
As America’s astronauts were launched on death-defying missions, Life Magazine documented the astronauts’ families, capturing the behind-the-scenes lives of their young wives. Overnight, these women were transformed from military spouses into American royalty. As their celebrity rose and tragedy began to touch their lives, they rallied together.

as Betty Grissom

as Rene Carpenter

as Louise Shepard

as Trudy Cooper

as Marge Slayton

as Annie Glenn

as Jo Schirra

as Alan Shepard

as Gordo Cooper

as Scott Carpenter

as Deke Slayton

as Gus Grissom

as John Glenn

as Wally Schirra