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

2. What does Gus want Betty to remember when she flies down to the Cape?

3. The launch was originally scheduled for May 2nd, but has to be delayed. What delays the launch?

4. How many pilots are selected to comprise the second group of astronauts for the new moon program?

5. 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?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

3. Why does NASA select the primary pilot and two backups with a few weeks to go before the launch instead of selecting the primary pilot the day before the launch as is originally planned?

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

5. What reaction does the American public have to the chimpanzee's flight?

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

7. The evening before the second Mercury flight, Joe Walker runs into Gus Grissom. Walker tries to get Grissom's goat by insisting that the X-15 program will soon pass the Mercury program and that he and the other Edwards pilots are the "real" pilots. Why do these remarks not bother Grissom at all?

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

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

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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.

Essay Topic 2

As NASA's space program becomes more developed, changes occur throughout the program.

a. Compare and contrast the selection process of the first group of astronauts with the group of astronauts selected by Yeager at the end of the book.

b. Compare and contrast the attitudes of the Original Seven with the attitudes of the Next Nine when they were selected for the astronaut program.

c. Compare and contrast the treatment of the Original Seven and the Next Nine when each group became 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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