In Search of History

Mercury 13: The Secret Astronauts

The Mercury Seven, the first astronauts chosen to fly in space and the tests they endured, are well known to history and the American public. But what is not as well-known are the Mercury Thirteen, thirteen women who underwent the same grueling tests as their male counterparts. Dr. Loveless, a physician for NASA, tested the women to see if females react the same as males to the stress of space travel. Dr. Loveless’ findings concluded that the women faired as well as the men. Despite these findings and the protests of the women, NASA did not allow women astronauts until the 1980s. NASA’s exclusion of women mirrored the problems women have faced since flight began in their quest to spread their wings and slip the bonds of earth. Mercury 13: Secret Astronauts would be useful for classes on American History, Women’s History, American Culture, Science and Technology and Civics. It is appropriate for middle school and high school.

OBJECTIVES: Students will learn about the contributions of women in the aeronautics industry and in aviation history. They will examine the obstacles women faced in their quest to become pilots and astronauts, and they will explore how gender determined access or denial to flight programs, NASA, the military and aviation in general.

NATIONAL HISTORY STANDARDS: Mercury 13: Secret Astronauts fulfills the following National Standards for History for grades 5-12: chronological thinking, historical comprehension, historical analysis and interpretations, and historical research capabilities for United States History eras 7, 8, 9, and 10.

• Anomaly
• Arduous
• Assumption
• Camaraderie
• Exemplary
• Inundate
• Notoriety
• Preposterous
• Prestigious
• Sabotage
• Status quo
• Substantiate
• Trivialize
• Vertigo

Discussion Questions

1. Discuss how women’s history has changed or added to our historical knowledge and the ways in which we perceive our past.

2. The first American woman in space, Sally Ride, served aboard the space shuttle Challenger in 1983. Why did it take women so long to become astronauts?

3. How do terms such as “flying flappers” and “petticoat pilots” trivialize the achievements of the first women pilots?

4. The Women’s Airforce Service Pilots (WASPS) served during World War II. What was their contribution to the war effort?

5. Thirty-eight WASPS lost their lives in accidents. Many years later, officials learned that their planes had been sabotaged, but no one knows by whom. Why would anyone sabotage these planes? What does this say about the social attitudes towards women of that era?

6. Why were the WASPS disbanded at the end of World War II?

7. Jackie Cochran, one of the WASP leaders and an ace pilot, enjoyed a long career in aviation. What were some of the accomplishments of this unusual woman?

8. How did Cold War anxieties accelerate the space race?

9. NASA physician, Dr. Loveless, swore flyer Jerrie Cobb to secrecy about the Mercury tests. Why?

10. Jerrie Cobb was an able flyer and perfectly fit to go into space. Why didn’t she get the chance?

11. Why did Jackie Cochran testify against special training for the Mercury 13 women?

12. Discuss how the women of Mercury 13 were ahead of their time.

13. Why are women able to become astronauts today?

Extended Activities

1. 1. Create a timeline illustrating the highlights of women in aviation.

2. 2. Create a commemoration or memorial for the WASPS.

3. 3. Go to the official WASP web site and e-mail a real WASP (http://www.wasp-wwii.org/wasp/wasp_contacts.htm).

Related Videos

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Primary Sources

• AAF Regulation NO. 40-9

  HEADQUARTERS, ARMY AIR FORCES

  WASHINGTON, 14 FEBRUARY 1944

  PERSONNEL, CIVILIAN

  Wearing the WASP Uniform

Air Dates

• March 21, 2005