| SpaceCAD Project Mercury Historical Overview |
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Project Mercury began in October of 1958. This was just one year after the Soviet launch of Sputnik I. Mercury I, America's first manned space flight, took place on May 5, 1961. |
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picture for larger size. Mercury Spacecraft. Source: NASA Web Site (not copyrighted) http://images.jsc.nasa.gov/images/pao/MERC_OV/10073397.jpg |
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Alan Shepard was the first American in space. His flight only lasted 15 minutes, but was so successful that three weeks later, President Kennedy announced plans to reach the moon. |
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picture for larger size. Alan Shepard in training. Source: NASA Web Site (not copyrighted) http://images.jsc.nasa.gov/images/pao/MR3/10073496.jpg |
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In February 1962, John Glenn became the first American to orbit Earth, logging five hours in space. His Mercury spacecraft, called Friendship 7, was carried into orbit by an Atlas booster rocket. |
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picture for larger size. Mercury launch. Source: NASA (not copyrighted) http://images.jsc.nasa.gov/images/pao/MR3/10073512.jpg |
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| John Glenn became famous from his space flight and later became a U. S. Senator. He was also able to return to space 30 years later on a Shuttle mission, making him the oldest American to travel in space. | |
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picture for larger size. Helicopter rescue. Source: NASA (not copyrighted) http://images.jsc.nasa.gov/images/pao/MR3/10073523.jpg |
To learn more about
the Mercury Project go to these links: This New Ocean: A
History of Project Mercury by L. Swenson
Jr. Project Mercury |
