The Mercury Seven have been everywhere for the past year — magazine covers, television appearances, press conferences in Washington and Houston. I’ve been watching them carefully, trying to understand who these men actually are beneath the official press materials.

The seven men NASA introduced in April 1959 are not a homogeneous group, whatever the press releases might suggest. Watching the press conferences and reading the various profile articles, I’ve been getting a sense of distinct personalities.

Alan Shepard is the most competitive. When asked about who will fly first, he is the only one who clearly believes he will be first and isn’t particularly shy about it. He has the bearing of a man who has always been first in the room and is accustomed to it.

John Glenn is the most publicly polished. Every answer in a press conference is careful and patriotic and well-constructed. He was a fighter pilot and test pilot who is also, it seems, good at being watched. He handles the celebrity of the astronaut role with practiced ease.

Gus Grissom says the fewest words. He answers questions precisely and then stops. No oratory, no extra material. When a reporter asks what he finds most interesting about the Mercury program, he says, “Flying the spacecraft.” Period.

Wally Schirra is the one who makes people laugh. He has a genuine wit, and he uses it strategically — to defuse pressure, to keep the room comfortable, and probably to avoid giving away what he’s actually thinking.

Gordon Cooper is the youngest and most laconic. He came from Oklahoma and doesn’t appear to feel the need to perform for the press.

Scott Carpenter is thoughtful and earnest. Of all of them, he seems the most genuinely interested in the scientific aspects of the program.

Deke Slayton is the one I worry about. He seems to be fighting something private. He’s quieter even than Grissom.

Seven men. They’re going to be in this notebook for a long time.