Usage Conditions May Apply Usage Conditions Apply There are restrictions for re-using this media. For more information, visit the Smithsonian's Terms of Use page. IIIF provides researchers rich metadata and image viewing options for comparison of works across cultural heritage collections. More - https://iiif.si.edu View Manifest View in Mirador Viewer Usage Conditions May Apply Usage Conditions Apply There are restrictions for re-using this media. For more information, visit the Smithsonian's Terms of Use page. IIIF provides researchers rich metadata and image viewing options for comparison of works across cultural heritage collections. More - https://iiif.si.edu View Manifest View in Mirador Viewer Usage Conditions May Apply Usage Conditions Apply There are restrictions for re-using this media. For more information, visit the Smithsonian's Terms of Use page. IIIF provides researchers rich metadata and image viewing options for comparison of works across cultural heritage collections. More - https://iiif.si.edu View Manifest View in Mirador Viewer

Project Mercury was the first U.S. human spaceflight program. Between 1961 and 1963, NASA launched six one-man Mercury capsules on suborbital and orbital missions. Mounted on top of the capsule was an orange escape tower, containing a solid-fuel rocket to pull the astronaut and his capsule away from the launch vehicle in an emergency on the launch pad or early in flight. Strapped to the back of the capsule, against the heat shield, was a retrorocket package, containing three retrorockets to bring the capsule out of orbit, and three small prograde rockets to effect separation from the launch vehicle.

The Mercury manufacturer, McDonnell Aircraft, built the Tube and Cable Mockup to test the layout of critical systems in the capsule. The Mockup was later refurbished by McDonnell to simulate the appearance of a real spacecraft, and was placed in the company museum. In March 1978, NASA transferred title to the National Air and Space Museum.

 Display Status

This object is not on display at the National Air and Space Museum. It is either on loan or in storage.
Object Details
Country of Origin United States of America Type SPACECRAFT-Crewed-Test Vehicles Manufacturer McDonnell Aircraft Corp.
 Dimensions Overall (Approximately): 324 in. long x 73 in. wide (822.96 x 185.42cm)
Other (At Base): 73 in. diameter (185.42cm)
 Materials wood, metal, fiberlas, plastic (see detailed description under Text Entries)
 Inventory Number A19790077000 Credit Line Transferred from the National Aeronautics and Space Administration Data Source National Air and Space Museum Restrictions & Rights Usage conditions apply
For more information, visit the Smithsonians Terms of Use.