Deke Slayton of Sparta, Wisconsin was one of the original 7 astronauts in this "planetary" group
He and Sparta area native Donald "Deke" Slayton, one of the original seven 
Mercury ... the first U.S. planetary science mission launched since 1978, and the 
first ... 14, 1952 in Viroqua, Wis. .... River Valley Media Group.