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Project Mercury launched the first Americans into space. Mercury's goal was to orbit a manned spacecraft around the Earth, investigate a human's ability to survive and function in space, and safely return both pilot and craft. The nickel alloy and titanium capsule is small; as astronaut John Glenn said, "You don't get into it. You put it on." Yet its operating systems were so sophisticated that the capsule held seven miles of electrical wire.
The men selected to pilot the Mercury spacecraft were presented to the public on April 9, 1959. Alan Shepard, Jr. undertook the first American flight into space, a 15 minute sub-orbital mission, on May 5, 1961. John Glenn, Jr. became the first American to orbit the Earth (three times) on February 20, 1962. Four more orbital Mercury flights followed, culminating in Gordon Cooper's 34 hour mission on May 15-16, 1963.
The Museum's reproduction was commissioned and purchased from Guard-Lee, Inc. of Apopka, Florida in 1986. It is displayed as if in orbit, with its retro-rocket pack attached to the heatshield. After firing, the retro-rockets would usually be jettisoned before re-entry into Earth's atmosphere.
Project Mercury launched the first Americans into space. Mercury's goal was to orbit a manned spacecraft around the Earth, investigate a human's ability to survive and function in space, and safely return both pilot and craft. The nickel alloy and titanium capsule is small; as astronaut John Glenn said, "You don't get into it. You put it on." Yet its operating systems were so sophisticated that the capsule held seven miles of electrical wire.
The men selected to pilot the Mercury spacecraft were presented to the public on April 9, 1959. Alan Shepard, Jr. undertook the first American flight into space, a 15 minute sub-orbital mission, on May 5, 1961. John Glenn, Jr. became the first American to orbit the Earth (three times) on February 20, 1962. Four more orbital Mercury flights followed, culminating in Gordon Cooper's 34 hour mission on May 15-16, 1963.
The Museum's reproduction was commissioned and purchased from Guard-Lee, Inc. of Apopka, Florida in 1986. It is displayed as if in orbit, with its retro-rocket pack attached to the heatshield. After firing, the retro-rockets would usually be jettisoned before re-entry into Earth's atmosphere.
Now located in: APOLLO
