'Mercury Seven' Astronauts Series Teased by NatGeo & Disney+ at Comic-Con

We Are The Mighty | By Shannon Corbeil

Published July 31, 2020

Disney+ launched a Comic-Con@Home 2020 panel for their new scripted series "The Right Stuff," which will explore the early days of the U.S. space program through the "Mercury Seven" — the military pilots who became the first NASA astronauts during the space race of the Cold War.

"Competing to be the first in space, these ordinary men achieve the extraordinary, inspiring America to turn toward a new horizon of ambition and hope," boasted Comic-Con International.

The first original scripted series from National Geographic for Disney+ promises to take a "clear-eyed look" at the newly-formed NASA. Set to release in late 2020, the series debuted a first look in a panel moderated by Former NASA Astronaut Dr. Mae Jemison.

Yes, that Dr. Mae Jemison.

Jemison was not only the first African American woman selected for the NASA astronaut program — she was the first woman of color in the world to go into space. Watch the full panel right here:

The panel revealed the first official clip of the series, introducing Alan Shepard to the uninitiated. Shepard, of course, went on to become the first American to travel to space and he remains on the short list of men who have walked on the moon.

"You gentlemen are accustomed to testing dangerous, unproven aircraft and yet somehow you've made it this far in one piece. Most of you have families. You have careers. You have lives. That could all come to an abrupt halt if you sign on to this endeavor. We want to take thirty-two of you to Lovelace Clinic for medical evaluations, but only seven of you will have what it takes. And those seven will be the Mercury Astronauts," intone the recruiters in the clip.

Warning of the Russian advances, the clip sets the stage for America's acceleration in space.

"Our very way of life is at stake."

Watch the exclusive clip:

The original seven astronauts who flew for Project Mercury were Scott Carpenter, Gordon Cooper, John Glenn, Gus Grissom, Wally Schirra, Deke Slayton, and of course, Alan Shepard. Also known as the Original Seven and Astronaut Group 1, they were among America's finest military pilots. Each of the trailblazers is now deceased, but their legacy lives on.