The Space Race: Project Mercury

Use this activity when studying the Cold War and the Space Race. For grades 8-12. Approximate time needed is 45 minutes.

Begin a discussion with students about the Cold War, making sure to consider the following questions:

• What events led to the heightened tensions between the United States and the U.S.S.R. during the Cold War?
• How did space exploration become such a key component of the Cold War?

Direct students to begin the activity and read the memorandum. Then, working with a partner, they will discuss how the memo fits into the larger context of the Cold War. After examining the memo, students can answer the following questions:

• What was the intent of the Mercury 7 astronauts who wrote this document?
• Do you believe they really intended to extend the olive branch to the Russians for the sake of science?
• Do you think this was written for public relations possibilities?
• Do you think all of the astronauts agreed with the content of this memorandum?
• Why do you think Walter “Wally” Schirra and Donald “Deke” Slayton’s names are crossed out?
• How does this relate to the greater context of the Cold War?

Please note that no record has been found in the National Archives of how the Mercury Director responded to the astronauts’ memorandum, and no record of why Schirra and Slayton chose to decline signing the letter.

After the discussion, direct students to create an essay or imaginary letter explaining why they would either sign or decline signing the document addressed to the Mercury Program director.

If students wonder whether the Mercury 7 astronauts ever met with the Russian cosmonauts, you can share that:

Although this memorandum is proof that most of the Mercury 7 astronauts were interested in meeting with the Russian cosmonauts, it was discouraged by both the White House and NASA. However, several meetings between American astronauts and Soviet cosmonauts were arranged mainly for propaganda purposes during the 1960s. In 1975, the joint Apollo-Soyuz Test Project officially ended the Space Race and ushered in the era of joint partnerships for space exploration between the two countries.