project mercury (u.s.)

"This title will explore the beginnings of the Space Race, including the development and launch by the Soviet Union of Sputnik, the world's first satellite. America's response was Project Mercury, run by the newly formed NASA. With its goal of putting astronauts into Earth orbit, Project Mercury spawned such household names as John Glen, Alan Shepard, andthe other 'Mercury 7' astronauts. Will also examine animals in space, and the parallel space exploration programs of the Soviet Union, including the efforts of rocket designer Sergei Korolev"--From pubisher.

Presents the story of John Glenn's flight into space taken from Glenn's own memoirs and dialogue from the transcripts of the actual Friendship 7 flight.

Profiles thirteen women who challenged social norms and government policies to prove they could be exceptional astronauts.

Depicts the lives, ambitions, thoughts and feelings of the seven Project Mercury astronauts before, during and after their historic space flights.

Examines the development of manned space flight in the United States after, in 1961, President John F. Kennedy anounced his goal of putting a man on the moon by the end of the decade; and discusses the development of NASA, and the Mercury, Gemini, and Apollo projects that allowed astronauts to travel beyond Earth's orbit to the moon and return safely.

Profiles thirteen women who challenged social norms and government policies to prove they could be exceptional astronauts.