The First Seven Astronauts Press Conference 1959

On April 9, 1959, NASA held a press conference to introduce the seven Mercury astronauts to the nation and the world. The astronauts were: - Malcolm S. Carpenter - Leroy G. Cooper - John H. Glenn - Virgil I. Grissom - Walter M. Schirra - Alan B. Shepard - Donald K. Slayton The press conference was held in the ballroom of the Dolley Madison House in Washington, D.C., which served as NASA's first headquarters. The astronauts were seated at a long table on a makeshift stage, and NASA Administrator T. Keith Glennan introduced them in alphabetical order.The press conference was a major media event, and it was attended by reporters from around the world. The astronauts were asked a wide range of questions, including their thoughts on being selected to be the first Americans in space, their training program, and their expectations for the future.One of the most famous moments from the press conference came when the astronauts were asked if they felt confident they would return from space. All seven astronauts raised their hands, and John Glenn even raised both hands.The First Seven Astronauts Press Conference was a historic event, and it marked the beginning of America's human spaceflight program. The Mercury astronauts paved the way for the Apollo program, which landed the first humans on the moon in 1969.Here are some excerpts from the press conference: - NASA Administrator T. Keith Glennan: "These men are the best of the best. They are the cream of the crop." - Astronaut Alan B. Shepard: "I am confident that I will return from space. I have faith in the equipment and the people who are designing and building it." - Astronaut John H. Glenn: "I am excited about the prospect of being the first American in space. It is a great honor to be selected for this program." The First Seven Astronauts Press Conference was a watershed moment in American history. It marked the beginning of a new era of exploration and discovery.