Thirteen American women pilots passed the same astronaut tests as their male counterparts in 1960 but were ultimately excluded from the Mercury program.
“Meet the women who dared to reach for the stars.”
Synopsis
Thirteen American women pilots passed the same astronaut tests as their male counterparts in 1960 but were ultimately excluded from the Mercury program.
Synopsis
Wally Funk, Myrtle Cagle, and Jerrie Cobb were among thirteen American women pilots who took the same tests as NASA's Mercury 7 astronauts in 1960. Each of them passed the rigorous evaluations designed for spaceflight. Despite their qualifications, NASA selected only male candidates for the Mercury program. Mercury 13 documents the experiences of these women and the institutional barriers that prevented them from becoming astronauts, reflecting gender discrimination in the aerospace industry during the early 1960s.
Deep Dive
Why Watch
- Meet Wally Funk, a pioneering female pilot.
- See how sexism affected NASA's astronaut selection.
- Find out about the Mercury 13's qualifications.
Did You Know
- The film has a 100% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes based on 24 reviews.
- Mercury 13 features three notable women: Wally Funk, Myrtle Cagle, and Jerrie Cobb.
- The documentary runs for 79 minutes and was released in 2018.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What year did the Mercury 13 take their tests?
The Mercury 13 took their tests in 1960.
What is the approval rating of Mercury 13 on Rotten Tomatoes?
Mercury 13 has an approval rating of 100% based on 24 reviews on Rotten Tomatoes.
Who directed the documentary Mercury 13?
Mercury 13 was directed by David Sington.
What are people saying?
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