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

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.

S61-02731 (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 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 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)

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

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)

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.)

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.

S61-03740 (20 July 1961) --- Astronaut John H. Glenn Jr. and a technician examine the interior of the Liberty Bell 7, the capsule flown a few days later during the Mercury-Redstone 4 mission with astronaut Virgil I. (Gus) Grissom. Photo credit: NASA

The Apollo 1 monument at Arlington National Cemetery is seen following its dedication, 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)

S61-02839 (1961) --- Astronaut Virgil I. (Gus) Grissom, pilot of the Mercury-Redstone 4 (MR-4) spaceflight, suits up for MR-4 simulation training. Assisting is suit technician Joe Schmitt. Photo credit: NASA

The Apollo 1 monument is seen 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)

S61-02898 (21 July 1961) --- Virgil I. (Gus) Grissom, pilot of the Mercury-Redstone 4 (MR-4) ?Liberty Bell 7? spaceflight, enjoys a meal aboard the recovery ship, USS Randolph, following his 15-minute, 37-second suborbital space mission. Photo credit: NASA

A wreath is left at the Apollo 1 monument as part of NASA's Day of Remembrance, Thursday, Jan. 23, 2025, 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)

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

Astronaut Virgil I. "Gus" Grissom, one of the original seven astronauts for Mercury Project selected by NASA on April 27, 1959. The MR-4 mission, boosted by the Mercury-Redstone vehicle, made the second marned suborbital flight. The capsule, Liberty Bell 7, sank into the sea after the splashdown.

A wreath is left at the Apollo 1 monument as part of NASA's Day of Remembrance, Thursday, Jan. 23, 2025, 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)

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

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

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

S61-02882 (1961) --- Astronaut Virgil I. (Gus) Grissom, suited up and ready to climb into Liberty Bell 7 spacecraft, talks with backup pilot John H. Glenn prior to insertion. The Mercury-Redstone 4 (MR-4) mission was scrubbed a few hours later due to unfavorable weather over the launch pad. Photo credit: NASA

Family members of Apollo 1 astronaut Edward H. White II are joined by NASA Administrator Bill Nelson as they place 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)

S61-02881 (1961) --- Astronaut Virgil I. (Gus) Grissom, suited up in a newly designed pressure suit, is assisted as he climbs into Liberty Bell 7 spacecraft. Behind him backup pilot John Glenn watches the insertion. The Mercury-Redstone 4 (MR-4) mission was scrubbed a few hours later due to unfavorable weather over the launch pad. Photo credit: NASA

NASA acting Administrator Janet Petro leads guests to a moment of silence at the Apollo 1 monument as part of NASA's Day of Remembrance, Thursday, Jan. 23, 2025, 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)

The group portrait of the original seven astronauts for the Mercury Project. NASA selected its first seven astronauts on April 27, 1959. Left to right at front: Walter M. Wally Schirra, Donald K. Deke Slayton, John H. Glenn, Jr., and Scott Carpenter. Left to right at rear: Alan B. Shepard, Virgil I. Gus Grissom, and L. Gordon Cooper, Jr.

Lance Bush, President and CEO of the Challenge Center, 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)

NASA Astronaut Kayla Barron is seen during a moment of silence at the Apollo 1 monument as part of NASA's Day of Remembrance, Thursday, Jan. 23, 2025, 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)

NASA Administrator Bill Nelson delivers remarks at the dedication of the Apollo 1 monument 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)

Eric Fanning, AIA President and CEO, left, Lance Bush, President and CEO of the Challenge Center, center, NASA Administrator Bill Nelson, right, are seen as they deliver remarks during the dedication of the Apollo 1 monument 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)

S64-25295 (March 1964) --- Astronauts Virgil I. (Gus) Grissom (right) and John W. Young, prime crew for the first manned Gemini mission (GT-3), are shown inside a Gemini mission simulator at McDonnell Aircraft Corp., St. Louis, MO. The simulator will provide Gemini astronauts and ground crews with realistic mission simulation during intensive training prior to actual launch.

NASA acting Administrator Janet Petro leads guests to a moment of silence at the Apollo 1 monument as part of NASA's Day of Remembrance, Thursday, Jan. 23, 2025, 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)

MANNED SPACECRAFT CENTER, HOUSTON, TX. -- FIRST ASTRONAUT TEAM -- Project Mercury Astronauts, whose selection was announced on April 9, 1959, only six months after the National Aeronautics and Space Administration was formally established on Oct. 1, 1958, included: front row, left to right, Walter H. Schirra Jr., Donald K. Slayton, John H. Glenn Jr., and Scott Carpenter back row, Alan B. Shepard Jr., Virgil I. 'Gus' Grissom, and L. Gordon Cooper.

NASA Administrator Bill Nelson 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)

S61-03698 (1961) --- Astronaut Virgil I. (Gus) Grissom, suited up and ready to climb into Liberty Bell 7 spacecraft, sits in front of his capsule for a picture. Behind him technicians work inside the capsule. The Mercury-Redstone 4 (MR-4) mission was scrubbed a few hours later due to unfavorable weather over the launch pad. Photo credit: NASA

Eric Fanning, AIA President and CEO, left, Lance Bush, President and CEO of the Challenge Center, center, NASA Administrator Bill Nelson, left, are seen as they deliver remarks during the dedication of the Apollo 1 monument 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)

Family members of Apollo 1 astronaut Roger B. Chaffee are joined by NASA Administrator Bill Nelson as they place 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)

Sheryl Chaffee, daughter of Apollo 1 astronaut Roger B. Chaffee, 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)

Eric Fanning, AIA President and CEO, 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)

S88-55875 (19 July 1961) --- Donning a spacesuit for the Mercury-Redstone 4 (MR-4) mission, astronaut Virgil I. (Gus) Grissom chats with spaceflight equipment specialist Joe W. Schmitt in the personal equipment room of Hangar S at Cape Canaveral, Florida. Shortly after this photograph was taken, the launch was postponed two days due to unfavorable weather conditions in the area. Photo credit: NASA

S61-02894 (21 July 1961) --- Astronaut Virgil I. (Gus) Grissom, pilot of the Mercury-Redstone 4 (MR-4) “Liberty Bell 7” spaceflight, arrives aboard the recovery ship, USS Randolph, following his 15-minute, 37-second suborbital space mission. He is flanked by military medical officers. Photo credit: NASA

Family members of Apollo 1 astronaut Edward H. White II are joined by NASA Administrator Bill Nelson as they place 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)

CAPE CANAVERAL, FLA. -- The Original Seven Mercury Astronauts pose beside an Air Force F-102 jet. Standing, left to right, are M. Scott Carpenter, L. Gordon Cooper, John H. Glenn Jr., Virgil I. 'Gus' Grissom, Walter M. Schirra Jr., Alan B. Shepherd Jr., and Donald K. 'Deke' Slayton.

NASA Administrator Bill Nelson 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)

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- READY FOR FLIGHT - On level three of gantry on pad 5, Project Mercury astronaut Virgil I. 'Gus' Grissom pauses briefly while a technician completes final adjustment in the Liberty Bell 7 spacecraft, which carried Grissom 118 miles into space on Friday, July 21, 1961. The craft's large trapezoidal observation window can be seen behind the pilot. The Pilot Observer Camera, which brought the astronaut's head and shoulders into view, was to reflect the lights on the flight events sequence panel through the 5-inch plexiglas parabolic mirror attached to Grissom's suit, to provide and accurately time record the pilot's voice communications, eye scan pattern and arm motions. The spacecraft sank on landing and has not been recovered. (NASA Photo)

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- AWAITING ORDERS to proceed to the launching site for Project Mercury's second attempt to launch a man into space, Astronaut Virgil I. 'Gus' Grissom relaxes in a contour chair in the Personal Equipment Room Hangar 'S,' Cape Canaveral, Fla. A parabolic plexiglas mirror on his chest reflects the faces of two fellow Mercury pilots: Walter M. Schirra (left) and M. Scott Carpenter. The mirror, which was not included in the May 5 Shepard flight, will be used to reflect the instrument panel, bringing it into view of the pilot observer camera. MR-4, known as Liberty Bell 7, has been rescheduled for Friday, July 21. (NASA Photo

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- PROJECT MERCURY'S SECOND suborbital astronaut training flight will be attempted during the week of July 16 with McDonnell Aircraft Corporation's production spacecraft number 11, which has been named 'Liberty Bell 7.' The number seven stresses the team effort of the seven Mercury pilots necessary for conducting Mercury flights. Mission pilot for the MR-4 launch will be astronaut Virgil I. 'Gus' Grissom. His spacecraft is seen here undergoing systems checks in the National Aeronautics and Space Administration's Mercury Hangar at Cape Canaveral, Florida, weeks before the planned launch

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- A Project Mercury spacecraft carrying astronaut Virgil I. 'Gus' Grissom on the nation's second manned space flight landed in the Atlantic Ocean about 305 statute miles from here and about 145 statute miles east northeast of the Grand Bahama Island at about 7:36 a.m. EST today. The craft reached an altitude of about 118 statute miles and a speed of approximately 5,310 miles an hour. The suborbital flight of the Mercury-Redstone 4 required about 16 minutes. Preliminary data indicated the pilot performed satisfactorily during the flight. The spacecraft was known as Liberty Bell 7. (NASA Photo)

S61-01250 (20 Jan. 1961) --- Photo of the Mercury astronauts standing beside a Convair 106-B aircraft. They are, left to right, M. Scott Carpenter, L. Gordon Cooper Jr., John H. Glenn Jr., Virgil I. Grissom, Walter M. Schirra Jr., Alan B. Shepard Jr. and Donald K. Slayton. EDITOR'S NOTE: Astronaut Gus Grissom died in the Apollo 1 -- Apollo/Saturn (AS-204) -- fire at Cape Kennedy, Florida on Jan. 27, 1967. Astronaut Deke Slayton died from complications of a brain tumor, in League City, Texas on June 13, 1993. Astronaut Shepard died after a lengthy illness in Monterey, California, on July 21, 1998. As of Jan. 1, 1977 none of the seven astronauts remained with the NASA Space Program. However, in October 1998, United States Senator Glenn (Democrat-Ohio) flew as payload specialist on the STS-95 mission. Photo credit: NASA

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)

Press release information, September 13, 1968: "FIRST ASTRONAUT TEAM: Project Mercury Astronauts, whose selection was announced on April 9, 1959, only six months after the National Aeronautics and Space Administration was formally established on Oct. 1, 1958, Included: Front row, left to right, Walter M. Schirra, Jr., Donald K. Slayton, John H. Glenn, Jr., and M. Scott Carpenter; back row, Alan B. Shepard, Jr., Virgil I. "Gus" Grissom and L. Gordon Cooper. (1962), *89-361 Also in B&W. This copy of original negative was edited without shadows in the background. Photo taken at NASA Langley Research Center by Life Magazine photographer and negative copied for other centers.