Mercury Astronaut Scott Carpenter Pressure Suit Check 1961 - Original NASA Photo

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Mercury Astronaut Scott Carpenter Pressure Suit Check 1961 - Original NASA Photo:
$140.00

An original 8x10" vintage photo (NOT a modern reprint) from a very large collection of rare original NASA photographs that originated from the estate of an engineer who worked at NASA through the early space programs. Professionally packaged in a rigid mailer for safe delivery.

Photo Overview

This remarkable original NASA press photo captures astronaut M. Scott Carpenter seated in full Mercury pressure suit, helmet sealed, while Dr. William K. Douglas - the astronauts' personal flight surgeon - checks the suit's integrity. The name tag 'M.S. Carpenter' is clearly visible on the suit. The setting is the Astronauts' quarters in Hangar 'S' at Cape Canaveral, Florida, photographed on or around November 29, 1961. At the time of this photo, Carpenter had just been designated as backup pilot for the manned orbital flight then scheduled for late 1961 or early 1962 - what would become the Mercury-Atlas 6 mission.

The silver Mercury spacesuit, with its distinctive quilted arms, laced pressure bladder, and helmet visor assembly, is shown in exceptional detail. This is an intimate pre-flight documentation image capturing the meticulous suit-check protocol that preceded every Mercury mission.

Historical Notes

When the photo was released on November 29, 1961, Carpenter was serving as backup to John Glenn for what would become the historic Friendship 7 mission (Mercury-Atlas 6). Glenn flew that mission on February 20, 1962, becoming the first American to orbit the Earth. Carpenter's turn came next: on May 24, 1962, he flew Aurora 7 (Mercury-Atlas 7), completing three orbits and becoming the second American to orbit Earth. The mission was not without drama - a combination of attitude control errors and pilot distraction caused Aurora 7 to overshoot its landing zone by 250 miles, triggering a tense 40-minute period before Carpenter was located safe in the Atlantic. Despite the successful flight, Carpenter never flew in space again. He transitioned to the Navy's SEALAB program, spending 30 days living underwater in 1965. He later pursued a career as an author and ocean explorer, and remained a celebrated figure of the early space age until his death on October 10, 2013.

Text Present

Front of photo:
- Name tag on suit reads: 'M.S. Carpenter' (or 'N.S. Carpenter' as partially visible)

Back of photo (typed press release):
NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION
WASHINGTON 25, D.C.

FOR RELEASE: 29 NOVEMBER 61
NASA PHOTO NO. 61-MA6-7

CAPE CANAVERAL, FLA....Astronaut Virgil I. Carpenter and Dr. William K. Douglas, the Astronauts' personal flight surgeon check Carpenter's pressure suit in the Astronauts' quarters in Hangar 'S' at Cape Canaveral, Fla. Carpenter was selected as backup pilot for th manned-orbital flight scheduled by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration for late 1961 or early 1962.

Note: The press release refers to 'Virgil I. Carpenter' - this appears to be a typo or confusion; the astronaut is M. Scott Carpenter (Malcolm Scott Carpenter), not 'Virgil I.' which is closer to Virgil 'Gus' Grissom's first name.

Print analysis

This is a Type 1 original NASA press photograph. The press release date of November 29, 1961 coincides with the content and release of the photo. The paper stock, silver gelatin surface quality, and NASA stamp/release number on the reverse (NASA Photo No. 61-MA6-7) are all consistent with an original period press print made at or very near the time the photo was taken. This is not a later reprint.

Condition

In good to very good vintage condition. Please see scans of the image we have provided for the most accurate and complete state of the photo.