Twenty years ago, America's original Mercury astronauts reunited to encourage the next generation of space explorers. Their efforts led to establishing the Mercury 7 Foundation, which later was renamed the Astronaut Scholarship Foundation (ASF) to include their fellow Gemini, Apollo and Space Shuttle peers. To date, the Foundation has awarded nearly $2 million to exceptional college students pursuing degrees in science and engineering.
To celebrate their 20th anniversary and to continue to raise scholarships, the ASF has introduced a special, limited edition print signed by four of its founders: John Glenn, Scott Carpenter, Walter "Wally" Schirra and the late Gordon "Gordo" Cooper. (This project was the last ASF activity that Cooper participated in prior to his unfortunate passing earlier this year. His family approved of the prints' sale as planned, as it continues the efforts that Cooper worked to achieve.)
The 8 by 10-inch photographic print features a visual timeline of an orbital Mercury mission, with images chosen from each of the four astronauts' flights. Schirra is pictured boarding his spacecraft; Glenn's first American orbital mission is represented by his Atlas launch; Carpenter is seen inside the Mercury capsule and Cooper is represented by an image of his splashdown recovery. Each astronaut has signed by his corner of the montage.
Available for $195 each, the 20th Anniversary Astronaut Scholarship Foundation signed and numbered print is accompanied by a certificate of authenticity certified by ASF Executive Director Linn LeBlanc. Limited to only 300, supplies are limited so order today!
posted 11-11-2004 12:23 PM
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