BIOGRAPHIES

Scott Carpenter was the backup astronaut for John Glenn’s first American orbital flight. Additional Biographical Information

James A. Chamberlin was head of the Space Task Group’s Engineering Division.

Charles J. Donlan was the Associate Director of Project Mercury (Development).

Hugh L. Dryden was NASA’s Deputy Administrator from 1958 to 1965.

Maxime A. Faget was the Chief of the Space Task Group’s Flight Systems Division.

Robert R. Gilruth was the Director of Project Mercury from 1959 to 1961.

John H. Glenn, Jr. was the first American to orbit Earth. Additional Biographical Information

T. Keith Glennan served as NASA’s first Administrator from 1958 to 1961.

Kenneth S. Kleinknecht was the head of the Mercury Project Office at the Manned Spacecraft Center in 1962.

Homer E. Newell served as the deputy director of spaceflight programs in NASA’s early years and soon became the head of space science and applications at NASA Headquarters.

John A. “Shorty” Powers was the public affairs officer for the Manned Spacecraft Center.

Abe Silverstein helped create and direct the efforts leading to the spaceflights of Project Mercury at NASA Headquarters.

Walter C. Williams was the Space Task Group’s Associate Director of Project Mercury (Operations).