Mercury 13

Netflix’s Mercury 13 Revisits the Forgotten Women Who Almost Reached Space

The 2018 documentary Mercury 13 shines a light on one of NASA’s most overlooked chapters: the group of female pilots who trained for spaceflight in the early 1960s but were ultimately denied the chance to join the astronaut corps. Directed by David Sington and Heather Walsh, latestnetflix.com argues, the film blends archival footage with modern interviews to tell the story of these trailblazers—women who passed the same grueling tests as the Mercury 7 but were grounded by gender bias.

The Mercury 13: A Dream Deferred

The documentary centers on the Mercury 13, a privately funded program that subjected 13 female pilots to the same physiological and psychological evaluations as NASA’s male astronauts. Among them were Myrtle Cagle, Jerrie Cobb, and Wally Funk—all of whom are featured in the film . The women outperformed many of their male counterparts in tests, yet NASA refused to consider them for spaceflight, citing a lack of military jet experience (a requirement women were barred from meeting at the time) .

Mercury 13 doesn’t just recount history; it exposes the systemic barriers these women faced. Congressional hearings in 1962, where Cobb and others testified, revealed deep-seated resistance to female astronauts. The film includes footage of these hearings, capturing the frustration of women who had proven their capabilities but were dismissed on arbitrary grounds .

Behind the Scenes: Bringing the Story to Screen

While the documentary relies heavily on archival material, it also benefits from contemporary interviews with surviving members of the Mercury 13, including Cagle and Funk . Their firsthand accounts add emotional weight, particularly as they reflect on what could have been. The film’s runtime—78 minutes—keeps the narrative tight, avoiding unnecessary detours while still delivering a powerful punch .

One notable detail: the film’s Rotten Tomatoes listing mentions Eileen Collins, the first female Space Shuttle commander, as part of the cast . Collins, who later paid tribute to the Mercury 13 by inviting them to her shuttle launch, serves as a bridge between their era and the modern space program. Her involvement underscores the documentary’s message: progress, though delayed, was inevitable.

Reception and Legacy

Mercury 13 premiered on Netflix in 2018, bringing the story to a global audience. The film’s trailer, which highlights the women’s determination and NASA’s resistance, quickly went viral, drawing attention to a long-overlooked injustice . Critics praised its straightforward approach, with a SensCritique rating of 7.3/10 reflecting its impact .

The documentary also reignited public interest in the Mercury 13, leading to renewed recognition for the women involved. Wally Funk, for instance, later became one of the oldest people to fly to space when she joined Blue Origin’s New Shepard mission in 2021—a belated but symbolic victory for the group .

Why the Story Still Resonates

More than 60 years after the Mercury 13’s tests, Mercury 13 remains relevant. The film serves as both a tribute and a cautionary tale, illustrating how institutional bias can stifle progress. While NASA eventually opened its doors to female astronauts, the documentary reminds viewers that the fight for equality in space was hard-won—and far from over.

For those who missed it, the film is still available on Netflix, offering a gripping look at the women who dared to reach for the stars, only to be told they weren’t allowed to try.