Gus Grissom was an American astronaut and one of the original seven astronauts selected for the Mercury program. Born on April 3, 1926, in Indiana, he became the second American to fly in space on the Liberty Bell 7 mission in 1961. Grissom was known for his calm demeanor and technical skills, contributing significantly to the early days of human spaceflight. Tragically, Grissom lost his life in a fire during a pre-launch test for the Apollo 1 mission on January 27, 1967. His legacy continues to inspire future generations of astronauts and space enthusiasts, highlighting the risks and achievements of space exploration.