We Seven
We Seven by the Astronauts Themselves.
M. Scott Carpenter
John H Glenn Jr.
Walter M Schirra Jr.
L. Gordon Cooper Jr.
Virgil L Grissom
Alan B Shepard Jr.
Donald K Slayton
Names that will be written in the History books about our beginning ventures into Space.
Paperback: 352 pages
Publisher: Simon & Schuster (January 12, 2010)
ISBN-10: 9781439181034
Chosen from hundreds of crackerjack pilots for their fitness, intelligence, and courage, the original Mercury Seven astronauts risked their lives to cross the space frontier. In We Seven, they take readers behind the scenes to show them their training, technology, and teamwork, and to share personal stories, including the lighter moments of their mission. They bring readers inside the Mercury program -- even into the space capsules themselves. We Seven straps you in with the astronauts and rockets you along for the ride.
Share Alan Shepard's exhilaration as he breaks through the earth's atmosphere. Endure moments of panic with Gus Grissom when his hatch blows, stranding him in the open sea. Race with John Glenn as he makes split-second life-or-death maneuvers during reentry, and feel his relief when he emerges safe but drenched with sweat.
Despite such heroism, Project Mercury was more than the story of individual missions. It defined the manned space flight program to come, from Gemini through Apollo. In We Seven, America's original astronauts tell us firsthand -- as only they can -- about the space program they pioneered, and share with us the hopes and dreams of the U.S. at the dawn of a new era.
Most who know me know that I love our Space Program and most especially the Mercury , Gemini, and Apollo flights.
In the beginning: there were 7 Astronauts.
Not that I haven't read other books about our Space Race to the Moon, but I purchased this book because it was to be the individuals talking about their first missions.
I have to admit that parts of it was a bit techy for the likes of me, but as soon as they began speaking of their individual flights I knew I'd enjoy the book.. and I did.
The Amazon review is a good one and it covers the books pretty well.
So I thought I would give you some passages from the book..because no matter how many books I read on the beginning of our Space Missions, I always learn a little more.
From John Glenn:
"The engineers worked out three different ways of firing the small retro-rockets which would start us back towards the earth when it was time to come home. These were wired so they could be activated either by the automatic timer on the instrument panel, by the Astronaut himself, if the timer failed, or by command sent up by radio from control stations on the ground if the other two methods failed"
Who knew just how many backups they had in place to be sure things worked?!
"Someone estimated that we spent a good two-thirds of our time devising and testing out this system of automatic controls which would allow us to orbit a capsule without a man before we were ready to risk a pilot. It so happens that safety was always one of the most important factors in running project Mercury."
From Alan Shepard:
"At 9:34 EST on May 5, 1961 the technicians got to the bottom of their countdown list and there was nothing left to do but push the button which ignited the Redstone. The flames roared out of the engine and licked across the pad, searing the concrete. For a second, the Redstone seemed to hesitate. Slowly and agonizingly at last, it began to climb."
I am so sad that our program has come to such a screeching halt. And I am sadder yet because these men, and others thought this was only the first step into space, and I heard from one of their own that they felt going back to the moon was something they had to do and that the space program would go on and on.....
I not only believe Space is our final frontier... but a necessary frontier.
M. Scott Carpenter
John H Glenn Jr.
Walter M Schirra Jr.
L. Gordon Cooper Jr.
Virgil L Grissom
Alan B Shepard Jr.
Donald K Slayton
Names that will be written in the History books about our beginning ventures into Space.
Paperback: 352 pages
Publisher: Simon & Schuster (January 12, 2010)
ISBN-10: 9781439181034
Product Description
The pioneer astronauts who took America into space tell their personal stories about the challenges they faced -- their fears, joys, friendships, and successes.Chosen from hundreds of crackerjack pilots for their fitness, intelligence, and courage, the original Mercury Seven astronauts risked their lives to cross the space frontier. In We Seven, they take readers behind the scenes to show them their training, technology, and teamwork, and to share personal stories, including the lighter moments of their mission. They bring readers inside the Mercury program -- even into the space capsules themselves. We Seven straps you in with the astronauts and rockets you along for the ride.
Share Alan Shepard's exhilaration as he breaks through the earth's atmosphere. Endure moments of panic with Gus Grissom when his hatch blows, stranding him in the open sea. Race with John Glenn as he makes split-second life-or-death maneuvers during reentry, and feel his relief when he emerges safe but drenched with sweat.
Despite such heroism, Project Mercury was more than the story of individual missions. It defined the manned space flight program to come, from Gemini through Apollo. In We Seven, America's original astronauts tell us firsthand -- as only they can -- about the space program they pioneered, and share with us the hopes and dreams of the U.S. at the dawn of a new era.
Most who know me know that I love our Space Program and most especially the Mercury , Gemini, and Apollo flights.
In the beginning: there were 7 Astronauts.
Not that I haven't read other books about our Space Race to the Moon, but I purchased this book because it was to be the individuals talking about their first missions.
I have to admit that parts of it was a bit techy for the likes of me, but as soon as they began speaking of their individual flights I knew I'd enjoy the book.. and I did.
The Amazon review is a good one and it covers the books pretty well.
So I thought I would give you some passages from the book..because no matter how many books I read on the beginning of our Space Missions, I always learn a little more.
From John Glenn:
"The engineers worked out three different ways of firing the small retro-rockets which would start us back towards the earth when it was time to come home. These were wired so they could be activated either by the automatic timer on the instrument panel, by the Astronaut himself, if the timer failed, or by command sent up by radio from control stations on the ground if the other two methods failed"
Who knew just how many backups they had in place to be sure things worked?!
"Someone estimated that we spent a good two-thirds of our time devising and testing out this system of automatic controls which would allow us to orbit a capsule without a man before we were ready to risk a pilot. It so happens that safety was always one of the most important factors in running project Mercury."
From Alan Shepard:
"At 9:34 EST on May 5, 1961 the technicians got to the bottom of their countdown list and there was nothing left to do but push the button which ignited the Redstone. The flames roared out of the engine and licked across the pad, searing the concrete. For a second, the Redstone seemed to hesitate. Slowly and agonizingly at last, it began to climb."
I am so sad that our program has come to such a screeching halt. And I am sadder yet because these men, and others thought this was only the first step into space, and I heard from one of their own that they felt going back to the moon was something they had to do and that the space program would go on and on.....
I not only believe Space is our final frontier... but a necessary frontier.
posted by DesLily | 6:03 AM
6 Comments:
I agree Pat :D I think we'll get there, It's just a matter of time. It's wonderful how this is told from personal points of view. Did they contrast at all. Two people may see the same event differently...let alone seven...lol
amazingly they seemed to all face the "unknown" like it was not that big a deal.. just a new challenge to see if they could do it. Amazing when you think they knew they were putting their lives on the line and maybe leaving a wife and children behind. (unfortunately as we know, some did just that)
This sounds like a book written just for you! :)
The perfect book for you, Pat. Reading as much science fiction as I do I find it tragic that the space adventure had ground to a halt. And gutted because I rather think it won't restart in my lifetime.
I hope one day they will reinvigorate and fund the space program again in this country!
Debi: it was like yesterday to me when they were in the mercury, gemini and apollo missions! so vivid!
Cath: I don't think I will see much either..far less then you that's for sure! lol..
Kathleen: I don't mean it to sound that we should take money away from helping the young or the elderly etc.. but this is something that should never be put on a back burner... it is for the good of all those on earth to save humanity when this unstable earth decides to really fall apart.. lately it doesn't seem like it's really all that far off! Hopefully it is though..but this IS an unstable planet.
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