Survival training

NASA put the Mercury astronauts through a wide variety of tests, including survival training in several different environments. This included desert survival, which NASA put the astronauts through at Stead Air Force Base in Nevada. From left to right, the astronauts--seen in Arab-looking garb--are Gordo Cooper, Scott Carpenter, John Glenn, Alan B. Shepard, Gus Grissom, Wally Schirra, and Deke Slayton. Portions of their outfits were made from parachute material.