Exploring the Unknown: Selected Documents in ... - The Black Vault

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First Steps into Space: Projects Mercury and Gemini
1959. Why were there no Army or civilian pilots selected? NASA was exceptionally conscious
of the interservice rivalries extant in the DOD and sought to ensure that Army personnel
received consideration, even going so far as to undertake a special screening of some candidates,
but in the end found none that met NASA’s selection criteria. In accordance with
President Eisenhower’s December 1958 decision to limit the pool of candidates to military test
pilots, civilians were not systematically considered in this first round of astronaut selection,
although a few applications were screened.
MEMORANDUM for Administrator
Subject: Pilot Selection for Project Mercury
Washington, D.C.
April 23, 1959
1. The criteria used for the pilot selection were established at a meeting
held at NASA Headquarters on January 5, 1959. This meeting was attended by
Dr. Lovelace, General Flickinger, Mr. Gilruth, and others. Capt. Augerson was
present and represented the Army. At the time, Capt. Augerson appeared to be in
full agreement with the selection criteria, although it was even then apparent that
these criteria might exclude Army participation.
2. At the time of our first briefing of the astronauts on February 9, 1959, Gen.
Flickinger informed Dr. Silverstein that no Army men had met all of our selection
criteria. He suggested that we should approach the Army for names of men
who came close to qualifying. Dr. Silverstein agreed and asked Gen. Flickinger to
contact the Army. Gen. Flickinger, in turn, asked Capt. Augerson to supply NASA
with names of candidates that he thought would qualify.
3. Several days later, Capt. Augerson appeared with the files of six Army men.
He turned these over to Mr. Donlan and the group participating in the selection
proceedings. After it was ascertained that none of these men met our selec tion
criteria, and after another discussion with Dr. Silverstein, it was decided not to
consider these Army men as candidates for Project Mercury. Capt. Augerson was
informed of this decision.
4. On the subject of possible civilian participation, approximately ten letters
were received by me. Several letters were obviously from cranks, while others
were sincere. None of the civilians met our selection criteria. All letters received
were answered. Other letters may have been received in other parts of the
organization.
5. The heads of the flight activities at all. NASA Centers and Stations were
contacted by either Mr. Gilruth or by myself. They, in turn, sought volunteers
for Project Mercury among their pilots. None of the NASA pilots volunteered
although several expressed interest in joining the Project at a later date.