S63-03975 (1963) --- Astronaut L. Gordon Cooper Jr., prime pilot for the Mercury-Atlas 9 (MA-9) mission, is pictured prior to entering the Mercury spacecraft for a series of simulated flight tests. During these tests NASA doctors, engineers and technicians monitor Cooper's performance. Photo credit: NASA

Astronaut Gordon Cooper leaves the Faith 7 (MA-9) spacecraft after a successful recovery operation. The MA-9 mission, the last flight of the Mercury Project, was launched on May 15, 1963, orbited the Earth 22 times, and lasted for 1-1/2 days.

Astronaut Gordon Cooper leaves the Faith 7 (MA-9) spacecraft after a successful recovery operation. The MA-9 mission, the last flight of the Mercury Project, was launched on May 15, 1963, orbited the Earth 22 times, and lasted for 1-1/2 days.

S63-09676-E (15 May 1963) --- Astronaut L. Gordon Cooper Jr., pilot of the Mercury-Atlas 9 (MA-9) Earth-orbital space mission, is assisted into his "Faith 7" Mercury spacecraft during the prelaunch countdown. MA-9 was launched on May 15, 1963, and the flight lasted for 34 hours and 20 minutes. Photo credit: NASA

S63-07521 (15 May 1963) --- Astronaut L. Gordon Cooper Jr., pilot of the Mercury-Atlas 9 (MA-9) Earth-orbital space mission, is assisted into his "Faith 7" Mercury spacecraft during the prelaunch countdown. MA-9 was launched on May 15, 1963, and the flight lasted for 34 hours and 20 minutes. Photo credit: NASA

The recovery operation of the Faith 7 spacecraft after the completion of the 1-1/2 day orbital flight (MA-9 mission) with Astronaut Gordon Cooper. Navy frogmen attach the flotation collar to the spacecraft. The MA-9 mission was the last flight of the Mercury Project and launched on May 15, 1963 boosted by The Mercury-Atlas launch vehicle.

S63-03980 (1963) --- Astronaut L. Gordon Cooper Jr., prime pilot for the Mercury-Atlas 9 (MA-9) mission, in flight in a Convair TF-102 aircraft. Photo credit: NASA

S63-07632 (15 May 1963) --- Astronaut L. Gordon Cooper Jr. leaves the transfer van for the launch pad and the beginning of the Mercury-Atlas 9 (MA-9) flight on May 15, 1963. Photo credit: NASA

Astronaut L. Gordon Cooper, Jr., one of the original seven astronauts for Mercury Project selected by NASA on April 27, 1959. The MA-9 mission, boosted by the Mercury-Atlas launch vehicle, was the last flight of the Mercury Project. The Faith 7 spacecraft orbited the Earth 22 times in 1-1/2 days.

Astronaut Walter M. "Wally" Schirra, one of the original seven astronauts for Mercury Project selected by NASA on April 27, 1959. The MA-8 (Mercury-Atlas) mission with Sigma 7 spacecraft was the third marned orbital flight by the United States, and made the six orbits in 9-1/4 hours.

S63-06124 (1963) --- Astronaut L. Gordon Cooper Jr., prime pilot for the Mercury Atlas 9 (MA-9) mission, arrives at the top of the gantry during a preflight simulated mission, three days before he is scheduled to take "Faith 7" on the 22-orbit flight. Photo credit: NASA

S63-07701 (16 May 1963) --- Recovery Force personnel bring the Mercury-Atlas 9 (MA-9) spacecraft aboard the prime recovery vessel following its successful flight into space. Pilot inside the spacecraft is astronaut L. Gordon Cooper Jr. Photo credit: NASA

S63-03989 (1963) --- Astronaut L. Gordon Cooper Jr., prime pilot for the Mercury Atlas 9 (MA-9) 22-orbit flight, stands by his privately owned Beechcraft Bonanza aircraft, at Patrick Air Base, Florida. Photo credit: NASA

S63-03966 (1963) --- Astronaut L. Gordon Cooper Jr., prime pilot for the Mercury-Atlas 9 (MA-9) mission, carrying the portable air conditioner to his spacesuit, leaves Hangar S after completing the day's simulated flight tests. Photo credit: NASA

S63-07881 (15-16 May 1963) --- Walter C. Williams, Flight Operations Director; and Chris Kraft, Chief of the Flight Operations Division, MSC, are shown in the Mercury Control Center, Cape Canaveral, Florida, as the decision to go for the full 22 orbits is made for the Mercury Atlas 9 (MA-9) mission. Photo credit: NASA

S63-07945 (23 May 1963) --- Flight Director Christopher C. Kraft Jr. rides in a Houston parade celebrating the successful completion of the final Mercury mission ? the MA-9 flight of astronaut Gordon Cooper. Photo credit: NASA

S63-03960 (1 Feb. 1963) --- Astronaut L. Gordon Cooper Jr., prime pilot for the Mercury-Atlas 9 (MA-9) mission, checks over the instrument panel from Mercury spacecraft #20 with Robert Graham, McDonnell Aircraft Corp. spacecraft engineer. It contains the instruments necessary to monitor spacecraft systems and sequencing, the controls required to initiate primary sequences manually, and flight control displays. Photo credit: NASA

S63-03978 (1963) --- Astronaut L. Gordon Cooper Jr., prime pilot for the Mercury-Atlas 9 (MA-9) mission, is strapped into the gondola while undergoing tests in the centrifuge at the Naval Air Development Center, Johnsville, Pennsylvania. The centrifuge is used to investigate by simulation the pilot's capability to control the vehicle during the actual flight in its booster and reentry profile. Photo credit: NASA

S63-07608 (1963) --- Preparation for launch of Mercury-Atlas 9 (MA-9). Photo credit: NASA

S63-03974 (1963) --- Astronaut L. Gordon Cooper Jr., prime pilot for the Mercury-Atlas 9 (MA-9) mission, relaxes while waiting for weight and balance tests to begin. Photo credit: NASA