Discover the untold story of the United States military’s contribution to the Apollo program, which led to the historic Moon landing in 1969.
On July 20, 1969, Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin, two astronauts of the Apollo 11 mission, became the first men to set foot on the Moon, marking a historic achievement in human history. However, the success of the Moon missions was not just the result of the ingenuity of NASA scientists and astronauts. Still, it also owed much to the contributions made by the United States military.
You might ask, what was the connection between the military and Apollo program? The answer lies in the Cold War Space Race, which the United States was determined to win after the Soviet Union successfully launched the first man into space. The military played a significant role in developing the foundation that made the Moon missions possible.
Rocket Research: A Foundation for Moon Missions
The U.S. Army launched the WAC Corporal in 1946, which became the first rocket designed to reach the edge of space, 69 miles above Earth.
This early success was followed by rocket research at the U.S. Army’s Redstone Arsenal in Huntsville, Alabama, and the Navy’s development of the Viking rocket, which reached an altitude of 158 miles in 1954.
In 1958, both the Army and Navy launched several satellites into space. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers designed and created NASA facilities at the John F. Kennedy Space Center in Florida in 1961, where the Apollo 11 mission was launched.
Project Mercury: The First American Human Spaceflight Program
The U.S. Air Force continued to work on reliable propulsion, booster systems, rockets, and manned-orbital gliders that would be used for human-crewed space missions following the creation of NASA on July 29, 1958.
The Air Force also provided rocket launch facilities and vehicles for NASA’s first, second, and third human crewed programs, respectively, at the Atlantic Missile Range, Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida, which was later renamed to Cape Kennedy Air Force Station in 1963.
The Mercury Seven: Astronauts Selected from the Military
The Mercury Seven, the original group of astronauts selected for Project Mercury, were all military pilots from the Air Force, Marine Corps, and Navy. They were chosen for their exceptional piloting skills, physical health, and psychological versatility, making them ideal candidates for the rigorous procedures and missions involved in the space program.
NASA’s First Astronauts All Served in the U.S. Military
Back Row – Alan Shepard, Gus Grissom, Gordon Cooper
Front Row – Wally Shirra, Deke Slayton, John Glenn, Scott Carpenter.
Credit: NASA.
President Eisenhower chose to select candidates from the military, as they were highly trained, had logged innumerable hours of flying time, and was somewhat used to rigorous procedures and missions.
The Original Seven
The Original Seven was a group of elite military pilots who were selected for Project Mercury. This group included Capt. Gordon Cooper of the Air Force, Lt. Scott Carpenter of the Navy, Col. John Glenn of the Marine Corps, Lt. Cmdr. Walter “Wally” Schirra of the Navy, Lt. Cmdr. Alan Shepard of the Navy, Capt. Virgil “Gus” Grissom of the Air Force and Lt. Cmdr. Donald “Deke” Slayton of the Air Force.
The Original Seven was a group of seven astronauts selected by NASA to participate in Project Mercury, the first human spaceflight program in the United States. They were chosen for their exceptional piloting skills, physical health, and psychological versatility, making them ideal candidates for the rigorous procedures and missions involved in the space program.
Meet the Original Seven: United States Military Pilots Who Pioneered Space Exploration
Capt. Gordon Cooper was a United States Air Force officer and one of the seven astronauts in the Mercury program.
Lt. Scott Carpenter was a United States Navy officer who piloted the Aurora 7 spacecraft in the second manned orbital flight.
Col. John Glenn was a United States Marine Corps pilot and the first American to orbit Earth, piloting the Friendship 7 spacecraft on February 20, 1962.
Lt. Cmdr. Walter “Wally” Schirra was a United States Navy officer who flew on the Mercury-Atlas 8 and Apollo 7 missions.
Lt. Cmdr. Alan Shepard was a United States Navy officer and the first American in space, piloting the Freedom 7 spacecraft on May 5, 1961.
Capt. Virgil “Gus” Grissom was a United States Air Force officer who flew on the Mercury-Redstone 4 and Gemini 3 missions.
Lt. Cmdr. Donald “Deke” Slayton was a United States Air Force officer and one of the original Mercury Seven astronauts, but he was grounded due to a medical condition and did not fly in space until the Apollo-Soyuz Test Project in 1975.
Together, the Original Seven represented the best and brightest pilots in the United States military, and their accomplishments paved the way for future generations of space explorers. Their bravery, dedication, and pioneering spirit inspired the nation and the world, and their legacy continues to inspire and motivate people to this day.
As mentioned previously, the involvement of military personnel played a crucial role in the success of the Apollo program. This was particularly evident in the selection of the first group of American astronauts, known as the “Original Seven.” These individuals were chosen for their exceptional piloting skills, physical health, and psychological versatility, making them ideal candidates for the rigorous procedures and missions involved in the space program.
The military background of Original Seven astronauts helped pave the way for space exploration
Among the Original Seven, John Glenn stood out as the first American to orbit the Earth. Glenn was a Marine Corps aviator who flew numerous combat missions during World War II and the Korean War. His extensive flight experience and ability to handle high-stress situations made him an ideal candidate for the Mercury program.
Another member of the Original Seven, Alan Shepard, was the first American in space. Shepard was a Navy pilot who had flown combat missions in World War II and the Korean War. His experience and skills as a test pilot made him an excellent choice for the Mercury program.
The military backgrounds of these early astronauts were particularly important because they were accustomed to working in high-stress, high-risk situations. Their experience in combat and as test pilots meant that they were well-trained to deal with the unique challenges of spaceflight. The Original Seven paved the way for future generations of astronauts and demonstrated the important role that military personnel can play in space exploration.
Finally, of the three Apollo 11 astronauts, Neil Armstrong served in the Navy, and Buzz Aldrin and Michael Collins were both Air Force pilots. The overwhelming number of NASA’s astronauts were service members leading up to the Apollo 11 mission. There were not any U.S. Army astronauts until 1984.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the military played a crucial role in laying the foundation for the Moon missions and supporting NASA’s space programs. From rocket research to providing launch facilities and vehicles, the military made significant contributions to the space program’s success. The collaboration between NASA and the military, with their shared dedication to innovation and excellence, demonstrates what can be achieved when diverse groups work together towards a common goal.
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