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This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. What is Gus Grissom awarded for his actions during combat in Korea?

2. In every flight class, what ratio of new trainees do not earn their wings?

3. Who is in charge of testing at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base?

4. Who is John Glenn's greatest ally in the debate over how the astronauts should conduct themselves?

5. What is the subject of the first press conference question?

Short Essay Questions

1. NASA originally needs six astronauts for the Mercury program, but is going to take twelve astronauts. Why?

2. Contrast flight training with astronaut training.

3. Describe Jane Conrad's nightmares and hallucinations?

4. In 1952 at Edwards Air Force Base, 62 Air Force pilots died in the course of a 36-week training session. In 11 weeks of combat training at Nellis Air Force Base, 22 pilot trainees were killed. In Pete Conrad's own class in Florida, 10 out of 20 had been killed. In the opinion of the pilots, these rates of death are considered "extraordinary," yet they really are not. Why?

5. What is the procedures trainer?

6. Why do so many fighter pilots accept the Mercury mission?

7. Why do many pilots choose to try to pilot a wounded aircraft to the ground rather than eject?

8. What does Chuck Yeager become convinced of as he pilots the X-1 at near-Mach I speeds?

9. Jane Conrad sees a real man going to her front door and realizes it wasn't one of her hallucinations. Who is the man and why is he there?

10. Why does Gus Grissom find the selection of Scott Carpenter as an astronaut odd?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

At the beginning of our book, and throughout the selection process, we see these brave men having the support (or the perception of support) from their wives and families.

a. While stationed at Muroc, what is the wives' biggest fear? How do they support each other and what unwritten rules govern their roles as pilot wives?

b. Once their husbands are selected for the astronaut program, how do the women's lives change? Give at least three examples.

Essay Topic 2

Throughout the book, the "pyramid" is discussed.

a. Define what the "pyramid" and how each group (Edwards' pilots vs. Mercury's astronauts) ranked on the period before Mercury is underway, during Project Mercury, and at the conclusion of the Project.

b. Identify and discuss three events that occur (both at Edwards and at NASA) to change and redefine the perception of both the pilots and the astronauts.

Essay Topic 3

At various times during the lifespan of Project Mercury, there are opposing interests as to the policies and priorities of NASA and the astronauts. Describe the struggle for leadership between the following men.

a. John Kennedy and James Webb?

b. John Glenn and John Kennedy?

c. James Webb and John Glenn?

(see the answer keys)

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