Schirra Cooper Mercury MA-8 Sigma 7 Pre-Flight Check 1962 - Original NASA Photo

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Schirra Cooper Mercury MA-8 Sigma 7 Pre-Flight Check 1962 - Original NASA Photo:
$135.00

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.

Photo Overview

This remarkable 8x10 Official NASA photograph, numbered S-62-5190 and dated September 1962, shows Mercury astronauts L. Gordon Cooper and Walter M. (Wally) Schirra inspecting the MA-8 spacecraft (Mercury-Atlas 8) in Hangar S's white room at Cape Canaveral. The two astronauts are seen closely examining the spacecraft's heat shield and retrorocket package - the distinctive pinwheel-pattern retropack assemblies are clearly visible filling the right side of the frame. A 'DANGER - FLASHING LIGHT INDICATES' warning sign is visible in the background. The image captures a critical pre-flight inspection moment just weeks before the MA-8 mission launch.

Schirra was the prime crew for the MA-8 mission, with Cooper serving as his backup. This photo was taken roughly one month before Schirra's historic six-orbit flight.

Historical Notes

The MA-8 mission, named Sigma 7, launched on October 3, 1962, with Wally Schirra at the controls. The mission was a near-perfect engineering flight, lasting 9 hours, 13 minutes, and completing six Earth orbits - the longest American spaceflight to that point. Schirra's precise fuel conservation and textbook re-entry earned him the unofficial title of 'the astronaut's astronaut.' He splashed down in the Pacific Ocean and was recovered by the USS Kearsarge.

Gordon Cooper, who served as Schirra's backup on MA-8, went on to fly the final Mercury mission himself - Mercury-Atlas 9 (Faith 7) on May 15, 1963, completing 22 orbits over 34 hours. Cooper later flew on Gemini 5 in 1965. Schirra went on to command Apollo 7 in 1968, the first crewed Apollo mission. Both men are now celebrated as legends of the Mercury Seven program.

Text Present

Front of photo (upper left corner):
NASA
S-62-5190

Back of photo:
S-62-5190 9/62

Mercury Astronauts L. Gordon Cooper and Walter M. Schirra check MA-8 spacecraft in Hangar S white room.

OFFICIAL NASA PHOTOGRAPH

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration has no objection to the publication of this photograph.

Its use in commercial advertising must be approved, along with copy and layout, by the Public Affairs Officer, National Aeronautics and Space Administration, Manned Spacecraft Center, Houston 1, Texas

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.