February 6

Alan Shepard, late 1961 to early 1962.

(Photo: Ralph Morse)

February 5

 

An alternate take of the famous Mercury Seven spacesuit shot. The biggest differences between this one and the famous version are probably the expressions of Alan Shepard (back row, left) and John Glenn (front row, second from left). 

These group shots are rare and very valuable: According to many space historians, only one picture exists of the Original 7 in their spacesuits together. The above photo - and several more that I'll be posting in the near future - prove them wrong. 

Front row, L-R: Wally Schirra, Deke Slayton, John Glenn, Scott Carpenter. Back row, L-R: Alan Shepard, Gus Grissom, Gordo Cooper.

(Photo: Ralph Morse)

January 31 - Launch of Apollo 14

Today also marks the 40th anniversary of the launch of Apollo 14, which landed on the Moon in Fra Mauro.

January 15

Alternate take of the September 1959 Mercury Seven LIFE cover.

(Photo: Ralph Morse)

January 13

The first three Americans in space, dressed in desert survival gear in Nevada. From left to right: John Glenn, Gus Grissom, Alan Shepard.

(Photo: Ralph Morse)

January 10

The first seven astronauts pose beside a mockup of a Mercury spacecraft at the McDonnell plant in St. Louis, May 1959.

January 4

Maybe it's just me, but I find it really, really hard to believe that we'll celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Mercury-Redstone flights this year.

(Gus Grissom and Alan Shepard, of course)