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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. After being grounded, what is Deke Slayton's new role in NASA?

2. When does the second Mercury flight take place?

3. On the space flight, what becomes a major issue for the astronaut?

4. Towards the end of his flight, Cooper starts experiencing problems. What is causing these problems?

5. What plane is being developed for the ARPS?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why does Walter Cronkite tell the American people that he is afraid that we may have lost an astronaut?

2. The seven original Mercury astronauts receive the Iven C. Kincheloe Award for outstanding professional performance in the conduct of test flight from the Society for Experimental Test Pilots. What does receiving this award mean to the astronauts?

3. The wives had barely started getting settled into their new homes in Houston when something extraordinary starts happening. What is it?

4. What becomes an immutable part of the flight day drill for the astronaut's wife?

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

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

7. When urination had been a problem in the procedures trainer, what had some of the astronauts done out of necessity and what are the dangers involved in a real-world situation?

8. Why does Grissom's suit not keep him buoyant when he is awaiting rescue in the ocean?

9. Why does the next group of astronauts selected contain fourteen trainees instead of the intended eleven trainees?

10. What does Shepard see as the main differences between the actual flight and the centrifuge's simulated flights?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Throughout the book, the astronauts are compared with the pilots from Edwards Air Force Base. Compare and contrast these two groups in terms at the following times:

a. When Project Mercury was first being announced.

b. When Project Mercury was underway.

c. When Project Mercury was concluded.

Essay Topic 2

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 3

When Glenn finally goes up, his flight is remarkably different from Shepard's flight, as is the resulting celebration upon Glenn's safe return.

a. List three perks Shepard received after his first flight.

b. List three perks Glenn received after his first flight.

c. How does the success of Glenn's flight change their relationship?

(see the answer keys)

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