[Mercury Atlas 7] The second American in orbit: Scott Carpenter preparing for...

[Mercury Atlas 7] The second American in orbit: Scott Carpenter preparing for launch. NASA, 22 January 1962 and May 1962. Printed 1962. Two vintage gelatin silver prints on fiber-based paper. Each 20.3×25.4 cm (8×10 in), the first with NASA caption numbered “62-MA6–47” and dated “January 22, 1962” on the verso (NASA Headquarters, Washington, D.C.), the second numbered “NASA S-62–1407” in black in top margin with NASA caption on the verso (NASA Headquarters, Washington, D.C.).

First photograph: A very fine portrait of space pioneer Scott Carpenter during pre-launch activities at Cape Canaveral as he trains as back-up pilot for the first US manned orbital flight Mercury Atlas 6.

Second photograph: [NASA caption]Project Mercury M. Scott Carpenter in the pressure couch for suit testing; Carpenter has been selected as prime pilot for the nation’s second orbital flight.

Carpenter flew on Mercury Atlas 7, the second orbital flight of an American rocket with a human on board. The pilot was originally planned to be Donald Slayton but was changed to be Scott Carpenter after a medical examination of Slayton revealed an irregularity in his heartbeat.

The Aurora 7 spacecraft mated to an Atlas rocket was launched from Pad 14, Cape Canaveral, at 07:45:00 a.m. EST on May 24, 1962.

Condition Report:Creasing to upper right corner of first print, beautiful silvering of second print, excellent condition.

Category:Photos ▸ Vintage photographs