lightthiscandle:

Astronauts undergo life support training, 1968.

Wow. 80% of them are making some version of a derp face.

blech:

Behind The Scenes at the National Air and Space Museum: A Blending of Photography and X-Ray:

An x-ray of Alan Shepard’s Apollo 14 spacesuit allows curators and conservators to “see” inside space clothing—a task that had previously been done by peering through the neck or the wrist with a flashlight.

See also. (Together.) Photograph: Mark and Roland Cunningham.

lightthiscandle:

murmurandshout:

Astronaut Alan Shepard by Richard Avedon for Harper’s Bazaar, 1961

(via atomic-oxygen)

…

Whoa.

…

And also, I had no idea that Harper’s Bazaar was allowed to have private access to the astronauts in 1961, let alone hold their own special photo shoot. I thought the LIFE contract would have prohibited that.

We clearly need to find this issue. For Important Research.

Avedon shot Shepard, Glenn and Grissom for a spread called “Richard Avedon on Heros.” A three shot here. There were two connections. 1. Avedon was probably the best known and respected photographer at that time. Being shot by him was an honor. 2. In 1959 Avedon did an editorial spread in Cape Canaveral of women’s fashion. He had made connections within the program and, given his popular stature, was probably able to get access. The photos were taken at Langley and only in front of that white background. No personal access was given. He did, however, bring a model along to entertain the astronauts while they weren’t being photographed.

Breakfast before Gemini 3. Deke and Al seem to have taken most of the food.