Are any of the Mercury 7 astronauts still alive?

Remembering the Mercury 7: Where Are They Now?

When you think about the dawn of space exploration, the Mercury 7 are right there at the front of your mind. These guys weren’t just pilots; they were national heroes, the first Americans to boldly go where no American had gone before. Back in ’59, NASA hand-picked these seven test pilots – Scott Carpenter, Gordon Cooper, John Glenn, Gus Grissom, Wally Schirra, Alan Shepard, and Deke Slayton – and boom, instant legends were born. They were the embodiment of American grit and ambition, racing against the Soviets to reach for the stars.

But time keeps moving, doesn’t it? So, what about these pioneers? Here’s the tough news: sadly, none of the original Mercury 7 astronauts are still with us. It’s a real reminder of how much time has passed since those early, thrilling days.

Let’s take a moment to remember each of them:

• Alan Shepard: Talk about a trailblazer! Shepard wasn’t just the first American in space; he later walked on the moon during Apollo 14. Can you imagine that? He passed away on July 21, 1998, at 74.
• Gus Grissom: Another one of the first Americans to leave Earth, Grissom’s story is heartbreaking. He died way too young, in the Apollo 1 fire on January 27, 1967. He was only 40.
• John Glenn: What a life! Glenn was the first American to orbit the Earth – a true icon. But get this: he also became a U.S. Senator, and then, at 77, he became the oldest person to fly in space! Incredible. He lived a long and full life, passing away on December 8, 2016, at the grand old age of 95.
• Scott Carpenter: The second American to orbit the Earth, Carpenter was also an aquanaut. Seriously, the guy did it all! He died on October 10, 2013, at 88.
• Wally Schirra: This guy made history. Schirra was the only astronaut to fly in all three of NASA’s early space programs: Mercury, Gemini, and Apollo. That’s some serious dedication. He died on May 3, 2007, at 84.
• Gordon Cooper: The baby of the group, Cooper piloted the final Mercury mission and later commanded Gemini 5. He passed away on October 4, 2004, at 77.
• Deke Slayton: Slayton had a tough break early on; he was grounded for medical reasons during the Mercury program. But he didn’t give up! He eventually flew on the Apollo-Soyuz Test Project in 1975. Talk about resilience. Sadly, he died of brain cancer in 1993.

Even though they’re no longer here, the Mercury 7’s impact on space exploration is undeniable. They really did set the stage for everything that followed, inspiring countless people to look up at the stars and dream. Their courage, their pioneering spirit – that’s what we remember. And that’s a legacy that will keep shining bright for a long, long time.