Astronaut Virgil Grissom walks on the recovery ship after completing the 15-1/2-minute suborbital MR-4 mission.

G60-02740 (May 1960) --- Astronaut Virgil I. Grissom. Photo credit: NASA

Astronaut Virgil Gus Grissom awaits America's second marned space mission, Mercury-Redstone 4 (MR-4) on July 21, 1961. During the 15-minute suborbital flight, the Liberty Bell 7 Mercury spacecraft reached an altitude of 118 miles and traveled 303 miles downrange. It was the fourth flight of the Mercury-Redstone launch vehicle (MR-4), developed by Dr. Wernher von Braun and the rocket team in Huntsville, Alabama.

S61-03684 (21 July 1961) --- Astronaut Virgil I. (Gus) Grissom and his family are shown at the airport at Patrick Air Force Base with NASA Administrator James E. Webb (right). Grissom is speaking into microphones for the news media. Photo credit: NASA

S87-40119 (1961) --- Astronaut Virgil I. Grissom. (NOTE: Astronaut "Gus" Grissom, one of the original seven astronauts, died January 27, 1967, at NASA?s John F. Kennedy Space Center (KSC), Cape Canaveral Florida, in the Apollo 1 spacecraft fire.)

S64-32343 (10 Sept. 1964) --- Astronaut Virgil I. Grissom Editor's Note: Grissom, one of the Original Seven or Mercury astronauts, lost his life in the Apollo 204 fire at Cape Kennedy on Jan. 27, 1967, along with astronauts Edward H. White II and Roger B. Chaffee.

S64-32110 (1964) --- Astronaut Virgil I. (Gus) Grissom

S61-04037 (1961) --- Astronaut Virgil I. (Gus) Grissom, pilot of the Mercury-Redstone 4 spaceflight, sits in a life raft during water egress training activies. Photo credit: NASA

Astronaut Virgil "Gus" Grissom at the controls of the Visual Docking Simulator. From A.W. Vogeley, "Piloted Space-Flight Simulation at Langley Research Center," Paper presented at the American Society of Mechanical Engineers 1966 Winter Meeting, New York, NY, November 27-December 1, 1966. "This facility was [later known as the Visual-Optical Simulator.] It presents to the pilot an out-the-window view of his target in correct 6 degrees of freedom motion. The scene is obtained by a television camera pick-up viewing a small-scale gimbaled model of the target." "For docking studies, the docking target picture was projected onto the surface of a 20-foot-diameter sphere and the pilot could, effectively, maneuver into contract. this facility was used in a comparison study with the Rendezvous Docking Simulator - one of the few comparison experiments in which conditions were carefully controlled and a reasonable sample of pilots used. All pilots preferred the more realistic RDS visual scene. The pilots generally liked the RDS angular motion cues although some objected to the false gravity cues that these motions introduced. Training time was shorter on the RDS, but final performance on both simulators was essentially equal. " "For station-keeping studies, since close approach is not required, the target was presented to the pilot through a virtual-image system which projects his view to infinity, providing a more realistic effect. In addition to the target, the system also projects a star and horizon background. "

Astronaut Virgil "Gus" Grissom at the controls of the Visual Docking Simulator. From A.W. Vogeley, "Piloted Space-Flight Simulation at Langley Research Center," Paper presented at the American Society of Mechanical Engineers 1966 Winter Meeting, New York, NY, November 27-December 1, 1966. "This facility was [later known as the Visual-Optical Simulator.] It presents to the pilot an out-the-window view of his target in correct 6 degrees of freedom motion. The scene is obtained by a television camera pick-up viewing a small-scale gimbaled model of the target." "For docking studies, the docking target picture was projected onto the surface of a 20-foot-diameter sphere and the pilot could, effectively, maneuver into contract. this facility was used in a comparison study with the Rendezvous Docking Simulator - one of the few comparison experiments in which conditions were carefully controlled and a reasonable sample of pilots used. All pilots preferred the more realistic RDS visual scene. The pilots generally liked the RDS angular motion cues although some objected to the false gravity cues that these motions introduced. Training time was shorter on the RDS, but final performance on both simulators was essentially equal. " "For station-keeping studies, since close approach is not required, the target was presented to the pilot through a virtual-image system which projects his view to infinity, providing a more realistic effect. In addition to the target, the system also projects a star and horizon background. "

S64-36909 (1961) --- Astronaut Virgil I. (Gus) Grissom, pilot of the Mercury-Redstone 4 (MR-4) spaceflight, wearing Mercury pressure suit, poses for picture during training activities at the Florida Space Center. Photo credit: NASA

S61-03687 (21 July 1961) --- Astronaut Virgil I. (Gus) Grissom and his family are shown at the airport at Patrick Air Force Base facing a crowd of news media representatives. Grissom is speaking into microphones for the news media. Photo credit: NASA

B59-00586 (1959) --- Astronaut Virgil (Gus) Grissom is seen preparing for training in the centrifuge at Johnsville. A Navy corpsman attaches sensors to Grissom to monitor his body's reaction to the centrifuge. Photo credit: NASA

View of Astronaut Virgil I. Grissom through spacecraft window prior to launch of Gemini-Titan 3 mission.

Assisted by Astronaut John Glenn, Astronaut Virgil Grissom enters the Mercury capsule, Liberty Bell 7, for the MR-4 mission on July 21, 1961. Boosted by the Mercury-Redstone vehicle, the MR-4 mission was the second manned suborbital flight.

A U.S. Marine helicopter attempts to retrieve the sinking capsule, Liberty Bell 7, of the MR-4 mission. The attempt failed and the capsule sank. The MR-4 mission marned by Astronaut Virgil Grissom was the second manned orbital flight boosted by the Mercury-Redstone vehicle. The Recovery ship is in the background.

Liftoff of MR-4 (Mercury-Redstone), Liberty Bell 7, on July 21, 1961. MR-4 mission was the second marned suborbital flight and carried Astronaut Virgil Grissom aboard the Liberty Bell 7 spacecraft in space for a duration of 15-1/2 minutes.

B60-00708 (1960) --- Astronaut Virgil I (Gus) Grissom pictured standing beside a F-102 on the flight line. Photo credit: NASA

S64-36915 (1961) --- A NASA suit technician adjusts astronaut Virgil I. (Gus) Grissom's Mercury pressure suit during prelaunch activities at the Florida Space Center. Photo credit: NASA

The grave marker of Virgil "Gus" Grissom, from Apollo 1, is seen after a wreath laying ceremony that was part of NASA's Day of Remembrance, Thursday, Jan. 27, 2022, at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Va. Wreaths were laid in memory of those men and women who lost their lives in the quest for space exploration. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

The grave marker of Virgil "Gus" Grissom, from Apollo 1, is seen after a wreath laying ceremony that was part of NASA's Day of Remembrance, Thursday, Jan. 28, 2021, at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Va. Wreaths were laid in memory of those men and women who lost their lives in the quest for space exploration. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

S88-55873 (1961) --- Astronaut Virgil I. (Gus) Grissom, pilot of the Mercury-Redstone 4 (MR-4) spaceflight. (NOTE: Astronaut "Gus" Grissom, one of the original seven astronauts, died Jan. 27, 1967, at NASA?s John F. Kennedy Space Center (KSC), Cape Canaveral Florida, in the Apollo 1 spacecraft fire.) Photo credit: NASA

S61-03893 (26 April 1961) --- Astronaut Virgil I. (Gus) Grissom, wearing the new Mercury spacesuit, poses for a picture during emergency egress training activities at the Florida Space Center. He is seen standing in front of a mock-up of the Mercury capsule. Photo credit: NASA

S61-03885 (26 April 1961) --- Astronaut Virgil I. (Gus) Grissom, wearing the new Mercury spacesuit, stands outside of a mock-up of the Mercury capsule on the deck of a ship taking him to emergency water egress training activities. Photo credit: NASA

Gus Grissom trying on a Spacesuit; Seated with assistant; Seated with assistant putting on boots; Standing by mirror, name tag visible; Outside in suit, name tag visible. Mercury Project photo, 1961. Original negatives sent to Johnson Space Center when astronauts moved to that center. Photograph take on 03/27/1961.

Gus Grissom trying on a Spacesuit; Seated with assistant; Seated with assistant putting on boots; Standing by mirror, name tag visible; Outside in suit, name tag visible. Mercury Project photo, 1961. Original negatives sent to Johnson Space Center when astronauts moved to that center. Photograph take on 03/27/1961.

Gus Grissom trying on a Spacesuit; Seated with assistant; Seated with assistant putting on boots; Standing by mirror, name tag visible; Outside in suit, name tag visible. Mercury Project photo, 1961. Original negatives sent to Johnson Space Center when astronauts moved to that center. Photograph take on 03/27/1961.

Gus Grissom trying on a Spacesuit; Seated with assistant; Seated with assistant putting on boots; Standing by mirror, name tag visible; Outside in suit, name tag visible. Mercury Project photo, 1961. Original negatives sent to Johnson Space Center when astronauts moved to that center. Photograph take on 03/27/1961.

S61-02819 (21 July 1961) --- A U.S. Marine Corps helicopter retrieves astronaut Virgil I. Grissom from the Atlantic Ocean following the Mercury-Redstone 4 (MR-4) spaceflight. Grissom's "Liberty Bell" Mercury spacecraft sank to the bottom of the ocean and was not recovered. Photo credit: NASA

S61-02731 (5 May 1961) --- Astronaut Alan B. Shepard Jr. arrives at Grand Bahamas Island and is greeted by astronaut Virgil I. (Gus) Grissom after the first American suborbital flight. He will participate in a press conference with Grissom and Donald Slayton. Photo credit: NASA or National Aeronautics and Space Administration

The grave markers of Roger Chaffee, and Virgil "Gus" Grissom and from Apollo 1, are seen in this black and white infrared photograph after a wreath laying ceremony that was part of NASA's Day of Remembrance, Thursday, Jan. 28, 2021, at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Va. Wreaths were laid in memory of those men and women who lost their lives in the quest for space exploration. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

A wreath placed by NASA Deputy Administrator Shana Dale and other NASA senior management is seen in between Astronauts Virgil Grissom and Roger Chaffee memorials Thursday, Jan. 31, 2008, at Arlington National Cemetery. The wreath laying ceremony is part of NASA's Day of Remembrance. Wreaths were laid in the memory of those men and women who lost their lives in the quest of space exploration, including the astronaut crews of Columbia, Challenger and Apollo 1. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

Astronaut Virgil I. Grissom and other members of the first Apollo Crew inspect spacecraft equipment during a visit to NAA. NAA, INC., DOWNEY, CA B&W

The grave markers of Virgil "Gus" Grissom, foreground, and Roger Chaffee, from Apollo 1, are seen as acting NASA Administrator Steve Jurczyk pays respects during a ceremony that was part of NASA's Day of Remembrance, Thursday, Jan. 28, 2021, at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Va. Wreaths were laid in memory of those men and women who lost their lives in the quest for space exploration. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

The Apollo 1 grave sites of Virgil I. “Gus” Grissom, and Roger B. Chaffee are seen with flowers as part of NASA's Day of Remembrance, Thursday, Jan. 23, 2025, at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Va. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

NASA astronaut Doug Wheelock lays a wreath at the grave marker of Virgil "Gus" Grissom from Apollo 1 as part of National Wreaths Across America Day, Sat., Dec. 14, 2019 at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Va. National Wreaths Across America Day is held annually to celebrate the lives of military veterans and wreaths are placed at the foot of every headstone. Wheelock honored those who lost their lives in the quest for space exploration as well as fellow service members. Photo Credit: (NASA/Aubrey Gemignani)

The grave markers of Virgil "Gus" Grissom and Roger Chaffee, from Apollo 1, are seen after a wreath laying ceremony that was part of NASA's Day of Remembrance, Wednesday, Jan. 28, 2015, at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Va. Wreaths were laid in memory of those men and women who lost their lives in the quest for space exploration. Photo Credit: (NASA/Joel Kowsky)

NASA acting Administrator Janet Petro, background, and NASA Astronaut Kayla Barron, place flowers at the Apollo 1 grave sites of Virgil I. “Gus” Grissom, and Roger B. Chaffee as part of NASA's Day of Remembrance, Thursday, Jan. 23, 2025, at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Va. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

NASA acting Administrator Janet Petro, background, and NASA Astronaut Kayla Barron, place flowers at the Apollo 1 grave sites of Virgil I. “Gus” Grissom, and Roger B. Chaffee as part of NASA's Day of Remembrance, Thursday, Jan. 23, 2025, at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Va. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

NASA Project Mercury astronaut. -- Grissom was later known as Gus .

Lowell Grissom, brother of Apollo 1 astronaut Virgil I. “Gus” Grissom, is joined by NASA Administrator Bill Nelson as he places flowers at the Apollo 1 monument during its dedication at Arlington National Cemetery, Thursday, June 2, 2022, in Arlington, Va. The monument honors and memorializes the Apollo 1 crew of Virgil I. “Gus” Grissom, Edward H. White II, and Roger B. Chaffee. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

Lowell Grissom, brother of Apollo 1 astronaut Virgil I. “Gus” Grissom, delivers remarks at a reception following the dedication of the Apollo 1 monument, Thursday, June 2, 2022, in the Reception Hall of the Military Women’s Memorial at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Va. The monument honors and memorializes the Apollo 1 crew of Virgil I. “Gus” Grissom, Edward H. White II, and Roger B. Chaffee. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

Astronauts Young and Virgil I. Grissom relax on the day of the proposed Gemini 6 Mission. CAPE KENNEDY, FL

S66-58023 (1966) --- NASA suit technicians assist astronaut Virgil I. Grissom during suiting operations prior to tests at the Kennedy Space Center.

S61-01490 (4 April 1961) --- Astronaut Virgil Grissom photographed in the new Mercury spacesuit, holding his helmet. Photo credit: NASA

B59-00587 (1959) --- Astronaut Virgil (Gus) Grissom is pictured leaving a U.S. Navy installation and removing his helmet. Photo credit: NASA

S65-14454 (23 Feb. 1965) --- A technician adjusts the suit of astronaut Virgil I. Grissom during water egress training operations in the Gulf of Mexico. Astronaut John W. Young (standing) observes. Grissom and Young are the prime crew for the Gemini-Titan 3 flight scheduled this spring.

S61-02889 (1961) --- Astronaut Virgil I. (Gus) Grissom approaches his Mercury-Redstone 4 (MR-4) launch vehicle to begin his mission. To the left of the view is an emergency shower stall, to the right is the elevator which will take Grissom to the capsule. Photo credit: NASA

S64-19430 (13 April 1964) --- Astronauts Virgil I. Grissom (left), Gemini-3 command pilot; and John W. Young, pilot. EDITOR?S NOTE: Astronaut Grissom lost his life in the Apollo 1/Saturn 204 fire at Cape Kennedy on Jan. 27, 1967.

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- Marine helicopter appears to have Liberty Bell 7 in tow after Virgil I. Grissom's successful flight of 305 miles down the Atlantic Missile Range. Minutes after 'Gus' Grissom got out of the spacecraft, it sank. (NASA Photo

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- Astronaut Virgil I. Grissom walks across the deck of the U.S.S. Randolph after being airlifted by helicopter from the Liberty Bell 7 impact area. 'Gus' Grissom was the second U.S. man in space. (NASA Photo)

Lowell Grissom, brother of Apollo 1 astronaut Virgil I. “Gus” Grissom, is joined by NASA Administrator Bill Nelson as he places flowers at the Apollo 1 monument during its dedication at Arlington National Cemetery, Thursday, June 2, 2022, in Arlington, Va. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

S61-02897 (21 July 1961) --- Virgil I. (Gus) Grissom, pilot of the Mercury-Redstone 4 (MR-4) ?Liberty Bell 7? spaceflight, talking on the phone with President Kennedy. Grissom is still wearing his pressure suit. Photo credit: NASA

Seen in this view left to right Astronauts Virgil I. Grissom and John Young stand in front of Gemini trainer prior to test, MCC. MSC, HOUSTON, TX CN

S65-13243 (6 Jan. 1965) --- Astronaut Virgil I. Grissom, Gemini-Titan 3 command pilot, is shown entering the Gemini-3 spacecraft for a communications test at the Merritt Island launch area.

S61-03121 (21 July 1961) --- Mercury-Redstone 4 (MR-4) launch of Virgil I. Grissom on July 21, 1961, from Cape Canaveral, Florida. Photo credit: NASA

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- CHAMBER TEST - Project Mercury astronaut Virgil I. 'Gus' Grissom, assisted by McDonnell technicians, leaves Mercury spacecraft, dubbed Liberty Bell 7, following simulated flight.

S65-20636 (1965) --- Astronauts John W. Young (left), pilot, and Virgil I. Grissom, command pilot, for the Gemini-Titan 3 flight, are shown leaving the launch pad after simulations in the Gemini-3 spacecraft.

S65-20605 (23 March 1965) --- Astronaut Virgil I. Grissom, the command pilot of the Gemini-Titan 3 mission, is shown through the window of the open hatch on the Gemini spacecraft in the white room on the morning of the launch.

S65-22665 (8 March 1965) --- Astronaut Virgil I. Grissom, the command pilot of the Gemini-Titan 3 prime crew, is shown in the Gemini-3 spacecraft at Pad 19 during GT-3 checkout.

S61-00239 (1961) --- Mercury astronauts John H. Glenn Jr., Virgil I. Grissom and Alan B. Shepard Jr. standing by Redstone rocket in their spacesuits. Photo credit: NASA

S65-20641 (1965) --- Astronauts John W. Young (left), pilot, and Virgil I. Grissom, command pilot, for the Gemini-Titan 3 flight, are shown leaving the launch pad after simulations in the Gemini-3 spacecraft.

S65-23486 (23 March 1965) --- Astronaut Virgil I. Grissom, command pilot of the Gemini-Titan 3 space flight, is shown in the suiting trailer at Pad 16 going over a checklist with suit technician Joe Schmitt.

S63-02651 (21 July 1961) --- This is a ground-level view of the Mercury-Redstone (MR-4) launch of Virgil I. Grissom on July 21, 1961, from Cape Canaveral, Florida. Photo credit: NASA

1961 -- The first three Americans in space, Mercury astronauts, from the left, John H. Glenn Jr., Virgil I. (Gus) Grissom and Alan B. Shepard Jr. standing by Redstone rocket in their spacesuits.

S61-02845 (1961) --- Portrait of astronaut Virgil I. (Gus) Grissom in his pressure suit and wearing his helmet in Hangar S at Cape Canaveral, Florida before the Mercury-Redstone 4 mission. Photo credit: NASA

S65-20637 (1965) --- Astronauts John W. Young, pilot, and Virgil I. Grissom, command pilot, for the Gemini-Titan 3 flight, are shown entering launch pad abort rescue vehicle during training exercise.

Prime Crew A/S 204 Astronauts Edward White, Virgil I. Grissom, & Roger Chaffee receive water egress training in the Gulf of Mexico. "Duchess" yacht for newmen. GULF OF MEXICO B&W/CN

S61-03676 (23 July 1961) --- Astronaut Virgil I. (Gus) Grissom speaks at a press conference on July 23, 1961 held at the Starlight motel. Behind him is a large representation of the NASA logo. Photo credit: NASA

S65-20601 (23 March 1965) --- Astronaut Virgil Grissom, command pilot of the Gemini-Titan 3 flight, is photographed suiting up for his mission. Technicians help him adjust his suit's gloves.

S65-20429 (21 March 1965) --- Astronaut Virgil I. Grissom, command pilot for the Gemini-Titan 3 mission, receives an eye examination during the physical given to the GT-3 crew two days before launch.

S65-20624 (25 March 1965) --- Gemini-Titan 3 astronauts Virgil I. Grissom (left) and John W. Young examine some of the negatives of photographs taken on their three-orbit flight on March 23, 1965.

S61-03248 (21 July 1961) --- Mercury-Redstone 4 (MR-4) launch of Virgil I. Grissom on July 21, 1961, from Cape Canaveral, Florida. Photo credit: NASA

S61-03664 (23 July 1961) --- Astronaut Virgil I. (Gus) Grissom's wife and son watch from the audience as a press conference is held on July 23, 1961 at the Starlight motel. Photo credit: NASA

S65-18733 (23 March 1965) --- Astronauts Virgil I. Grissom (left) and John W. Young are shown aboard a helicopter after being retrieved from their spacecraft following the Gemini-Titan 3 flight.

S61-02385 (5 July 1961) --- Astronaut Alan B. Shepard Jr. arrives at Grand Bahamas Island and is greeted by astronauts Virgil I. (Gus) Grissom (right) and Donald Slayton (left) and also by Keith Lindell (between Shepard and Grissom) after the first American suborbital flight. He will participate in a press conference with Grissom and Slayton. Photo credit: NASA or National Aeronautics and Space Administration

S64-19432 (13 April 1964) --- Left to right are astronauts John W. Young, Virgil I. Grissom, Walter M. Schirra Jr. and Thomas P. Stafford. Gemini III crew assignments are as follows: Grissom, command pilot; Young, pilot, on the prime crew, with Schirra (command pilot) and Stafford (pilot) serving as alternates. EDITOR'S NOTE: For the Gemini-Titan VI mission, Grissom and Young served as backups for Schirra and Stafford.

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- Lowell Grissom addresses guests attending a ceremony at the KSC Visitor Complex held in remembrance of the astronauts lost in the Apollo 1 fire: Virgil "Gus" Grissom, Edward H. White II and Roger B. Chaffee. Grissom is the brother of Gus Grissom. Members of the Apollo 1 families, along with KSC Director Bill Parsons, Associate Administrator for Space Operations William Gerstenmaier, President of the Astronauts Memorial Foundation Stephen Feldman, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Astronauts Memorial Foundation William Potter and former astronaut John Young (seen at lower right), attended the ceremony. Photo credit:NASA/Kim Shiflett

NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida paid tribute to the crews of Apollo 1 and space shuttles Challenger and Columbia, as well as other astronauts who lost their lives while furthering the cause of exploration and discovery, during the agency's Day of Remembrance on Jan. 27, 2022. Lowell Grissom, brother of fall astronaut Virgil “Gus” Grissom, speaks during a ceremony at the Center for Space Education at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex.

S61-02826 (21 July 1961) --- A U.S. Marine Corps helicopter attempts an unsuccessful recovery of the Mercury-Redstone 4 "Liberty Bell 7" spacecraft. The spacecraft hatch opened prematurely, and astronaut Virgil I. Grissom, pilot, escaped into the water. The helicopter hooked onto the spacecraft but could not retrieve it. Grissom was recovered by another helicopter and flown to the recovery ship, USS Randolph. The Mercury spacecraft sank to the bottom of the ocean. Photo credit: NASA

S61-02888 (1961) --- Astronaut Virgil I. (Gus) Grissom, suited up and ready to climb into Liberty Bell 7 spacecraft, stands in front of the capsule for a picture. Backup pilot John Glenn is in the right corner of the view behind Grissom. The Mercury-Redstone 4 (MR-4) mission was scrubbed a few hours later due to unfavorable weather over the launch pad. Photo credit: NASA

S61-02824 (21 July 1961) --- A U.S. Marine Corps helicopter attempts an unsuccessful recovery of the Mercury-Redstone 4 "Liberty Bell 7" spacecraft. The spacecraft hatch opened prematurely, and astronaut Virgil I. Grissom, pilot, escaped into the water. The helicopter hooked onto the spacecraft but could not retrieve it. Grissom was recovered by another helicopter and flown to the recovery ship, USS Randolph. The Mercury spacecraft sank to the bottom of the ocean. Photo credit: NASA

S66-30236 (1 April 1966) --- The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) has named these astronauts as the prime crew of the first manned Apollo Space Flight. Left to right, are Edward H. White II, command module pilot; Virgil I. Grissom, mission commander; and Roger B. Chaffee, lunar module pilot. Editor's Note: Astronauts Grissom, White and Chaffee lost their lives in a Jan. 27, 1967 fire in the Apollo Command Module (CM) during testing at the launch facility.

S65-20639 (18 March 1965) --- Astronaut Virgil I. Grissom, Gemini-Titan 3 command pilot, reclines on a couch in the Pad 16 ready room during preflight checks prior to going to Pad 19 for flight simulations in the Gemini-3 spacecraft. Joe Schmitt, suit technician from NASA?s Manned Spacecraft Center Crew Systems Division, stands by to assist Grissom.

61-MR4-76 (1961) --- Astronaut Virgil I. (Gus) Grissom, suited up and ready to climb into Liberty Bell 7 spacecraft, poses for a picture. Backup pilot John Glenn is in the right corner of the view behind Grissom. The Mercury-Redstone 4 (MR-4) mission was scrubbed a few hours later due to unfavorable weather over the launch pad. Photo credit: NASA

S64-10761 (1962) --- Astronauts Virgil I. (Gus) Grissom (left) and John H. Glenn Jr. hold a discussion in the Mercury Control Center during Mercury-Atlas 6 preflight activity. Glenn is the MA-6 pilot. Grissom was the pilot for the Mercury-Redstone 4 spaceflight made on July 21, 1961. Photo credit: NASA

S65-23489 (23 March 1965) --- Astronaut Virgil I. Grissom, the command pilot of the Gemini-Titan 3 (GT-3) space flight, is shown in the GT-3 spacecraft just before the hatches are secured prior to launch. Grissom and his pilot, astronaut John W. Young, made three orbits of Earth during the GT-3 mission, in four hours and 53 minutes.

S65-21864 (19 March 1965) --- Astronauts Virgil I. Grissom (left), command pilot; and John W. Young, pilot, prepare to run Gemini-Titan 3 simulations in the Gemini mission simulator at Cape Kennedy, Florida. The NASA GT-3 flight was scheduled for March 23, 1965.

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- Marine helicopter has astronaut Virgil I. Grissom in harness and is bringing him up out of the water. The Liberty Bell 7 spacecraft has just sunk below the water. His Mercury-Redstone 4 launch was the second in the U.S. manned space effort.

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - Astronauts Deke Slayton, far left, and Virgil Grissom, far right, were on hand to greet Astronaut Alan B. Shepard at Grand Bahama Island after his historic first U.S. manned suborbital flight. Just behind Astronaut Shepard is Dr. Keith Lyndell.

S65-19225 (23 March 1965) --- This view of astronauts John W. Young (left), pilot, and Virgil I. Grissom, command pilot, was taken through the window of the open hatch on Young's side of the Gemini-Titan 3 spacecraft just before the hatches were closed in readiness for their three-orbit flight.

CAPE KENNEDY, Fla. -- At Cape Kennedy Air Force Station in Florida, Gemini 3 pilot John W. Young is followed by command pilot Virgil I. Grissom as they walk to elevator at Launch Complex 19 for their three orbit flight, the first mission of the Gemini spacecraft. Photo Credit: NASA

S64-10806 (21 July 1961) --- Astronaut Virgil I. (Gus) Grissom, pilot of the Mercury-Redstone 4 (MR-4) spaceflight, in his Mercury "Liberty Bell 7" spacecraft is checking his flight plan during prelaunch activities. Photo credit: NASA

S64-31447 (10 Sept. 1964) --- Astronaut Roger B. Chaffee Editor's Note: Astronaut Chaffee died in the Apollo/Saturn 204 fire accident at Cape Canaveral, Florida, on Jan. 27, 1967, along with astronauts Virgil I. Grissom and Edward H. White II.

G61-00490 (1961) --- Astronaut Virgil I. (Gus) Grissom, wearing the new Mercury pressure suit, is preparing for centrifuge training. He is receiving assistance in adjusting the breathing apparatus which is attached to a data recording device at his feet. Assisting him is Dr. Jackson. Photo credit: NASA

Astronaut Virgil Grissom chats with Astronaut John Glenn prior to entering the Liberty Bell 7 capsule for the MR-4 Mission. The MR-4 mission was the second manned suborbital flight using the Mercury-Redstone booster, which was developed by the Marshall Space Flight Center.

S64-40294 (19 Nov. 1964) --- Astronauts Virgil I. Grissom (center) and John W. Young (left), prime crew for the Gemini-Titan 3 mission, are shown inspecting the inside of Gemini spacecraft at the Mission Control Center at Cape Kennedy, Florida. Riley D. McCafferty is at right. Photo credit: NASA

S65-13244 (6 Jan. 1965) --- The Gemini-Titan 3 prime crew, astronauts Virgil I. Grissom (left) and John W. Young, are shown in the Gemini-3 spacecraft during a communications test at the Merritt Island launch area.

S65-18645 (23 March 1965) --- Navy swimmers are shown attaching a flotation collar to the Gemini-Titan 3 (GT-3) spacecraft during recovery operations following the successful flight. A helicopter hovers in the background. Astronauts Virgil I. Grissom and John W. Young are still in the spacecraft.

The original seven astronauts for the Mercury Project pose in front of an Air Force Jet. From left to right: Scott Carpenter, L. Gordon Cooper, John H. Glenn, Virgil I. Gus Grissom, Walter M. Wally Schirra, Alan B. Shepard, and Donald K. Deke Slayton.