Mercury Atlas Collection

Launch of Mercury-Atlas 4, Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Florida, USA, 13 September 1961
Launch of Mercury-Atlas 4, Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Merritt Island, Florida, USA, 13 September 1961. Launch of Mercury-Atlas 4 (MA-4) spacecraft

A NASA Mercury-Atlas Module, c1960s. Artist: NASA
A NASA Mercury-Atlas Module, c1960s

The launch of the Mercury-Atlas 4 spacecraft from Cape Canaveral, Florida
September 13, 1961 - View of the launch of the Mercury-Atlas 4 spacecraft from Cape Canaveral, Florida

View of the liftoff of Mercury-Atlas 5 from Kennedy Space Center, Florida
November 29, 1961 - View of the liftoff of Mercury-Atlas 5 from Kennedy Space Center, Florida. The rocket is carrying space chimpanzee Eno

Pre-launch test of the Mercury-Atlas 9
May 14, 1963 - Pre-launch test of the Mercury-Atlas 9 (MA9) on Launch Pad 14 at Cape Canaveral, Florida

View of the Mercury-Atlas 3 liftoff from Cape Canaveral, Florida
April 25, 1961 - View of the Mercury-Atlas 3 liftoff from Cape Canaveral, Florida

The launch of the Mercury Atlas unmanned test flight
February 24, 1961 - The launch of the Mercury Atlas (MA-2), an unmanned suborbital Mercury capsule test

Mercury-Atlas 9 lifts off from its launch pad at Cape Canaveral, Florida
May 15, 1963 - Mercury-Atlas 9 lifts off from its launch pad at Cape Canaveral, Florida for the nations longest manned orbital flight

The unmanned Mercury-Atlas capsule sits atop its Atlas launch vehicle
September 13, 1961 - The unmanned Mercury-Atlas (MA-4) capsule sits atop its Atlas launch vehicle. The successful orbital flight followed the MA-3 mission, which was aborted earlier this year

Aerial view of the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex
Cape Canaveral, Florida, May 15, 2009 - This aerial view of the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex shows the rockets on display in an area known as the Rocket Garden

A NASA Project Mercury spacecraft is test launched from Cape Canaveral, Florida
February 21, 1961 - In this Project Mercury test, a spacecraft booster by a modified Atlas was launched from Cape Canaveral, Florida

An Atlas vehicle is shown as it is raised into its launch gantry. This Atlas attempted to launch a Mercury spacecraft (without any astronauts aboard) into orbital flight

Kennedy Space Center Rocket Garden, at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex, Florida, USA. This rocket garden contains rockets that were intended for use

Mercury-Atlas rocket. This is an Atlas rocket with a Mercury spacecraft on top. Project Mercury took place from 1959 to 1963, succeeding in putting the first US astronaut in space on 5 May 1961

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"Exploring New Frontiers: The Mercury Atlas Journey" Step back in time to the historic launch of Mercury-Atlas 4 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Florida, USA on September 13, 1961. This groundbreaking mission marked a significant milestone in space exploration. A captivating image from the c1960s showcases a NASA Mercury-Atlas Module, highlighting the technological advancements that paved the way for future missions, and is a testament to human ingenuity and determination. Astronaut M. Scott Carpenter took center stage as he piloted the Mercury-Atlas 7 (MA-7) mission. His courage and skill propelled him into history books forever. In another snapshot, Carpenter prepares diligently as the prime pilot for this momentous endeavor. The Sigma 7 capsule used in Mercury Atlas (MA-8) is proudly displayed at Johnson Space Center - an enduring symbol of mankind's relentless pursuit of knowledge and discovery. Witnessing liftoff was nothing short of awe-inspiring. Whether it was the majestic launch of Mercury-Atlas 5 from Kennedy Space Center or viewing with bated breath as Mercury-Atlas 3 soared into space from Cape Canaveral - each event left spectators spellbound by humanity's ability to defy gravity. Pre-launch tests were crucial in ensuring astronaut safety during these daring expeditions. The meticulous preparations undertaken before launching Mercury-Atlas 9 exemplify NASA's commitment to precision and thoroughness. Not all missions required human presence; even unmanned test flights played an integral role in advancing our understanding of space travel capabilities. These experiments laid essential groundwork for future manned missions. Finally, we celebrate yet another triumphant liftoff as Mercury-Atlas 9 gracefully ascends from its launch pad at Cape Canaveral, Florida – a testament to human ambition reaching new heights among the stars.