The Mercury Project Astronauts

I found these really cool photographs of Mercury Project astronauts Gus & Virgil Grissom with suit technician Joe Schmidt on Apollo Mission Photos. The Mercury Missions were the United States first attempt at putting a man into orbit around the earth. The program ran from 1959-1963. The Mercury-Atlas 6 mission was the first flight to achieve the goal. The astronaut suits along with the undergarments are unbelievable. It must have been a real thrill to have the challenge of designing something with such advanced function and technology.

Astronaut Virgil Grissom suits up with technician Joe Schmidt. I love the insulation details on the undergarments.

Spacemen Al Shepard and John Glenn in front of the MR-4 Capsul at Mercury Mission Control.  Check out the skinny ties and French cuffs! 

Gus Grissom with suit technician Joe Schmidt. These suits were all full pressure.