3. For the third space flight, the astronaut's wife decided to write her own story for Life magazine. The magazine rents her a "safe house" to watch the launch from so no one knows where she and her children are. Why does this action upset Shorty Powers?

4. Why are the American politicians and reporters alarmed by the Russian's flight?

5. Why does Webb declare Cooper's flight to be the last of the Mercury program?

6. Why is Betty Grissom so upset at the treatment of Gus after his flight?

7. The Air Force has grand plans of their own for a space program. What do their plans include?

8. During the delay before the launch, Shepard found his biggest issue to be his need to use the restroom. However, no device for urination was designed into the capsule. Why not?

9. What is the effect on Shepard of having so many pre-flight simulations?

10. What irks the Original Seven wives about the Next Nine wives?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The mindset of a fighter jock, whether testing airplanes or riding on rockets, is different from the mindset of the "average" person. With the danger inherent in their daily occupational duties, the fighter jock mindset probably has to be different to continue to go up and push the envelope.

a. Describe the coping mechanisms the pilots had in place to help them deal with the enormous stress of their jobs.

b. Discuss the coping mechanisms the pilots' wives had in place to deal with the enormous stress of their husbands' jobs.

Essay Topic 2

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.