Ed White During Some Medical Testing After His Selection As An Astronaut, 1963

First Man (2018)

Jim McDivitt’s Prank NASA Photos: A Tribute

Art by me

When embarking on a fishing trip with the guys, it’s always a good idea to wear a bow tie with your best suit jacket. And don’t forget the pocket hankie.

Submitted by lightthiscandle.

Happy Shaky Day! Capt. James Arthur Lovell, Jr., born March 25, 1928, turns 92 years old today! Jim was a naval aviator and NASA astronaut who flew in space four times, the first human in history to do so. He’s also an all-around great guy and still going strong! Happy birthday, Jimbo!

“Gus helped me, to no end, backing me up in Gemini as I backed him up in Gemini. We worked very closely on the Apollo flight. I was his next door neighbor and then I had to be the executor of his will. He was a very close friend to all of us.” -Wally Schirra

“I remember being impressed with Gus as an individual and as a pilot… Gus was willing to join the group and he pulled his weight in the boat. He was considered a great pilot, enthusiastic and competitive like the rest of us. I guess the thing I’ll remember the most about Gus was the sacrifice he made for the program… The human element and frailties come to the surface and we have a tragic combination of things, which took the life of our buddy.” -Alan Shepard

“I agree with everything everybody said about Gus. He was a good friend to all of us… Gus unfortunately had to sacrifice his life for one of those human errors that let us then step ahead to another level.” -John Glenn

“We’re kind of like a bunch of brothers. We’re quite close.” -Gordo Cooper

“Gus didn’t say a lot, but when he did speak, it was worth listening to… I think we all take the same chances. But we’re all subject to human frailty, if not our own, that of others… It was dangerous but it hadn’t hurt us so we kept doing it. That was dead wrong and it took that tragedy to make it safe. So complacency causes great difficulty, but the end result is that it leads to progress.” -Scott Carpenter

“We miss him.” -Deke Slayton

(credit to the owners)

Art by me

(Credit to the owners)

The Apollo 1 prime and backup crew at a press conference in Houston a few days before Christmas, 1966. With them is chief astronaut Deke Slayton.