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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. When the capsule splashes down and Shepard is detaching all of the hoses so that he can leave the capsule, what sound does he hear?

2. Why does Shepard see the Earth through the periscope in black and white?

3. As soon as Shepard is debriefed, where is he flown to?

4. When Cooper is in the capsule awaiting launch, all of his objective readings indicate that Cooper has done something no previous astronaut has done. What does Cooper do?

5. At the end of the book, what major political change occurs?

Short Essay Questions

1. During an international space conference attended by the Russians to publicize their successes in space, what reassuring fact does the United States learn?

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

3. Why is there a certain danger in scrapping the Redstone rocket in favor of the Atlas rockets?

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

5. 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?

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

7. When NASA grounds Deke Slayton, the press refers to him as being "keenly disappointed." How is Slayton actually feeling?

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

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

10. What worries the astronauts the most about Project Mercury potentially losing funding?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Wally Schirra's Mercury flight came to be known as the "textbook" flight. Scott Carpenter's flight was not.

a. Identify three differences between the two flights that led to this distinction.

b. Describe how the pilot's personalities affected the outcome of the two flights.

c. From watching Carpenter's flight and learning from Carpenter's actions, Schirra insisted on one specific change from Carpenter's flight to his. What was the change? Why was it important?

Essay Topic 2

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?

Essay Topic 3

The book first introduces us to some of the Mercury astronauts during their test flying days and, by the astronaut selection process, we have met all seven of the men who will be selected for Project Mercury. By the end of the book, we have seen these men over three to four years.

a. Compare and contrast the attitudes of the Original Seven astronauts when they first entered the training program to their attitudes towards the conclusion of the Mercury program. How did their success affect the systems in place at NASA?

b. How did the success of the Mercury program change these men, if at all? Pick two of the seven and support your answer.

(see the answer keys)

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