Astronaut Gordon Cooper (above) was launched into space on May 15,
1963 aboard the Mercury-Atlas  (Faith 7) spacecraft. After 22 Earth orbits,
34 hours, 19 minutes and 49 seconds, traveling 546,167 miles, Cooper
logged more time in space than all five previous Mercury astronaut’s
combined. His return to Earth brought Project Mercury to a close.

Gordon Cooper preparing  to enter the Faith 7 capsule for his mission.

The Mercury Atlas 9 rocket leaving the launch pad.