![]() |
Photo: Alan Shepard, the backup pilot for the MA-9 mission, served as CAPCOM for Gordon Cooper's flight at the Mercury Control Center. |
In the Mercury missions, the capsule communicator (CAPCOM) was the main person to communicate with the pilot. Scott Carpenter served as CAPCOM in Kauai, Hawaii, for Gordon Cooper's flight. |
![]() |
Photo: Five of the second generation astronauts listened to Gordon Cooper's flight. |
![]() |
USS Kearsarge recovery ship Captain's cover with ship cachet in magenta and Captains's corner card. Machine cancelled and signed by Gordon Cooper and commanding officer, E. P. Rankin |
USS Kearsarge recovery ship Captain's cover with ship cachet in black and Captains's corner card. Hand cancelled and signed by commanding officer, E. P. Rankin. The 4¢ stamp is a "Dag Hammarskjöld invert" stamp. |
![]() |
USS Kearsarge recovery ship cover with ship cachet in magenta. Hand cancelled and signed by Gordon Cooper. |
USS Kearsarge recovery ship cover with ship cachet in magenta. An unusual cover with dual USS Kearsarge machine and hand cancels. |
![]() |
Rare USS Kearsarge postmark variations - month, day, year (second cover with an inverted year) and time slug. |
A rare MA-9 USS Kearsarge Beck CREW Cover, only 25 covers without the "B" number printed exist. Signed by the Commanding Officer, E. P. Rankin. |
Cover with "Salute to U.S. Pacific Fleet Recovery Force" cachet (Carlson). USS Kearsarge machine cancelled, signed by the Commanding Officer, E. P. Rankin. |