As America’s astronauts were launched on death-defying missions, Life Magazine documented the astronauts’ families, capturing the behind-the-scenes lives of their young wives. Overnight, these women were transformed from military spouses into American royalty. As their celebrity rose and tragedy began to touch their lives, they rallied together.

• JoAnna García Swisher
• Yvonne Strahovski
• Dominique McElligott
• Odette Annable
• Erin Cummings
• Azure Parsons
• Zoe Boyle
• Desmond Harrington