February 13

 

Astronaut Deke Slayton before, during, and after an unexpected dip in the Cocoa Beach Holiday Inn pool, 1961.

(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 15

Alternate take of the September 1959 Mercury Seven LIFE cover.

(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.