Scott Carpenter

Malcolm Scott Carpenter (born May 1, 1925) was one of the original seven astronauts selected in 1959 for Project Mercury. Created by the newly formed National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), Project Mercury was the United States' answer to the Soviet Union's space program. This rivalry eventually became the space race ? a contest between the two superpowers to land the first men on the moon and return them safely to earth.

Books

• For Spacious Skies: The Uncommon Journey of a Mercury Astronaut," ISBN 0151004676 or the revised paperback edition ISBN 0451211057 - Carpenter's biography, co-written with his daughter; describes his childhood, his experiences as a naval aviator, a Mercury astronaut, including an account of what went wrong, and right, on the flight of Aurora 7.