One of the original Mercury astronauts, Scott Carpenter (front row, far right), passed away this week at the age of 88.
You have to be pretty much my age and older to remember the wonder and awe that was felt when the United States and the USSR first sent men into outer space. Carpenter was the fourth American to go into space aboard his Mercury Aurora 7 capsule in 1962. His flight was controversial, in that he landed 250 miles away from the intended splashdown location, and there were NASA officials critical of Carpenter for not properly following procedures and instructions, which resulted in the missed landing. Whatever the reasons, Carpenter's Mercury flight was his only mission into outer space.
John Glenn, at age 92, remains the last surviving member of the Mercury astronaut corps.
You would be well served if news of Carpenter's death prompts you to read Tom Wolfe's terrific book, "The Right Stuff" about the Mercury program and its astronauts, or see the equally terrific movie that was made from it.
RIP Scott Carpenter.
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