Mercury Testing

A  Brief History

Original Vintage NASA Photographs

New Photo Added   16 July 2008

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1956

3 May 1956 - Convair announced as the prime contractor for the Atlas:  The Air Force disclosed that a $41 million guided missile production facility would be built at Sorrento, California, for the Atlas launch vehicle. Convair was announced as the prime contractor.

1957

8 November 1957 - Von Braun ordered to launch satellite:  Secretary of Defence Neil McElroy directed the Army to proceed with the launching of the Explorer earth satellites. This order, in effect, resumed the Orbiter project that had been eliminated from the IGY satellite planning program on September 9, 1955. Von Braun was to modify two Jupiter-C missiles (modified Redstones) and attempt to place an artificial earth satellite in orbit by March 58.

1958

15 January 1958 - Eleven proposals for Project 7969 initial manned spacecraft:  The Air Force received 11 unsolicited industry proposals for Project 7969, and technical evaluation was started. Observers from NACA participated.

29-31 January 1958 - Conference reviews concepts for manned orbital vehicles:  A conference was held at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, to review concepts for manned orbital vehicles. The NACA informally presented two concepts then under study at Langley Aeronautical Laboratory: the one proposed by Maxime A. Faget involved a ballistic, high-drag capsule with heat shield on which the pilot lies prone during re-entry, with re*entry being accomplished by reverse thrust at the apogee of the elliptical orbit involving a deceleration load of about 8g, and proceeding to impact by a parachute landing; the other Langley proposal called for the development of a triangular platform vehicle with a flat bottom having some lift during re-entry.

24 September 1958 - Basic plan for a manned satellite program:  A series of meetings were held in Washington, with Robert R. Gilruth serving as chairman to draft a manned satellite program and provide a basic plan for meeting the objectives of this program. Others attending included S. B. Batdorf, A. J. Eggers, Maxime A. Faget, George Low, Warren North, Walter C. Williams, and Robert C. Youngquist.

1 October 1958 - NASA Was Created: NASA was activated in accordance with the terms of Public Law 85-568, and the non-military space projects which had been conducted by the Advanced Research Projects Agency were transferred to the jurisdiction of the NASA. Concurrently, NACA, after a 43-year tenure, was inactivated, and its facilities and personnel became a part of NASA.

7 October 1958 - Project Mercury organized: NASA formally organized Project Mercury to: (1) place manned space capsule in orbital flight around the earth; (2) investigate man's reactions to and capabilities in this environment; and (3) recover capsule and pilot safely. A NASA Space Task Group organized at Langley Research Centre drew up specifications for the Mercury capsule, based on studies by the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics during the preceding 12 months, and on discussions with the Air Force which had been conducting related studies.

17 October 1958 - Negotiations for Mercury Atlas launch vehicles:   Langley Research Centre personnel visited the Air Force Ballistic Missile Division, Inglewood, California, to open negotiations for procuring Atlas launch vehicles for the manned satellite project.

24 November 1958 - Space Task Group orders first Mercury Atlas missile:  The Space Task Group placed an order for one Atlas launch vehicle with the Air Force Missile Division, Inglewood, California, as part of a preliminary research program leading to manned space flight. The National Aeronautics and Space Administration Headquarters requested that the Air Force construct and launch one Atlas C launch vehicle to check the aerodynamics of the spacecraft. It was the intention to launch this missile about May 1959 in a ballistic trajectory. This was to be the launch vehicle for the Big Joe re-entry test shot, but plans were later changed and an Atlas Model D launch vehicle was used instead.

8 December 1958 - Nine Atlas launch vehicles required for Project Mercury:  The Space Task Group indicated that nine Atlas launch vehicles were required in support of the Project Mercury manned and unmanned flights and these were ordered from the Air Force Ballistic Missile Division.

9 December 1958 - Mercury astronaut selection procedure:  An aeromedical selection team composed of Major Stanley C. White, Air Force; Lt. Robert B. Voas, Navy; and Captain William Augerson, Army, drafted a tentative astronaut selection procedure. According to the plan, representatives from the services and industry would nominate 150 men by January 21, 1959; 36 of these would be selected for further testing which would reduce the group to 12; and in a 9-month training period, a hard core of 6 men would remain. At the end of December 1958, this plan was rejected.

1959

2 January 1959 - Von Braun predicted manned circumlunar flight within ten years:  In a staff report of the House Select Committee on Astronautics and Space Exploration, Wernher von Braun of the Army Ballistic Missile Agency predicted manned circumlunar flight within the next eight to ten years and a manned lunar landing and return mission a few years thereafter. Administrator T. Keith Glennan, Deputy Administrator Hugh L. Dryden, Abe Silverstein, John P. Hagen, and Homer E. Newell, all of NASA, also foresaw manned circumlunar flight within the decade as well as instrumented probes soft-landed on the moon. Roy K. Knutson, Chairman of the Corporate Space Committee, NAA, projected a manned lunar landing expedition for the early 1970's with extensive unmanned instrumented soft lunar landings during the last half of the 1960's.

February 1959 - NASA/USAF responsibilities for the first two Mercury Atlas firings:  During a meeting between personnel of the Space Task Group and the Air Force Ballistic Missile Division, the responsibilities of the two organizations were outlined for the first two Atlas firings. Space Technology Laboratories, under Air Force Ballistic Missile Division direction, would select the design trajectories according to the specifications set forth by the Space Task Group. These specifications were to match a point in the trajectory at about 450,000 feet, corresponding to a normal re-entry condition for the manned spacecraft after firing of the retrorockets at an altitude of 120 nautical miles. Space Technology Laboratories would also provide impact dispersion data, data for range safety purposes, and the necessary re-programming of the guidance computers. The spacecraft for the suborbital Atlas flights would be manufactured under the direction of the Lewis Research Centre, based on Space Task Group designs. Space Task Group was developing the spacecraft instrumentation, with a contingent of personnel at the Lewis Research Centre. The attitude control system was being developed by Lewis.

12 - 13 February 1959 - Atlas launch vehicles in Project Mercury:  Discussions were held at Langley Field between the Space Task Group and the Air Force Ballistic Missile Division covering aspects of the use of Atlas launch vehicles in Project Mercury. Specifically discussed were technical details of the first Atlas test flight (Big Joe), the abort sensing capability for later flights, and overall program objectives.

2 April 1959 - Seven astronauts selected for Mercury project:  Seven astronauts were selected for Project Mercury after a series of the most rigorous physical and mental tests ever given to U.S. test pilots. Chosen from a field of 110 candidates, the finalists were all qualified test pilots: Capts. Leroy G. Cooper, Jr., Virgil I. Grissom, and Donald K. Slayton, (USAF); Lt. Malcolm S. Carpenter, Lt. Comdr. Alan B. Shepard, Jr., and Lt. Comdr. Watler M. Schirra, Jr. (USN); and Lt. Col. John H. Glenn (USMC).

27 April 1959 - Project Mercury astronauts reported for duty:

14 August 1959 - Negotiations for the fabrication of six additional Mercury spacecraft:  NASA Headquarters approved a Space Task Group proposal that negotiations be undertaken with McDonnell for the fabrication of six additional Mercury spacecraft.

15 August 1959 - Mercury astronauts began their initial centrifuge training:  The astronauts began their initial centrifuge training at the Aviation Medical Acceleration Laboratory. During the first part of the month Space Task Group personnel had installed and checked out Mercury spacecraft simulation equipment at the Aviation Medical Acceleration Laboratory in preparation for the astronaut centrifuge training program.

28 August 1959 - Additional Atlas launch vehicles in support of Project Mercury:  NASA Headquarters authorized the Space Task Group to enter into negotiations with the Air Force Ballistic Missile Division for the procurement of additional Atlas launch vehicles in support of Project Mercury. The authorization was to be incorporated into Contract No. HS-36.

At an STG meeting, it was decided to begin planning of advanced spacecraft systems. Three primary assignments were made:

1. The preliminary design of a multi-man (probably three-man) capsule for a circumlunar mission, with particular attention to the use of the capsule as a temporary space laboratory, lunar landing cabin, and deep-space probe;
2. Mission analysis studies to establish exit and re-entry corridors, weights, and propulsion requirements;
3. Test program planning to decide on the number and purpose of launches.

Participants in the meeting were Director Robert R. Gilruth, Paul E. Purser, Charles J. Donlan, Maxime A. Faget, Robert O. Piland, H. Kurt Strass, Charles W. Mathews, John D. Hodge, James A. Chamberlin, and Caldwell C. Johnson. A panel composed of Piland, Strass, Hodge, and Johnson was appointed to carry out the assignments. The ground rules given to the panel, which was responsible to the Director's office, were:

- Use personnel necessary to accomplish the work, but do not slow down Mercury;

- As many as 30 persons (10 percent of the STG staff) might possibly be used in the future.

£8.95

Mercury Capsule Mating To Big Joe

10 x  8  B/W Glossy NASA Photograph

NASA  No.  PL-59-18438

10 August 1959

NASA's  Mercury boilerplate spacecraft is seen being mated to the Mercury Atlas 628 10D at Cape Canaveral. This flight is to test and validate the Mercury concept of capsule re-entry and was named Big Joe, first booster flight of the program.

A very fine vintage glossy NASA photograph in very good condition. VG+

£8.95

Mercury Capsule Mating To Big Joe  #2

10 x  8  B/W Glossy NASA Photograph

NASA  No.  PL-59-18476

10 August 1959

High gantry view of the  Mercury boilerplate spacecraft is being mated to the Mercury Atlas 628 10D at Cape Canaveral. This flight is to test and validate the Mercury concept of capsule re-entry and was named Big Joe, first booster flight of the program.

A very fine vintage glossy NASA photograph in very good condition. VG+

£8.95

Convair Atlas 10-D At Night

Big Joe At Night

10 x  8  B/W Glossy NASA Photograph

8 September 1959

The night before launch at Pad 14, Big Joe, Mercury Missile 628 (10D) has the Mercury Boilerplate spacecraft installed on top and is ready for flight. The spacecraft was launched on 9 September 1959 from Cape Canaveral for a test validation of the Mercury concept.

This fine vintage NASA glossy photograph is in good condition.

£9.95

Big Joe Ready To Launch

10 x  8  B/W Glossy NASA Photograph

9 September 1959

NASA  No.  PL-59-19402

Big Joe ready for launch from Pad 14 at Cape Canaveral. The objective of "Big Joe" was to test the ablating heat-shield. The flight was both a success and failure – the heat-shield survived re-entry and was in remarkably good condition when retrieved from the Atlantic. The Atlas-D booster, however, failed to stage and separated too late from the Mercury capsule.

This fine vintage NASA glossy photograph is in very good condition. VG+

£8.95

Big Joe Lift Off

10 x  8  B/W Glossy NASA Photograph

9 September 1959

NASA  No.  PL-59-22308

Big Joe lifts off from Pad 14 at the Cape. The objective of "Big Joe" was to test the ablating heat-shield. The flight was both a success and failure – the heat-shield survived re-entry and was in remarkably good condition when retrieved from the Atlantic. The Atlas-D booster, however, failed to stage and separated too late from the Mercury capsule.

This fine vintage NASA glossy photograph is in very good condition.

£9.95

Big Joe Lift Off  #2

10 x  8  B/W Glossy NASA Photograph

9 September 1959

NASA  No.  PL-59-22307

Big Joe lifts off from Pad 14 at the Cape. The objective of "Big Joe" was to test the ablating heat-shield. The flight was both a success and failure – the heat-shield survived re-entry and was in remarkably good condition when retrieved from the Atlantic. The Atlas-D booster, however, failed to stage and separated too late from the Mercury capsule.

This fine vintage NASA glossy photograph is in very good condition. VG+

£9.95

Big Joe Lift Off  #3

10 x  8  B/W Glossy NASA Photograph

NASA  No. PL-59-19404

9 September 1959

NASA boilerplate model of Mercury capsule successfully launched on the Atlas 10D named Big Joe. It was recovered in the South Atlantic after surviving re-entry heat of more than 10,000°F.

This fine vintage NASA glossy photograph is in very good condition.

£6.95

Little Joe 1A Low Altitude Abort Test

10 x  8  B/W Glossy NASA Photograph

4 November 1959

Launching of the Little Joe 1A launch vehicle on November 4, 1959 took place at Wallops Island, Va. The ring-sail parachute lands the spacecraft off the shore of Wallops Island, Virginia. The Little Joe rocket booster was developed as a cheaper, smaller, and more functional alternative to the Redstone rockets. Little Joe could be produced at one-fifth the cost of Redstone rockets and still have enough power to carry a capsule payload. Seven unmanned Little Joe rockets were launched at Wallops Island, Virginia, from August 1959 to April 1961.

This vintage NASA glossy photograph is in very good condition.

21 January 1960 - 15 Atlas launch vehicles and 26 Mercury spacecraft purchased:  At a meeting to draft fiscal year 1962 funding estimates, the total purchase of Atlas launch vehicles was listed as 15, and the total purchase of Mercury spacecraft was listed as 26.

21 January 1960 - Little Joe Spacecraft Test mission:  Little Joe 1-B (LJ-1B) was launched from Wallops Island with a rhesus monkey, 'Miss Sam,' aboard. Test objectives for this flight were the same as those for Little Joe 1 (LJ-1) in which the escape tower launched 31 minutes before the planned launch, and Little Joe 1-A (LJ-1A), wherein the dynamic build up in the abort manoeuvre was too low. A physiological study of the primate, particularly in areas applying to the effects of the rapid onset of reverse acceleration during abort at maximum dynamic pressure, was also made. In addition, the Mercury helicopter recovery system was exercised. During the mission, all sequences operated as planned; the spacecraft attained a peak altitude of 9.3 statute miles, a range of 11.7 statute miles, and a maximum speed of 2,021.6 miles per hour. Thirty minutes from launch time, a Marine recovery helicopter deposited the spacecraft and its occupant at Wallops Station. 'Miss Sam' was in good condition, and all test objectives were successfully fulfilled.

£8.95

LJ-1B Miss Sam Returns To Wallops Island

10 x  8   Black & White Glossy Photograph

NASA  No.  B-60-778

21 January 1959

A Marine helicopter is seen carrying the Little Joe-1B spacecraft with the rhesus monkey, Miss Sam, still inside back to Wallops Island Station after a successful abort test mission.

This fine vintage NASA glossy photograph is in very good condition.

On February 19, NASA officials again presented the ten-year timetable to the House Committee. A lunar soft landing with a mobile vehicle had been added for 1965. On March 28, NASA Administrator T. Keith Glennan described the plan to the Senate Committee on Aeronautical and Space Sciences. He estimated the cost of the program to be more than $1 billion in Fiscal Year 1962 and at least $1.5 billion annually over the next five years, for a total cost of $12 to $15 billion.

March - April 1960 - Mercury-Atlas working panels:  The Mercury-Atlas working panels were reorganized into four groups: coordination, flight test, trajectory analysis, and change control. Each panel was composed of at least one representative from NASA (Space Task Group), McDonnell, Air Force Ballistic Missile Division, Space Technology Laboratory, and Convair-Astronautics.

16 March 1960 - The Space Task Group published recovery requirements for the Mercury-Atlas 1 (MA-1) flight test.

5 April 1960 - Preliminary specifications to modify the Mercury capsule by adding a re-entry control navigation system:  Preliminary specifications were issued by Space Task Group (STG) to modify the Mercury capsule by adding a reentry control navigation system. The modified capsule would obtain a small lifting capability (lift-over-drag ratio would equal approximately 0.26). The self-contained capsule navigation system would consist of a stable platform, a digital computer, a possible star tracker, and the necessary associated electronic equipment. Dispersion from the predicted impact point would be less than 10 miles. The prospective development called for a prototype to be delivered to NASA for testing in February 1961; and first qualified system, or Modification I, to be delivered by August 1961; and the final qualified system, or Modification II, to be delivered by January 1962. STG anticipated that four navigational systems (not including prototype or qualification units) would be required.

£8.95

Mercury Beach Abort Test

Mercury Capsule #1

10 x  8  B/W Glossy NASA Photograph

9 May 1960

NASA's Wallops Island, VA. Test Area.

Mercury spacecraft #1 and its Launch Escape System were fired from the ground level. The flight lasted 1-minute 16 seconds and reached an apogee of 2,465 feet (750 m) and a range of 0.6 mile (0.96 km). A Marine Corps helicopter recovered the spacecraft 17 minutes later. Top speed was a velocity of 976 mph (1,571 km/h). The test was considered a success, although there was insufficient separation distance when the tower jettisoned. Mercury spacecraft # 1, the first spacecraft off McDonnell's production line was used in this test. Payload 1,154 kg.

This fine vintage NASA glossy photograph is very good condition. VG+

5 July 1960  - House recommends a high priority manned expedition to the moon:  The House Committee on Science and Astronautics declared: "A high priority program should be undertaken to place a manned expedition on the moon in this decade. A firm plan with this goal in view should be drawn up and submitted to the Congress by NASA. Such a plan, however, should be completely integrated with other goals, to minimize total costs. The modular concept deserves close study. Particular attention should be paid immediately to long lead-time phases of such a program." The Committee also recommended that development of the F-1 engine be expedited in expectation of the Nova launch vehicle, that there be more research on nuclear engines and less conventional engines before freezing the Nova concept, and that the Orion project be turned over to NASA. It was the view of the Committee that "NASA's 10-year program is a good program, as far as it goes, but it does not go far enough. Furthermore the space program is not being pushed with sufficient energy."

7 July 1960  -   Reporting plan for Mercury-Atlas and Mercury-Redstone missions Nation:  A reporting plan for Mercury-Atlas and Mercury-Redstone missions was issued. This document was amended on February 17, 1961, and April 10, 1961.

£4.95

The Atlas Family Of Space Vehicles

10 x  8  B/W Glossy NASA Photograph

NASA  No.  PL-60-56471

5 August 1960

The Atlas range of launch vehicles with a cut-away view of the Mercury Spacecraft. A full description of each is given on the back in the familiar purple mimeograph text..

This fine 1960 vintage glossy NASA photograph is in good condition.

£4.95

Mercury Capsule Instrument Panel

10 x  8  B/W Glossy NASA Photograph

NASA  NO.   B-60-794

1960

A rare view inside a Mercury Spacecraft looking at the Pilots Instrument Panel.

This fine vintage NASA glossy photograph is in poor to good condition.

SOLD

Convair Atlas 50-D

Mercury-Atlas 1 Booster Being Erected

10 x  8  B/W Glossy NASA Photograph

NASA  No.  B-60-1513

July 1960

A fantastic gantry view of the MA-1 Atlas Booster 50D being moved into position for erection at Launch Complex 14 in preparation for the special Project Mercury capsule re-entry test.

This fine vintage glossy NASA photograph is in very good condition.

£8.95

Mercury Capsule #4  MA-1 Mating

10 x  8  B/W Glossy NASA Photograph

NASA  No.  B-60-1514

July 1960

A fine gantry view of the Project Mercury capsule No. 4 being hoisted to the top of the gantry at Launch Complex 14 for mating with the MA-1 Atlas 50D Booster in preparation for a special capsule re-entry test.

This fine vintage glossy NASA photograph is in very good to good condition.

£7.95

Mercury-Atlas 1 Gantry Roll-Back

10 x  8  B/W Glossy NASA Photograph

NASA  No.  PL-60-56156

21 July 1960

A fine view of the MA-1 Atlas 50-D booster with Mercury spacecraft #4 mated as its payload. The gantry's work platforms have been raise in preparations for gantry roll-back during pre-launch activities at Launch Complex 14.

This fine vintage glossy NASA photograph is in good condition.

£9.95

Mercury-Atlas 1 Launch Preparations

10 x  8  B/W Glossy NASA Photograph

NASA  No.  G-60-2755

29 July 1960

The Mercury-Atlas 1 flight  was aimed at qualifying the spacecraft under maximum air-loads and after-body heating rate during re-entry conditions using Mercury spacecraft No.4. The test was unsuccessful because of a launch vehicle system malfunction.

This fine vintage glossy NASA photograph is in very good condition. VG+

£9.95

Mercury-Atlas 1 Lift Off

10 x  8  B/W Glossy NASA Photograph

NASA  No.  PL-60-56271

29 July 1960

This R&D flight was aimed at qualifying the spacecraft under maximum air-loads and after-body heating rate during re-entry conditions using Mercury spacecraft No.4. The test was unsuccessful because of a launch vehicle system malfunction.

This fine vintage glossy NASA photograph is in very good condition. VG+

29 July 1960  -   MA-1 Spacecraft Test mission:  MA-1 was launched from the Atlantic Missile Range in a test of spacecraft structural integrity under maximum heating conditions. After 58.5 seconds of flight, MA-1 exploded and the spacecraft was destroyed upon impact off-shore and only reached an apogee of 8 miles. None of the primary capsule test objectives were met. The mission objectives were to check the integrity of the spacecraft structure and after-body shingles for a re-entry associated with a critical abort and to evaluate the open-loop performance of the Atlas abort-sensing instrumentation system. The spacecraft contained no escape system and no test subject. Standard posigrade rockets were used to separate the spacecraft from the Atlas, but the retrorockets were dummies. The flight was terminated because of a launch vehicle and adapter structural failure. The spacecraft was destroyed upon impact with the water because the recovery system was not designed to actuate under the imposed flight conditions. Later most of the spacecraft, the booster engines, and the liquid oxygen vent valve were recovered from the ocean floor. Since none of the primary flight objectives was achieved, Mercury-Atlas 2 (MA-2) was planned to fulfil the mission.

August 1960 to February 1961 - Exhaustive review of Mercury-Atlas after dual Atlas failures:  Because of the failure of the Big Joe Atlas test flight and the Mercury-Atlas 1 (MA-1) flight to attain all its mission objectives, the overall Mercury-Atlas program underwent an exhaustive review.

£6.95

Titan 1 J-7 Re-Entry Vehicle Test

10  x  8  B/W  Glossy NASA Photograph

NASA No.  PL-60-56607

10 August 1960

The Titan I J-7 is in the service gantry at Launch Complex 15 prior to lift off for this MK-4 Re-entry Vehicle Test mission. A film crew is seen in the foreground ready to capture the event on flim.

The Titan I was built as back-up to the Atlas, using two stages instead of one and a half, and conventional tank construction in lieu of balloon tanks. It was also to have been used for suborbital tests of the X-20A Dynasoar manned space plane. For unknown reasons it was never refurbished for use as space launcher and scrapped after being replaced by the Titan II in the mid-1960's.

This fine vintage NASA glossy photograph is in very good condition.

Special Mini Gallery

Mercury Redstone-1 Spacecraft #2 

August 1960

A wonderful series of 36 vintage NASA glossy photographs covering the MR-1 Spacecraft Check-Out in Hangar S at the Cape and the Test Mating of the Escape Tower System.

Click on the photo on the left to enter this gallery.

£8.95

MR-1 Pre-Launch Activity At Pad 5

10 x  8  B/W Glossy NASA Photograph

NASA  NO.   PL-60-58136

21 November 1960

A early morning view at Pad 5 of the Mercury Redstone-1 Launch Vehicle with the Mercury Capsule #2 as its payload surrounded by the gantry during pre-launch activities.

This fine vintage NASA glossy photograph is in very good condition.

£8.95

MR-1 Loxing Activity At Pad 5

10 x  8  B/W Glossy NASA Photograph

NASA  NO.   PL-60-58124

21 November 1960

A fine early morning view of the MR-1 Launch Vehicle with Mercury Capsule #2 in its gantry with liquid oxygen vapours steaming out as its fuelled for launch.

This fine vintage NASA glossy photograph is in very good condition.

MR-l  Launch Attempt

21 November 1960  - An attempt was made to launch Mercury-Redstone 1 (MR-1) from the Cape:  This unmanned mission was unsuccessful because premature cut-off of the launch vehicle engines activated the emergency escape system when the vehicle was only about 1 inch off the pad. Engine cut-off was caused by premature loss of electrical ground power to the booster. The launch vehicle settled back on the pad with only slight damage. The engine cut off after 1 second and then fell back to the pad from a about 5 inches high but did not explode. This faulty ground-support circuitry had not been noted on some 60 previous Redstone firings. Since the spacecraft received a cut-off signal, the escape tower and recovery sequence was initiated and launched the escape tower but not the capsule. The undamaged spacecraft was recovered for reuse.

£8.95

Mercury Redstone-1A (MR-1A) Ignition

10 x  8  B/W Glossy NASA Photograph

NASA  NO.   PL-60-90766.2

19 December 1960

NASA third attempt to attain the objectives of the Mercury Redstone booster and Spacecraft was finally successful. The primary bjectives of the MR-1A flight were to qualify the spacecraft for space flight and to qualify the flight system for a primate flight.

Lift off from the Cape's LC 5 was at 16:15 GMT on 19 Dec. 1960.

This fine vintage NASA glossy photograph is in very good condition.

£8.95

Mercury Redstone-1A (MR-1A) Lift Off

10 x  8  B/W Glossy NASA Photograph

NASA  NO.   PL-60-90766.3

19 December 1960

After three attempts the Mercury Redstone-1 (now 1A) Lifts off from the Cape's Launch Complex-5 was at 16:15 GMT on 19 Dec. 1960.

This fine vintage NASA glossy photograph is in very good condition.

MR-l (A)   Launch 

19 December 1960  - Mercury-Redstone 1A (MR-1A) launched from the Cape:  Mercury-Redstone 1A (MR-1A) was launched from Cape Canaveral in a repeat of the November 21, 1960, mission and was completely successful. This was the third attempt to accomplish the objectives established for this flight. The first attempt on November 7, 1960, was cancelled as a result of a helium leak in the spacecraft reaction control system relief valve, and on November 21, 1960, the mission could not be completed because of premature cut-off of the launch vehicle engines. Objectives of the MR-1A flight were to qualify the spacecraft for space flight and to qualify the flight system for a primate flight scheduled shortly thereafter. Close attention was given to the spacecraft-launch vehicle combination as it went through the various flight sequences: powered flight; acceleration and deceleration; performance of the posigrade rockets; performance of the recovery system; performance of the launch, tracking, and recovery phases of the operation; other events of the flight including retrorocket operation in a space environment; and operation of instrumentation. Except that the launch vehicle cut-off velocity was slightly higher than normal, all flight sequences were satisfactory; tower separation, spacecraft separation, spacecraft turnaround, retrofire, retro-package jettison, and landing system operation occurred or were controlled as planned. The spacecraft reached a maximum altitude of 130.68 statute miles, a range of 234.8 statute miles, and a speed of 4,909.1 miles per hour. Fifteen minutes after landing in the Atlantic Ocean, the recovery helicopter picked up the spacecraft Mercury Capsule #2) to complete the successful flight mission.

£7.95

Mercury Capsule #6 For Mercury-Atlas 2

10 x  8  B/W Glossy NASA Photograph

NASA  NO.   PL-60-57178

7 September 1960

Mercury Capsule #6 is seen being moved from Hangar S to the H202 Room for testing..

This fine vintage NASA glossy photograph is in very good condition.

£7.95

MA-2 Capsule #6 Going Into H202 Room

10 x  8  B/W Glossy NASA Photograph

NASA  NO.   PL-60-57179

7 September 1960

Mercury Capsule #6 is seen being moved into the H202 Room for testing.

This fine vintage NASA glossy photograph is in very good condition.

£7.95

MA-2 Capsule #6 In H202 Room

10 x  8  B/W Glossy NASA Photograph

NASA  NO.   PL-60-57185

7 September 1960

The H202 Service Trailer is seen in the foreground with MA-2 Capsule #6 in the background.

This fine vintage NASA glossy photograph is in very good condition.

£7.95

MA-2 Capsule #6 During H202 Test

10 x  8  B/W Glossy NASA Photograph

NASA  NO.   PL-60-57180

7 September 1960

Close up view of The MA-2 Capsule #6 during H202 testing.

This fine vintage NASA glossy photograph is in very good condition.

£7.95

MA-2 Capsule #6 During H202 Test #2

10 x  8  B/W Glossy NASA Photograph

NASA  NO.   PL-60-57181

7 September 1960

Close up view of The MA-2 Capsule #6 during H202 testing.

This fine vintage NASA glossy photograph is in very good condition.

20 September 1960  -  Mercury Atlas launch vehicle 67-D delivered to Cape Canaveral:  The Atlas launch vehicle 67-D was delivered to Cape Canaveral for the Mercury-Atlas 2 (MA-2) re-entry test mission.

26 September 1960 - Roll-out inspection of Mercury Atlas launch vehicle 77-D:  The roll-out inspection of Mercury Atlas launch vehicle 77-D was conducted at Convair-Astronautics. This launch vehicle was allocated for the Mercury-Atlas 3 (MA-3) mission, but was later cancelled and Atlas booster 100-D was used instead.

18 November 1960 - Mercury Spacecraft No. 8 delivered to Cape Canaveral Nation:  Spacecraft No. 8 was delivered to Cape Canaveral for the Mercury-Atlas 3 (MA-3) unmanned orbital mission.

17 February 1961 - Space Task Group selected severe flight trajectory for Mercury-Atlas 2:  Information was released by NASA Headquarters that Space Task Group engineers directing Project Mercury had selected the flight trajectory for the Mercury-Atlas 2 (MA-2) mission.

£8.95

MR-2 Lift Off With Ham Onboard

10 x  8  B/W Glossy NASA Photograph

NASA  No.   61-MR2-14

31 January 1961

MR-2 with Han, a 37-lb chimpanzee, onboard. Spacecraft-5 reached 155 statute miles altitude, landed 420 statute miles downrange and was recovered. During the landing phase the parachuting craft was drifting as it struck the water. Impact of the angled blow slammed the suspended heat shield against a bundle of potted wires, driving a bolt through the pressure bulkhead and causing the spacecraft to leak. Ham was rescued before the craft had taken on too much water.

This fine vintage NASA glossy photograph is in very good condition. VG+

£8.95

MR-2 Lift Off With Ham Onboard  #2

10 x  8  B/W Glossy NASA Photograph

NASA  No.   61-MR2-14 (2)

31 January 1961

MR-2 with Han, a 37-lb chimpanzee, onboard. Spacecraft-5 reached 155 statute miles altitude, landed 420 statute miles downrange and was recovered. During the landing phase the parachuting craft was drifting as it struck the water. Impact of the angled blow slammed the suspended heat shield against a bundle of potted wires, driving a bolt through the pressure bulkhead and causing the spacecraft to leak. Ham was rescued before the craft had taken on too much water.

This fine vintage NASA glossy photograph is in very good condition. VG+

£11.95

MR-2 In-flight Earth/Sky View

10 x  8   Colour Glossy NASA Photograph

NASA  NO.   S-61-04671

21 February 1961

Here's one you do not see very often, a Earth Sky shot taken by a Monkey. Well actually, Ham did not take this using a hand held camera. His spacecraft had automatic camera's onboard to handle the in-flight shots.

This very fine vintage NASA colour glossy photograph is in very good condition, near mint and printed on heavy 'A Kodak Paper'.

£8.95

MR-2 With Ham Onboard After Splashdown