[Project Mercury] PIONEERING ZERO-GRAVITY TRAINING: Mercury astronauts floating in simulated wei...

[Project Mercury] PIONEERING ZERO-GRAVITY TRAINING: Mercury astronauts floating in simulated weightlessness for the man-in-space program NASA, 1959 Printed 1959. Vintage gelatin silver print on fibre-based paper [NASA image B-59-349]. With NASA caption on the reverse, numbered 'NASA B-59-349' in black in the lower margin (issued by NASA Headquarters, Washington, D.C.). 20.3 x 25.4 cm. (8 x 10 in.) Historical context This remarkable photograph from 1959 captures two Mercury astronauts floating inside a specially modified aircraft, experiencing simulated weightlessness as part of NASA's pioneering zero-gravity training for the Man-in-Space program. Dressed in their early silver pressure suits, the astronauts practice maneuvering and adapting to the sensation of free-fall—an essential skill for their upcoming missions in space. This image is a testament to the early days of human spaceflight, where every step—no matter how small—was a leap into the unknown. Footnotes: This training took place aboard a C-131 'Vomit Comet' aircraft, which executed steep parabolic flight paths to briefly create a zero-G environment for approximately 20-30 seconds at a time. These sessions allowed astronauts to develop spatial awareness, practice movement techniques, and gain confidence in their ability to function in microgravity before their historic Mercury spaceflights. Project Mercury was America's first human spaceflight program, and this photograph embodies its bold, experimental spirit. For further information on this lot please visit Bonhams.com For further information about this lot please visit the lot listing