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n<div id=\"\" class=\"hds-media hds-module wp-block-image\"><div class=\"margin-left-auto margin-right-auto nasa-block-align-inline\"><div class=\"hds-media-wrapper margin-left-auto margin-right-auto\"><figure class=\"hds-media-inner hds-cover-wrapper hds-media-ratio-fit \"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/s69-01060-e1710364665486.jpg\"><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2048\" height=\"1501\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/s69-01060-e1710364665486.jpg?w=2048\" class=\"attachment-2048x2048 size-2048x2048\" alt=\"The 7 Project Mercury astronauts\" style=\"transform: scale(1); transform-origin: 57% 50%; object-position: 57% 50%; object-fit: cover;\" block_context=\"nasa-block\" loading=\"eager\" \/><\/a><\/figure><figcaption class=\"hds-caption padding-y-2\"><div class=\"hds-caption-text p-sm margin-0\">The original Mercury astronauts at the McDonnell Aircraft Corp. in May 1959. The astronauts are left to right: M. Scott Carpenter, L. Gordon Cooper Jr., John H. Glenn Jr., Virgil I. \u201cGus\u201d Grissom, Walter M. \u201cWally\u201d Schirra, Alan B. Shepard Jr., and Donald K. \u201cDeke\u201d Slayton.<\/div><div class=\"hds-credits\">NASA<\/div><\/figcaption><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>The Mercury 7<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>On April 9, 1959, reporters and news media crammed into the ballroom of the Dolley Madison House in Washington\u2014the location of NASA Headquarters at that time\u2014to learn the names of the first American astronauts who came to be known as the Mercury 7. Public Information Director Walter Bonney kicked off the announcement by pointing to the seven men sitting on stage. \u201cThese are our astronaut volunteers,\u201d he announced. \u201cTake your pictures as you will, gentlemen.\u201d One of those men on the dais, Deke Slayton, a test pilot from Edwards Air Force Base, recalled the pandemonium he witnessed. \u201cI\u2019ve never seen anything like it, before or since.\u201d He described the event as, \u201ca frenzy of light bulbs and questions\u2026it was some kind of roar.\u201d His colleague, Wally Schirra, a test pilot from Naval Air Station Patuxent River, called the media\u2019s interest scary because he soon came to realize that their, \u201cprivate lives were in jeopardy.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n<div id=\"\" class=\"nasa-gb-align-center padding-y-3 maxw-full width-full display-flex flex-align-center hds-module wp-block-nasa-blocks-blockquote\"><div class=\"grid-container grid-container-block display-flex flex-column flex-justify-center padding-0\">\n\t\t<div class=\"grid-col-12 desktop:display-flex mobile:display-block\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"blockquote-icon margin-bottom-3\">\n\t\t\t\t<svg class=\"tablet:square-4 square-4 margin-right-3\" version=\"1.1\" aria-hidden=\"true\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" xmlns:xlink=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/1999\/xlink\" x=\"0px\" y=\"0px\" viewBox=\"0 0 3000 3000\" style=\"enable-background:new 0 0 3000 3000;\" xml:space=\"preserve\"> <g> <path d=\"M586.7,1429.7c-10.7,1.5-21.4,2.8-33.9,4.5c6.9-26.6,12.7-50.7,19.5-74.6c32.4-114.1,78.5-222.2,146.8-319.5 c90.2-128.5,202.5-235.3,327.7-329.1c8.4-6.3,16.7-12.6,25.3-19.1c-66.3-105.1-131.5-208.6-197.3-313.1c-3.5,1.2-5.5,1.6-7.2,2.6 C714.4,469,576.1,575.7,456,705.3c-126,135.9-226.2,289.1-303,457.8c-98.8,217.1-151.3,444-147.2,683.3 c1.7,100.5,12.9,199.6,41.1,296.3C93.7,2303,182.2,2433,326.7,2520.1c176.9,106.7,366.8,126.8,563.4,70.5 c150.9-43.2,260.9-138.9,327.2-282.5c33.4-72.5,47.8-149.4,52-228.7c6.5-122.8-14.1-239.5-74.3-348.1 C1074.6,1514.5,832.7,1394.2,586.7,1429.7z\"><\/path><path d=\"M2912.5,1722c-129.9-210.9-320.2-309.4-567.9-296c-22.1,1.2-44,5.1-67.4,7.9c2.2-9.6,4-17.9,6.1-26.2 c37.9-153.6,99.3-296,198.8-420.5c77.8-97.4,167.1-182.9,265.8-258.8c15.6-12,31.3-23.9,47.9-36.5 c-66.2-105.1-131.9-209.2-197.2-312.8c-3.5,1.1-5.1,1.2-6.4,2c-167.2,95.6-316.1,213.7-443.2,358.8 c-105.1,119.9-191.1,252.3-259.5,396.3c-95.5,201-152.1,411.6-159.1,634.8c-3.9,125.5,4.8,249.7,40.1,371 c46.7,160.8,135.7,290.9,280.5,378.7c165.7,100.5,344.8,123,531.2,78.8c172.4-40.8,296.4-143.9,366.3-308.5 c28.5-67.2,40.6-138,44.6-210.5C3000.2,1953.3,2979.9,1831.4,2912.5,1722z\"><\/path><\/g><\/svg>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<div class=\"blockquote-content\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"margin-bottom-4\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"font-weight-extralight line-height-sm margin-top-0 section-heading-sm\"><span class=\"section-heading-sm\">I've never seen anything like it, before or since. <\/span><\/h2>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"display-flex\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"blockquote-image hds-cover-wrapper margin-right-3\"><figure class=\"hds-media-background  \"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1423\" height=\"1920\" src=\"https:\/\/images-assets.nasa.gov\/image\/LRC-1959-B701_P-02365\/LRC-1959-B701_P-02365~large.jpg?w=1423&h=1920&fit=clip&crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"Deke Slayton\" style=\"transform: scale(1); transform-origin: 50% 50%; object-position: 50% 50%; object-fit: cover;\" block_context=\"nasa-block\" srcset=\"https:\/\/images-assets.nasa.gov\/image\/LRC-1959-B701_P-02365\/LRC-1959-B701_P-02365~large.jpg?w=1423&h=1920&fit=crop&crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 1423w, https:\/\/images-assets.nasa.gov\/image\/LRC-1959-B701_P-02365\/LRC-1959-B701_P-02365~large.jpg?w=222&h=300&fit=crop&crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 222w, https:\/\/images-assets.nasa.gov\/image\/LRC-1959-B701_P-02365\/LRC-1959-B701_P-02365~large.jpg?w=768&h=1036&fit=crop&crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 768w, https:\/\/images-assets.nasa.gov\/image\/LRC-1959-B701_P-02365\/LRC-1959-B701_P-02365~large.jpg?w=759&h=1024&fit=crop&crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 759w, https:\/\/images-assets.nasa.gov\/image\/LRC-1959-B701_P-02365\/LRC-1959-B701_P-02365~large.jpg?w=1138&h=1535&fit=crop&crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 1138w, https:\/\/images-assets.nasa.gov\/image\/LRC-1959-B701_P-02365\/LRC-1959-B701_P-02365~large.jpg?w=296&h=399&fit=crop&crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 296w, https:\/\/images-assets.nasa.gov\/image\/LRC-1959-B701_P-02365\/LRC-1959-B701_P-02365~large.jpg?w=445&h=600&fit=crop&crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 445w, https:\/\/images-assets.nasa.gov\/image\/LRC-1959-B701_P-02365\/LRC-1959-B701_P-02365~large.jpg?w=667&h=900&fit=crop&crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 667w, https:\/\/images-assets.nasa.gov\/image\/LRC-1959-B701_P-02365\/LRC-1959-B701_P-02365~large.jpg?w=889&h=1199&fit=crop&crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 889w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1423px) 100vw, 1423px\" \/><\/figure><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"grid-col-11\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"blockquote-credit-name line-height-sm margin-0\">Deke Slayton<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"blockquote-credit-title line-height-sm padding-0 margin-0\">Former NASA Astronaut<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<p>The first class of astronauts were all test pilots: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/former-astronaut-m-scott-carpenter\/\">Scott Carpenter<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/former-astronaut-l-gordon-cooper\/\">Gordon Cooper<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/former-astronaut-john-h-glenn\/\">John Glenn<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/former-astronaut-virgil-i-grissom\/\">Gus Grissom<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/former-astronaut-walter-wally-schirra\/\">Wally Schirra<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/former-astronaut-alan-shepard\/\">Alan Shepard<\/a>, and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/former-astronaut-donald-k-deke-slayton\/\">Deke Slayton<\/a>. The men, as the media reported, had similar backgrounds, education, and skills. Obvious connections also included their age and race: all were white men in their thirties. Every one of them was married, had children, and were Protestants. They even donned similar outfits that day: suits with white shirts and ties.<\/p>\n\n\n<div id=\"\" class=\"hds-media hds-module wp-block-image\"><div class=\"margin-left-auto margin-right-auto nasa-block-align-inline\"><div class=\"hds-media-wrapper margin-left-auto margin-right-auto\"><figure class=\"hds-media-inner hds-cover-wrapper hds-media-ratio-cover \"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/b59-00453.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1627\" height=\"2048\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/b59-00453.jpg?w=1627\" class=\"attachment-2048x2048 size-2048x2048\" alt=\"The Mercury 7 astronauts pose around a boilerplate capsule\" style=\"transform: scale(1); transform-origin: 53% 66%; object-position: 53% 66%; object-fit: cover;\" block_context=\"nasa-block\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/b59-00453.jpg 3256w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/b59-00453.jpg?resize=238,300 238w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/b59-00453.jpg?resize=768,967 768w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/b59-00453.jpg?resize=813,1024 813w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/b59-00453.jpg?resize=1220,1536 1220w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/b59-00453.jpg?resize=1627,2048 1627w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/b59-00453.jpg?resize=318,400 318w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/b59-00453.jpg?resize=477,600 477w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/b59-00453.jpg?resize=715,900 715w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/b59-00453.jpg?resize=953,1200 953w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/b59-00453.jpg?resize=1589,2000 1589w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1627px) 100vw, 1627px\" \/><\/a><\/figure><figcaption class=\"hds-caption padding-y-2\"><div class=\"hds-caption-text p-sm margin-0\">The seven Mercury astronauts pose around a boiler plate capsule. Counterclockwise from the top left they are Walter M. Schirra, John H. Glenn Jr., Donald K. Slayton, Virgil I. Grissom, Alan B. Shepard Jr., M. Scott Carpenter, and Gordon Cooper Jr.<\/div><div class=\"hds-credits\">NASA<\/div><\/figcaption><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<p>Throughout the sixties, NASA considered jet pilot experience an important skill for anyone in the astronaut corps. Even when NASA selected two groups of scientist-astronauts, one in 1965 and another in 1967, they too learned to fly high-speed aircraft. Those without military jet pilot experience attended a year-long course that the Air Force called Undergraduate Pilot Training, and once they completed the program, they became military-qualified jet pilots.<\/p>\n\n\n<div id=\"\" class=\"nasa-gb-align-center nasa-button-link padding-y-1 padding-x-0 hds-module wp-block-nasa-blocks-related-link\">\n\t<a href=\"https:\/\/plus.nasa.gov\/video\/astronauts-number-1\/\" target=\"_self\" class=\"button-primary button-primary-md link-external-true\" aria-label=\"Watch the story of the selection and training of the Mercury astronauts on NASA+\" rel=\"noopener\">\n\t\t<span class=\"line-height-alt-1\">Watch the story of the selection and training of the Mercury astronauts on NASA+<\/span>\n\t\t<svg viewBox=\"0 0 32 32\" fill=\"none\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><circle class=\"button-primary-circle\" cx=\"16\" cy=\"16\" r=\"16\"><\/circle><path d=\"M8 16.956h12.604l-3.844 4.106 1.252 1.338L24 16l-5.988-6.4-1.252 1.338 3.844 4.106H8v1.912z\" class=\"color-spacesuit-white\"><\/path><\/svg>\n\t<\/a>\n\n\t<\/div>\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Adding Diversity to the Astronaut Corps<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>In the summer of 1976, NASA announced the space agency would be accepting applications for the first class of Space Shuttle astronauts, and encouraged women and minorities to apply. Almost 20 years after that first astronaut announcement, NASA included six women and four minority astronaut candidates in the 1978 class. Of the 35 selected, 15 were named pilots and 20 were mission specialists (scientists who would perform experiments in space and spacewalks). All the pilot astronauts named had similar backgrounds to the Mercury 7. Like their predecessors, they were white male test pilots with backgrounds in aviation, engineering, and science with one unique distinction: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/former-astronaut-frederick-d-gregory\/\" data-type=\"topic\" data-id=\"298273\">Frederick D. Gregory<\/a>, an African American research test pilot from the NASA Langley Research Center in Virginia. It was not until 1990 that <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/former-astronaut-eileen-collins\/\" data-type=\"gallery\" data-id=\"297405\">Eileen Collins<\/a>, a graduate of U.S. Air Force Test Pilot School, became NASA\u2019s first female pilot astronaut. Unlike the earlier scientist-astronauts, the mission specialists selected in 1978 and later classes did not have the opportunity to become military qualified jet pilots. They were required, however, to fly a certain number of hours per month in the back seat of a T-38, a jet trainer the pilot astronauts use to maintain their flight proficiency.<\/p>\n\n\n<div id=\"\" class=\"hds-media hds-module wp-block-image\"><div class=\"margin-left-auto margin-right-auto nasa-block-align-inline\"><div class=\"hds-media-wrapper margin-left-auto margin-right-auto\"><figure class=\"hds-media-inner hds-cover-wrapper hds-media-ratio-none \"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/image-article\/1978-astronaut-class\/\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1041\" height=\"1256\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/s78-26481-orig.jpg?w=1041\" class=\"attachment-2048x2048 size-2048x2048\" alt=\"Montage of thirty-five portrait photos of 1978 astronaut class members\" style=\"transform: scale(1); transform-origin: 30% 48%; object-position: 30% 48%; object-fit: cover;\" block_context=\"nasa-block\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/s78-26481-orig.jpg 1041w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/s78-26481-orig.jpg?resize=249,300 249w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/s78-26481-orig.jpg?resize=768,927 768w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/s78-26481-orig.jpg?resize=849,1024 849w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/s78-26481-orig.jpg?resize=332,400 332w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/s78-26481-orig.jpg?resize=497,600 497w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/s78-26481-orig.jpg?resize=746,900 746w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/s78-26481-orig.jpg?resize=995,1200 995w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1041px) 100vw, 1041px\" \/><\/a><\/figure><figcaption class=\"hds-caption padding-y-2\"><div class=\"hds-caption-text p-sm margin-0\">The astronaut class of 1978 was NASA\u2019s first new group of astronauts since 1969. This class was notable for many reasons, including having the first African-American and Asian-American astronauts, and the first women.<\/div><div class=\"hds-credits\">NASA<\/div><\/figcaption><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<p>Even as NASA encouraged women and minorities to apply to be astronauts over the years, and more met the basic qualifications as they earned advanced degrees in engineering, medicine, and science, neither group was ever a majority of those selected as candidates. It was more than fifty years before women made up half of those selected in 2013; people of color have never been a majority of any class. Recent astronaut classes are more likely to reflect America\u2019s diverse population, including the last group to be selected in 2021. This group, called the \u201cFlies,\u201d included several minority candidates and four women.<strong> <\/strong>(The class, which graduated in March 2024, also included two international astronauts from the United Arab Emirates, and all are now eligible for a flight assignment.) Flight experience continues to remain important, however. Of the ten Americans selected, four were test pilots. Another, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/humans-in-space\/astronauts\/nasa-astronaut-nichole-ayers\/\">Major Nichole Ayers<\/a>, was a combat aviator from the United States Air Force.<\/p>\n\n\n<div id=\"\" class=\"hds-media hds-module wp-block-image\"><div class=\"margin-left-auto margin-right-auto nasa-block-align-inline\"><div class=\"hds-media-wrapper margin-left-auto margin-right-auto\"><figure class=\"hds-media-inner hds-cover-wrapper hds-media-ratio-cover \"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/51731898421-f3fc56f08f-o-1.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2048\" height=\"1152\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/51731898421-f3fc56f08f-o-1.jpg?w=2048\" class=\"attachment-2048x2048 size-2048x2048\" alt=\"NASA announced its 2021 astronaut candidate class on Dec. 6, 2021. The 10 candidates, pictured here in an event at Ellington Field near NASA\u2019s Johnson Space Center in Houston are Nichole Ayers, Christopher Williams, Luke Delaney, Jessica Wittner, Anil Menon, Marcos Berr\u00edos, Jack Hathaway, Christina Birch, Deniz Burnham, and Andre Douglas. UAE Astronaut Candidates Nora AlMatrooshi and Mohammad AlMulla stand alongside them. Credit: NASA\/Robert Markowitz\" style=\"transform: scale(1); transform-origin: 50% 50%; object-position: 50% 50%; object-fit: cover;\" block_context=\"nasa-block\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/51731898421-f3fc56f08f-o-1.jpg 4762w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/51731898421-f3fc56f08f-o-1.jpg?resize=300,169 300w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/51731898421-f3fc56f08f-o-1.jpg?resize=768,432 768w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/51731898421-f3fc56f08f-o-1.jpg?resize=1024,576 1024w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/51731898421-f3fc56f08f-o-1.jpg?resize=1536,864 1536w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/51731898421-f3fc56f08f-o-1.jpg?resize=2048,1152 2048w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/51731898421-f3fc56f08f-o-1.jpg?resize=400,225 400w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/51731898421-f3fc56f08f-o-1.jpg?resize=600,338 600w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/51731898421-f3fc56f08f-o-1.jpg?resize=900,506 900w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/51731898421-f3fc56f08f-o-1.jpg?resize=1200,675 1200w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/51731898421-f3fc56f08f-o-1.jpg?resize=2000,1125 2000w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 2048px) 100vw, 2048px\" \/><\/a><\/figure><figcaption class=\"hds-caption padding-y-2\"><div class=\"hds-caption-text p-sm margin-0\">NASA’s 2021 astronaut class graduated on Mar. 5, 2024. The 10 candidates, pictured here in an event at Ellington Field near NASA\u2019s Johnson Space Center in Houston are Nichole Ayers, Christopher Williams, Luke Delaney, Jessica Wittner, Anil Menon, Marcos Berr\u00edos, Jack Hathaway, Christina Birch, Deniz Burnham, and Andre Douglas. UAE Astronaut Candidates Nora AlMatrooshi and Mohammad AlMulla stand alongside them. <\/div><div class=\"hds-credits\">NASA\/Robert Markowitz<\/div><\/figcaption><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">The Artemis II Crew<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Almost 64 years to the day after the Mercury 7 announcement, NASA and CSA (Canadian Space Agency) revealed the names of the four astronauts assigned to the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/mission\/artemis-ii\/\">Artemis II<\/a> mission. The flight will test and prove that the Orion spacecraft\u2019s systems\u2014including its life support, communication, and navigation systems\u2014function as they were designed while a crew is aboard, ahead of future crewed missions to the Moon.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>As NASA Administrator Bill Nelson introduced the crew, which included a woman, a person of color, and a Canadian national, he identified them as representatives of America\u2019s creed: \u201c<em>E pluribus unum<\/em>\u2014out of many, one.\u201d The four-member team included Commander <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/humans-in-space\/astronauts\/g-reid-wiseman\/\">Reid Wiseman<\/a>, Pilot <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/humans-in-space\/astronauts\/victor-j-glover\/\">Victor Glover<\/a>, and Mission Specialists <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/humans-in-space\/astronauts\/christina-koch\/\">Christina Koch<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.asc-csa.gc.ca\/eng\/astronauts\/canadian\/active\/bio-jeremy-hansen.asp\" rel=\"noopener\">Jeremy Hansen<\/a>. (Half of this crew came from the 2013 astronaut class, which was equally weighted between men and women.) Artemis II will be the first crewed mission to circle the Moon since Apollo. NASA\u2019s Artemis Generation represents a distinct shift from the sixties\u2014when white men from the United States of America landed on the Moon\u2014and hopes to inspire and engage the next generation by demonstrating that space is for everyone, no matter their race or gender. This crew exemplifies the global coalition NASA has built and its commitment to include international partners as well as commercial partners in this grand adventure.<\/p>\n\n\n<div id=\"\" class=\"hds-media hds-module wp-block-image\"><div class=\"margin-left-auto margin-right-auto nasa-block-align-inline\"><div class=\"hds-media-wrapper margin-left-auto margin-right-auto\"><figure class=\"hds-media-inner hds-cover-wrapper hds-media-ratio-cover \"><a href=\"https:\/\/images-assets.nasa.gov\/image\/KSC-20230920-PH-FMX01_0428\/KSC-20230920-PH-FMX01_0428~large.jpg?w=1920&h=1280&fit=clip&crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint\" rel=\"noopener\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1920\" height=\"1280\" src=\"https:\/\/images-assets.nasa.gov\/image\/KSC-20230920-PH-FMX01_0428\/KSC-20230920-PH-FMX01_0428~large.jpg?w=1920&h=1280&fit=clip&crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint\" class=\"attachment-2048x2048 size-2048x2048\" alt=\"The Artemis II crew during a September 2023 test\" style=\"transform: scale(1.2); transform-origin: 50% 50%; object-position: 50% 50%; object-fit: cover;\" block_context=\"nasa-block\" srcset=\"https:\/\/images-assets.nasa.gov\/image\/KSC-20230920-PH-FMX01_0428\/KSC-20230920-PH-FMX01_0428~large.jpg?w=1920&h=1280&fit=crop&crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 1920w, https:\/\/images-assets.nasa.gov\/image\/KSC-20230920-PH-FMX01_0428\/KSC-20230920-PH-FMX01_0428~large.jpg?w=300&h=200&fit=crop&crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 300w, https:\/\/images-assets.nasa.gov\/image\/KSC-20230920-PH-FMX01_0428\/KSC-20230920-PH-FMX01_0428~large.jpg?w=768&h=512&fit=crop&crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 768w, https:\/\/images-assets.nasa.gov\/image\/KSC-20230920-PH-FMX01_0428\/KSC-20230920-PH-FMX01_0428~large.jpg?w=1024&h=683&fit=crop&crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 1024w, https:\/\/images-assets.nasa.gov\/image\/KSC-20230920-PH-FMX01_0428\/KSC-20230920-PH-FMX01_0428~large.jpg?w=1536&h=1024&fit=crop&crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 1536w, https:\/\/images-assets.nasa.gov\/image\/KSC-20230920-PH-FMX01_0428\/KSC-20230920-PH-FMX01_0428~large.jpg?w=400&h=267&fit=crop&crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 400w, https:\/\/images-assets.nasa.gov\/image\/KSC-20230920-PH-FMX01_0428\/KSC-20230920-PH-FMX01_0428~large.jpg?w=600&h=400&fit=crop&crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 600w, https:\/\/images-assets.nasa.gov\/image\/KSC-20230920-PH-FMX01_0428\/KSC-20230920-PH-FMX01_0428~large.jpg?w=900&h=600&fit=crop&crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 900w, https:\/\/images-assets.nasa.gov\/image\/KSC-20230920-PH-FMX01_0428\/KSC-20230920-PH-FMX01_0428~large.jpg?w=1200&h=800&fit=crop&crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 1200w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px\" \/><\/a><\/figure><figcaption class=\"hds-caption padding-y-2\"><div class=\"hds-caption-text p-sm margin-0\">NASA astronauts (left to right) Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, and Christina Koch, and CSA (Canadian Space Agency) astronaut Jeremy Hansen were assigned to fly on the Artemis II mission to the Moon.<\/div><div class=\"hds-credits\">NASA<\/div><\/figcaption><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<p>Like many who came before them, three of the four astronauts assigned to this historic mission are military-qualified jet pilots. Wiseman and Glover were both test pilots; Hansen flew as a fighter pilot for the Canadian Air Force. Test pilots regularly assess how new vehicles perform and have experience evaluating experimental aircraft. Astronauts with backgrounds as test pilots have traditionally been among those selected to fly new spacecraft for the first time. They have a strong understanding of the systems that they are monitoring, which helps them to identify and gather the type of data the space agency is seeking from this flight. The safety of future Artemis crews depends on this information.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>While the Astronaut Office might look different from how it did in 1959, the decision to select test pilots for the first class of astronauts continues to influence and shape ideas about who is best suited to be an astronaut and fly in space. They are accustomed to working in a fast-paced environment and thrive under pressure. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/people\/robert-r-gilruth\/\" data-type=\"people\" data-id=\"209116\">Bob Gilruth<\/a>, the father of human spaceflight, called the decision to select test pilots to fly on Project Mercury in 1959, \u201cone of the best decisions in the program. It made it quite simple and logical to delegate flight control and command functions to the pilot,\u201d of the spacecraft. The importance of that decision continues to endure today.<\/p>\n\n\n<div id=\"\" class=\"nasa-gb-align-full width-full maxw-full padding-x-3 padding-y-0 nasa_template_article_b hds-module hds-module-full wp-block-nasa-blocks-credits-and-details\">\n<section class=\"padding-x-0 padding-top-5 padding-bottom-2 desktop:padding-top-7 desktop:padding-bottom-9\">\n\t<div class=\"grid-row grid-container maxw-widescreen padding-0\">\n\t\t<div class=\"grid-col-12 desktop:grid-col-2 padding-right-4 margin-bottom-5 desktop:margin-bottom-0\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"padding-top-3 border-top-1px border-color-carbon-black\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"margin-bottom-2\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"heading-14\">Share<\/h2>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"padding-bottom-2\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<ul class=\"social-icons social-icons-round\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"social-icon social-icon-x\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/intent\/tweet?via=NASA&text=From%20NASA%E2%80%99s%20First%20Astronaut%20Class%20to%20Artemis%20II%3A%20The%20Importance%20of%20Military%20Jet%20Pilot%20Experience&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.nasa.gov%2Fhistory%2Fmercury-7-to-artemis-ii%2F\" aria-label=\"Share on X.\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg width=\"1200\" height=\"1227\" viewBox=\"0 0 1200 1227\" fill=\"none\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M714.163 519.284L1160.89 0H1055.03L667.137 450.887L357.328 0H0L468.492 681.821L0 1226.37H105.866L515.491 750.218L842.672 1226.37H1200L714.137 519.284H714.163ZM569.165 687.828L521.697 619.934L144.011 79.6944H306.615L611.412 515.685L658.88 583.579L1055.08 1150.3H892.476L569.165 687.854V687.828Z\" fill=\"white\"\/><\/svg>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"social-icon social-icon-facebook\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.nasa.gov%2Fhistory%2Fmercury-7-to-artemis-ii%2F\" aria-label=\"Share on Facebook.\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><path d=\"M9 8h-3v4h3v12h5v-12h3.642l.358-4h-4v-1.667c0-.955.192-1.333 1.115-1.333h2.885v-5h-3.808c-3.596 0-5.192 1.583-5.192 4.615v3.385z\"\/><\/svg>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"social-icon social-icon-linkedin\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.nasa.gov%2Fhistory%2Fmercury-7-to-artemis-ii%2F\" aria-label=\"Share on LinkedIn.\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><path d=\"M4.98 3.5c0 1.381-1.11 2.5-2.48 2.5s-2.48-1.119-2.48-2.5c0-1.38 1.11-2.5 2.48-2.5s2.48 1.12 2.48 2.5zm.02 4.5h-5v16h5v-16zm7.982 0h-4.968v16h4.969v-8.399c0-4.67 6.029-5.052 6.029 0v8.399h4.988v-10.131c0-7.88-8.922-7.593-11.018-3.714v-2.155z\"\/><\/svg>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"social-icon social-icon-rss\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"\/feed\/\" aria-label=\"Subscribe to RSS feed.\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewBox=\"0 0 800 800\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><path d=\"M493 652H392c0-134-111-244-244-244V307c189 0 345 156 345 345zm71 0c0-228-188-416-416-416V132c285 0 520 235 520 520z\"\/><circle cx=\"219\" cy=\"581\" r=\"71\"\/><\/svg>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/ul>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"grid-col-12 desktop:grid-col-5 padding-right-4 margin-bottom-5 desktop:margin-bottom-0\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"padding-top-3 border-top-1px border-color-carbon-black\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"margin-bottom-2\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"heading-14\">Details<\/h2>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"grid-row margin-bottom-3\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"grid-col-4\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"subheading\">Last Updated<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"grid-col-8\">Apr 16, 2024<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<div class=\"grid-col-12 desktop:grid-col-5 padding-right-4 margin-bottom-5 desktop:margin-bottom-0\"><div class=\"padding-top-3 border-top-1px border-color-carbon-black \"><div class=\"margin-bottom-2\"><h2 class=\"heading-14\">Related Terms<\/h2><\/div><ul class=\"article-tags\"><li class=\"article-tag\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/history\/\">NASA History<\/a><\/li><li class=\"article-tag\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/mission\/artemis-ii\/\">Artemis 2<\/a><\/li><li class=\"article-tag\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/humans-in-space\/astronauts\/\">Astronauts<\/a><\/li><li class=\"article-tag\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/humans-in-space\/astronauts\/become-an-astronaut\/\">Becoming an Astronaut<\/a><\/li><li class=\"article-tag\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/missions\/project-mercury\/\">Project Mercury<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/div><\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/section>\n\t<\/div>\n\n<div id=\"\" class=\"nasa-gb-align-full width-full maxw-full padding-x-3 padding-y-0 hds-module hds-module-full wp-block-nasa-blocks-related-articles\">\t\t<section class=\"hds-related-articles padding-x-0 padding-y-3 desktop:padding-top-7 desktop:padding-bottom-9\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"w-100 grid-row grid-container maxw-widescreen padding-0 text-align-left\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"margin-bottom-4\"><h2 style=\"max-width: 100%;\" class=\"width-full w-full maxw-full\">Explore More<\/h2><\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<div class=\"grid-row grid-container maxw-widescreen padding-0\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"grid-col-12 desktop:grid-col-4 margin-bottom-4 desktop:margin-bottom-0 desktop:padding-right-3\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/general\/nasa-names-astronauts-to-next-moon-mission-first-crew-under-artemis\/\" class=\"color-carbon-black\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"margin-bottom-2\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"hds-cover-wrapper cover-hover-zoom bg-carbon-black minh-mobile\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figure class=\"hds-media-background  \"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"300\" height=\"300\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/jsc2023e016432-alt4.jpeg?w=300\" class=\"attachment-medium size-medium\" alt=\"\" style=\"transform: scale(1); transform-origin: 50% 50%; object-position: 50% 50%; object-fit: cover;\" block_context=\"nasa-block\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/jsc2023e016432-alt4.jpeg 5878w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/jsc2023e016432-alt4.jpeg?resize=150,150 150w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/jsc2023e016432-alt4.jpeg?resize=300,300 300w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/jsc2023e016432-alt4.jpeg?resize=768,768 768w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/jsc2023e016432-alt4.jpeg?resize=1024,1024 1024w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/jsc2023e016432-alt4.jpeg?resize=1536,1536 1536w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/jsc2023e016432-alt4.jpeg?resize=2048,2048 2048w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/jsc2023e016432-alt4.jpeg?resize=50,50 50w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/jsc2023e016432-alt4.jpeg?resize=100,100 100w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/jsc2023e016432-alt4.jpeg?resize=200,200 200w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/jsc2023e016432-alt4.jpeg?resize=400,400 400w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/jsc2023e016432-alt4.jpeg?resize=600,600 600w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/jsc2023e016432-alt4.jpeg?resize=900,900 900w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/jsc2023e016432-alt4.jpeg?resize=1200,1200 1200w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/jsc2023e016432-alt4.jpeg?resize=2000,2000 2000w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/figure>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"padding-right-0 desktop:padding-right-10\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"subheading margin-bottom-1\">5 min read<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"margin-bottom-1\"><h3 class=\"related-article-title\">NASA Names Astronauts to Next Moon Mission, First Crew Under Artemis<\/h3><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"display-flex flex-align-center label related-article-label margin-bottom-1 color-carbon-60\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"display-flex flex-align-center margin-right-2\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg version=\"1.1\" class=\"square-2 margin-right-1\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" xmlns:xlink=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/1999\/xlink\" x=\"0px\" y=\"0px\" width=\"16px\" height=\"16px\" viewBox=\"0 0 16 16\" style=\"enable-background:new 0 0 16 16;\" xml:space=\"preserve\"><g><g><path d=\"M8,0C3.5,0-0.1,3.7,0,8.2C0.1,12.5,3.6,16,8,16c4.4,0,8-3.6,8-8C16,3.5,12.4,0,8,0z M8,15.2 C4,15.2,0.8,12,0.8,8C0.8,4,4,0.8,8,0.8c3.9,0,7.2,3.2,7.2,7.1C15.2,11.9,12,15.2,8,15.2z\"\/><path d=\"M5.6,12c0.8-0.8,1.6-1.6,2.4-2.4c0.8,0.8,1.6,1.6,2.4,2.4c0-2.7,0-5.3,0-8C8.8,4,7.2,4,5.6,4 C5.6,6.7,5.6,9.3,5.6,12z\"\/><\/g><\/g><\/svg>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span>Article<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t1 year ago\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"grid-col-12 desktop:grid-col-4 margin-bottom-4 desktop:margin-bottom-0 desktop:padding-right-3\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/history\/45-years-ago-nasa-selects-35-new-astronauts\/\" class=\"color-carbon-black\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"margin-bottom-2\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"hds-cover-wrapper cover-hover-zoom bg-carbon-black minh-mobile\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figure class=\"hds-media-background  \"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"290\" height=\"300\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/class_of_1978_1_montage_photo_s78-26481.jpg?w=290\" class=\"attachment-medium size-medium\" alt=\"\" style=\"transform: scale(1); transform-origin: 50% 50%; object-position: 50% 50%; object-fit: cover;\" block_context=\"nasa-block\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/class_of_1978_1_montage_photo_s78-26481.jpg 985w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/class_of_1978_1_montage_photo_s78-26481.jpg?resize=290,300 290w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/class_of_1978_1_montage_photo_s78-26481.jpg?resize=768,794 768w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/class_of_1978_1_montage_photo_s78-26481.jpg?resize=387,400 387w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/class_of_1978_1_montage_photo_s78-26481.jpg?resize=581,600 581w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/class_of_1978_1_montage_photo_s78-26481.jpg?resize=871,900 871w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 290px) 100vw, 290px\" \/><\/figure>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"padding-right-0 desktop:padding-right-10\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"subheading margin-bottom-1\">4 min read<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"margin-bottom-1\"><h3 class=\"related-article-title\">45 Years Ago: NASA Selects 35 New Astronauts<\/h3><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"display-flex flex-align-center label related-article-label margin-bottom-1 color-carbon-60\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"display-flex flex-align-center margin-right-2\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg version=\"1.1\" class=\"square-2 margin-right-1\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" xmlns:xlink=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/1999\/xlink\" x=\"0px\" y=\"0px\" width=\"16px\" height=\"16px\" viewBox=\"0 0 16 16\" style=\"enable-background:new 0 0 16 16;\" xml:space=\"preserve\"><g><g><path d=\"M8,0C3.5,0-0.1,3.7,0,8.2C0.1,12.5,3.6,16,8,16c4.4,0,8-3.6,8-8C16,3.5,12.4,0,8,0z M8,15.2 C4,15.2,0.8,12,0.8,8C0.8,4,4,0.8,8,0.8c3.9,0,7.2,3.2,7.2,7.1C15.2,11.9,12,15.2,8,15.2z\"\/><path d=\"M5.6,12c0.8-0.8,1.6-1.6,2.4-2.4c0.8,0.8,1.6,1.6,2.4,2.4c0-2.7,0-5.3,0-8C8.8,4,7.2,4,5.6,4 C5.6,6.7,5.6,9.3,5.6,12z\"\/><\/g><\/g><\/svg>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span>Article<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t1 year ago\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"grid-col-12 desktop:grid-col-4 margin-bottom-4 desktop:margin-bottom-0 desktop:padding-right-3\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/history\/65-years-ago-nasa-selects-americas-first-astronauts\/\" class=\"color-carbon-black\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"margin-bottom-2\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"hds-cover-wrapper cover-hover-zoom bg-carbon-black minh-mobile\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figure class=\"hds-media-background  \"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"300\" height=\"177\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/mercury-7-astronauts-3-group-photo-apr-9-1959.jpg?w=300\" class=\"attachment-medium size-medium\" alt=\"\" style=\"transform: scale(1); transform-origin: 50% 50%; object-position: 50% 50%; object-fit: cover;\" block_context=\"nasa-block\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/mercury-7-astronauts-3-group-photo-apr-9-1959.jpg 1031w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/mercury-7-astronauts-3-group-photo-apr-9-1959.jpg?resize=300,177 300w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/mercury-7-astronauts-3-group-photo-apr-9-1959.jpg?resize=768,453 768w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/mercury-7-astronauts-3-group-photo-apr-9-1959.jpg?resize=1024,604 1024w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/mercury-7-astronauts-3-group-photo-apr-9-1959.jpg?resize=400,236 400w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/mercury-7-astronauts-3-group-photo-apr-9-1959.jpg?resize=600,354 600w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/mercury-7-astronauts-3-group-photo-apr-9-1959.jpg?resize=900,531 900w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/figure>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"padding-right-0 desktop:padding-right-10\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"subheading margin-bottom-1\">7 min read<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"margin-bottom-1\"><h3 class=\"related-article-title\">65 Years Ago: NASA Selects America\u2019s First Astronauts<\/h3><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"display-flex flex-align-center label related-article-label margin-bottom-1 color-carbon-60\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"display-flex flex-align-center margin-right-2\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg version=\"1.1\" class=\"square-2 margin-right-1\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" xmlns:xlink=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/1999\/xlink\" x=\"0px\" y=\"0px\" width=\"16px\" height=\"16px\" viewBox=\"0 0 16 16\" style=\"enable-background:new 0 0 16 16;\" xml:space=\"preserve\"><g><g><path d=\"M8,0C3.5,0-0.1,3.7,0,8.2C0.1,12.5,3.6,16,8,16c4.4,0,8-3.6,8-8C16,3.5,12.4,0,8,0z M8,15.2 C4,15.2,0.8,12,0.8,8C0.8,4,4,0.8,8,0.8c3.9,0,7.2,3.2,7.2,7.1C15.2,11.9,12,15.2,8,15.2z\"\/><path d=\"M5.6,12c0.8-0.8,1.6-1.6,2.4-2.4c0.8,0.8,1.6,1.6,2.4,2.4c0-2.7,0-5.3,0-8C8.8,4,7.2,4,5.6,4 C5.6,6.7,5.6,9.3,5.6,12z\"\/><\/g><\/g><\/svg>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span>Article<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t1 month ago\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n<div id=\"\" class=\"hds-topic-cards nasa-gb-align-full maxw-full width-full padding-y-6 padding-x-3 color-mode-dark hds-module hds-module-full wp-block-nasa-blocks-topic-cards\">\t\t<div class=\"grid-container grid-container-block-lg padding-x-0\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"grid-row flex-align-center margin-bottom-3\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"desktop:grid-col-8 margin-bottom-2 desktop:margin-bottom-0\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"label color-carbon-60 margin-bottom-2\">Keep Exploring<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"heading-36 line-height-sm\">Discover More Topics From NASA<\/h2>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"grid-row grid-gap-2 hds-topic-cards-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/history\/\" class=\"mobile:grid-col-12 tablet:grid-col-6 desktop:grid-col-3 topic-card margin-bottom-4 desktop:margin-bottom-0\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"hds-topic-card hds-cover-wrapper cover-hover-zoom bg-carbon-black\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"skrim-overlay skrim-overlay-dark skrim-left mobile-skrim-top padding-3 display-flex flex-align-end flex-justify-start z-200\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"hds-topic-card-heading heading-29 color-spacesuit-white line-height-sm margin-top-0 margin-bottom-1\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span>NASA History<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg viewBox=\"0 0 32 32\" fill=\"none\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><circle class=\"color-nasa-red\" cx=\"16\" cy=\"16\" r=\"16\"><\/circle><path d=\"M8 16.956h12.604l-3.844 4.106 1.252 1.338L24 16l-5.988-6.4-1.252 1.338 3.844 4.106H8v1.912z\" class=\"color-spacesuit-white\"><\/path><\/svg>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figure class=\"hds-media-background  \"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"983\" height=\"1223\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/as11-40-5903_alt2.jpg?w=983\" class=\"attachment-1536x1536 size-1536x1536\" alt=\"\" style=\"transform: scale(1); transform-origin: 50% 50%; object-position: 50% 50%; object-fit: cover;\" block_context=\"nasa-block\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/as11-40-5903_alt2.jpg 983w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/as11-40-5903_alt2.jpg?resize=241,300 241w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/as11-40-5903_alt2.jpg?resize=768,956 768w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/as11-40-5903_alt2.jpg?resize=823,1024 823w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/as11-40-5903_alt2.jpg?resize=322,400 322w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/as11-40-5903_alt2.jpg?resize=482,600 482w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/as11-40-5903_alt2.jpg?resize=723,900 723w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/as11-40-5903_alt2.jpg?resize=965,1200 965w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 983px) 100vw, 983px\" \/><\/figure>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/project-mercury\/\" class=\"mobile:grid-col-12 tablet:grid-col-6 desktop:grid-col-3 topic-card margin-bottom-4 desktop:margin-bottom-0\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"hds-topic-card hds-cover-wrapper cover-hover-zoom bg-carbon-black\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"skrim-overlay skrim-overlay-dark skrim-left mobile-skrim-top padding-3 display-flex flex-align-end flex-justify-start z-200\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"hds-topic-card-heading heading-29 color-spacesuit-white line-height-sm margin-top-0 margin-bottom-1\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span>Project Mercury<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg viewBox=\"0 0 32 32\" fill=\"none\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><circle class=\"color-nasa-red\" cx=\"16\" cy=\"16\" r=\"16\"><\/circle><path d=\"M8 16.956h12.604l-3.844 4.106 1.252 1.338L24 16l-5.988-6.4-1.252 1.338 3.844 4.106H8v1.912z\" class=\"color-spacesuit-white\"><\/path><\/svg>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figure class=\"hds-media-background  \"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1631\" height=\"1920\" src=\"https:\/\/images-assets.nasa.gov\/image\/6413212\/6413212~large.jpg?w=1631&h=1920&fit=clip&crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint\" class=\"attachment-1536x1536 size-1536x1536\" alt=\"\" style=\"transform: scale(1); transform-origin: 50% 50%; object-position: 50% 50%; object-fit: cover;\" block_context=\"nasa-block\" srcset=\"https:\/\/images-assets.nasa.gov\/image\/6413212\/6413212~large.jpg?w=1631&h=1920&fit=crop&crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 1631w, https:\/\/images-assets.nasa.gov\/image\/6413212\/6413212~large.jpg?w=255&h=300&fit=crop&crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 255w, https:\/\/images-assets.nasa.gov\/image\/6413212\/6413212~large.jpg?w=768&h=904&fit=crop&crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 768w, https:\/\/images-assets.nasa.gov\/image\/6413212\/6413212~large.jpg?w=870&h=1024&fit=crop&crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 870w, https:\/\/images-assets.nasa.gov\/image\/6413212\/6413212~large.jpg?w=1305&h=1536&fit=crop&crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 1305w, https:\/\/images-assets.nasa.gov\/image\/6413212\/6413212~large.jpg?w=340&h=400&fit=crop&crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 340w, https:\/\/images-assets.nasa.gov\/image\/6413212\/6413212~large.jpg?w=510&h=600&fit=crop&crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 510w, https:\/\/images-assets.nasa.gov\/image\/6413212\/6413212~large.jpg?w=765&h=901&fit=crop&crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 765w, https:\/\/images-assets.nasa.gov\/image\/6413212\/6413212~large.jpg?w=1019&h=1200&fit=crop&crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 1019w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1631px) 100vw, 1631px\" \/><\/figure>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/humans-in-space\/\" class=\"mobile:grid-col-12 tablet:grid-col-6 desktop:grid-col-3 topic-card margin-bottom-4 desktop:margin-bottom-0\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"hds-topic-card hds-cover-wrapper cover-hover-zoom bg-carbon-black\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"skrim-overlay skrim-overlay-dark skrim-left mobile-skrim-top padding-3 display-flex flex-align-end flex-justify-start z-200\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"hds-topic-card-heading heading-29 color-spacesuit-white line-height-sm margin-top-0 margin-bottom-1\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span>Humans In Space<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg viewBox=\"0 0 32 32\" fill=\"none\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><circle class=\"color-nasa-red\" cx=\"16\" cy=\"16\" r=\"16\"><\/circle><path d=\"M8 16.956h12.604l-3.844 4.106 1.252 1.338L24 16l-5.988-6.4-1.252 1.338 3.844 4.106H8v1.912z\" class=\"color-spacesuit-white\"><\/path><\/svg>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figure class=\"hds-media-background  \"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"368\" height=\"560\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/topic-humans-in-space.jpg?w=368\" class=\"attachment-1536x1536 size-1536x1536\" alt=\"\" style=\"transform: scale(1); transform-origin: 50% 50%; object-position: 50% 50%; object-fit: cover;\" block_context=\"nasa-block\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/topic-humans-in-space.jpg 368w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/topic-humans-in-space.jpg?resize=197,300 197w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/topic-humans-in-space.jpg?resize=263,400 263w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 368px) 100vw, 368px\" \/><\/figure>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/humans-in-space\/artemis\/\" class=\"mobile:grid-col-12 tablet:grid-col-6 desktop:grid-col-3 topic-card margin-bottom-4 desktop:margin-bottom-0\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"hds-topic-card hds-cover-wrapper cover-hover-zoom bg-carbon-black\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"skrim-overlay skrim-overlay-dark skrim-left mobile-skrim-top padding-3 display-flex flex-align-end flex-justify-start z-200\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"hds-topic-card-heading heading-29 color-spacesuit-white line-height-sm margin-top-0 margin-bottom-1\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span>Artemis<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg viewBox=\"0 0 32 32\" fill=\"none\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><circle class=\"color-nasa-red\" cx=\"16\" cy=\"16\" r=\"16\"><\/circle><path d=\"M8 16.956h12.604l-3.844 4.106 1.252 1.338L24 16l-5.988-6.4-1.252 1.338 3.844 4.106H8v1.912z\" class=\"color-spacesuit-white\"><\/path><\/svg>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figure class=\"hds-media-background  \"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"1536\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/Artemis-I.jpg?w=1024\" class=\"attachment-1536x1536 size-1536x1536\" alt=\"\" style=\"transform: scale(1); transform-origin: 50% 50%; object-position: 50% 50%; object-fit: cover;\" block_context=\"nasa-block\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/Artemis-I.jpg 5504w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/Artemis-I.jpg?resize=200,300 200w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/Artemis-I.jpg?resize=768,1152 768w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/Artemis-I.jpg?resize=683,1024 683w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/Artemis-I.jpg?resize=1024,1536 1024w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/Artemis-I.jpg?resize=1365,2048 1365w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/Artemis-I.jpg?resize=267,400 267w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/Artemis-I.jpg?resize=400,600 400w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/Artemis-I.jpg?resize=600,900 600w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/Artemis-I.jpg?resize=800,1200 800w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/Artemis-I.jpg?resize=1333,2000 1333w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The Mercury 7 On April 9, 1959, reporters and news media crammed into the ballroom of the Dolley Madison House in Washington\u2014the location of NASA Headquarters at that time\u2014to learn the names of the first American astronauts who came to be known as the Mercury 7. 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