50 Years of Spaceflight

AIR & SPACE MAGAZINE

Shepard’s Shot

Self-photograph made by Maj. David Simons as he approached his record altitude in 1957.

AIR & SPACE MAGAZINE

First Up?

A 10-story statue of Gagarin dominates the modern skyline over Moscow's Leninski Prospect.

AIR & SPACE MAGAZINE

Saint Yuri

The Mercury space capsule during a 1959 wind tunnel test.

AIR & SPACE MAGAZINE

How the Spaceship Got Its Shape

The Mercury Seven: (from left) Scott Carpenter, Gordon Cooper, John Glenn, Gus Grissom, Wally Schirra, Alan Shepard and Deke Slayton.

AIR & SPACE MAGAZINE

The Seven

Veterans inside the Mercury-Redstone blockhouse from which Alan Shepard's rocket was launched: (from left) Terry Greenfield, Ike Rigell, Kelly Fiorentino, Frank Bryan, Milt Chambers, and Curly Chandler.

AIR & SPACE MAGAZINE

Light This Candle

None

AIR & SPACE MAGAZINE

Flying the Gusmobile