The Astronauts I.D. Cards Pocket Size series was released in 1963 by the McGraw-Hill Book Co. The 40-card collection features official NASA photographs of Project Mercury and Project Gemini astronauts. Each flashcard measures 2.25 x 4.5 inches. The cards are not numbered.

"These 40 I.D. Cards tell the story of, the astronauts, rockets, and satellites in this era of exploration. Great events and accomplishments of this rapidly changing Space Age are carefully and clearly explained. Cards include such information as the personal history of the astronauts, a description of fuels and rockets, space projects and plans, communications, explorations, tracking. satellites, and recoveries."

A similar flashcard series, Teach-Me Astronauts Space Cards, was released in 1963 by Gelles-Widmer Co. Both sets include the earliest known appearance of Neil Armstrong in a collectible card series. NASA Astronaut Group 2, known as "The New Nine," appear in a Project Gemini press photograph from September 17, 1962.