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.

Genres

Cast

JoAnna Garcia Swisher

Betty Grissom

Yvonne Strahovski

Rene Carpenter

Dominique McElligott

Louise Shepard

Odette Annable

Trudy Cooper

Erin Cummings

Marge Slayton

Azure Parsons

Annie Glenn

Zoe Boyle

Jo Schirra

Desmond Harrington

Alan Shepard

Bret Harrison

Gordo Cooper

Wilson Bethel

Scott Carpenter

Kenneth Mitchell

Deke Slayton

Joel Johnstone

Gus Grissom