Mercury-Atlas 2: Difference between revisions
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| operator = [[NASA]] |
| operator = [[NASA]] |
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| mission_duration = 17 minutes, 56 seconds |
| mission_duration = 17 minutes, 56 seconds |
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| distance_travelled = {{convert|1432|mi|km| |
| distance_travelled = {{convert|1432|mi|km|order=flip}} |
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| suborbital_apogee = {{convert|114|mi|km| |
| suborbital_apogee = {{convert|114|mi|km|order=flip}} |
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| spacecraft = [[ |
| spacecraft = [[Project Mercury#Spacecraft|Mercury]] No.6 |
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| manufacturer = [[McDonnell Aircraft]] |
| manufacturer = [[McDonnell Aircraft]] |
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| launch_mass = {{convert|1154|kg|lb}} |
| launch_mass = {{convert|1154|kg|lb}} |
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| programme = [[Project Mercury]]<br/><small>Mercury-Atlas series</small> |
| programme = [[Project Mercury]]<br/><small>Mercury-Atlas series</small> |
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[[Mercury program |
'''Mercury-Atlas 2''' ('''MA-2''') was an uncrewed test flight of the [[Mercury program]] using the [[Atlas LV-3B|Atlas]] rocket. It launched on February 21, 1961, at 14:10 UTC, from [[Cape Canaveral Air Force Station Launch Complex 14|Launch Complex 14]] at [[Cape Canaveral]], [[Florida]], United States.<ref>{{cite book |chapter-url=https://history.nasa.gov/SP-4201/ch10-7.htm |title=This New Ocean: A History of Project Mercury - NASA SP-4201 |author=Loyd S. Swenson Jr. |author2=James M. Grimwood |author3=Charles C. Alexander |publisher=NASA Special Publication-4201 in the NASA History Series |chapter=10 |page=4 |year=1966 |access-date=26 June 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070823124845/https://history.nasa.gov/SP-4201/ch10-7.htm|archive-date=2007-08-23}}</ref> |
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Test objectives for this flight were concerned with the ability of the spacecraft to withstand reentry under the temperature-critical abort conditions and with the capability of the Atlas to meet the proper injection conditions. Convair had promised to deliver thicker-skinned Atlas vehicles for subsequent flights, however Missile 67D was the last of the thin-skinned model and so it had to be modified for the Mercury mission, incorporating a stainless steel reinforcing band installed around the vehicle between stations 502 and 510. A thin sheet of asbestos was installed between the reinforcing band and the tank skin. This modification was installed as a precaution against the type of failure which had occurred on the previous MA-1 flight. The booster's flight path was also modified somewhat from Mercury-Atlas 1, being placed on a more shallow trajectory so as to reduce aerodynamic loads. |
Test objectives for this flight were concerned with the ability of the spacecraft to withstand reentry under the temperature-critical abort conditions and with the capability of the Atlas to meet the proper injection conditions. Convair had promised to deliver thicker-skinned Atlas vehicles for subsequent flights, however Missile 67D was the last of the thin-skinned model and so it had to be modified for the Mercury mission, incorporating a stainless steel reinforcing band installed around the vehicle between stations 502 and 510. A thin sheet of asbestos was installed between the reinforcing band and the tank skin. This modification was installed as a precaution against the type of failure which had occurred on the previous MA-1 flight. The booster's flight path was also modified somewhat from Mercury-Atlas 1, being placed on a more shallow trajectory so as to reduce aerodynamic loads. |
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The Atlas lifted into a clear blue February sky quite different from the cloudy, foggy weather of the MA-1 flight. Everyone in the blockhouse waited nervously for the vehicle to pass through the critical |
The Atlas lifted into a clear blue February sky quite different from the cloudy, foggy weather of the MA-1 flight. Everyone in the blockhouse waited nervously for the vehicle to pass through the critical [[max q]] zone. When it did so successfully, there was "enormous jubilation" from the launch team. MA-2 flew a successful suborbital mission that lasted 17 minutes 56 seconds. Altitude reached was {{convert|114|mi|km}}, speed, {{convert|13,227|mph|km/h|abbr=on}}. All test objectives were fully met, the only problems being a bit of propellant slosh. The capsule was recovered {{convert|1,432|mi|km}} downrange. Peak acceleration was 15.9 ''g'' (156 m/s²). Mass 1,154 kg. |
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Mercury spacecraft #6 and Atlas #67-D were used in the Mercury-Atlas 2 mission. |
Mercury spacecraft #6 and Atlas #67-D were used in the Mercury-Atlas 2 mission. The Mercury capsule is currently displayed at the [[Houston Museum of Natural Science]], Houston, TX.<ref>{{cite web| url=http://web.mac.com/jimgerard/AFGAS/pages/mercury/MA-2.html| title=Mercury spacecraft #6 display page on A Field Guide to American Spacecraft website| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100705143917/http://web.mac.com/jimgerard/AFGAS/pages/mercury/MA-2.html| archive-date=2010-07-05}}</ref> |
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==References== |
==References== |
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{{reflist}} |
{{reflist}} |
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*[http://www.hq.nasa.gov/office/pao/History/SP-4201/cover.htm This New Ocean: A History of Project Mercury - NASA SP-4201] |
*[http://www.hq.nasa.gov/office/pao/History/SP-4201/cover.htm This New Ocean: A History of Project Mercury - NASA SP-4201] |
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{{Project Mercury}} |
{{Project Mercury}} |
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[[Category:Project Mercury]] |
[[Category:Project Mercury]] |
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[[Category:1961 in spaceflight]] |
[[Category:1961 in spaceflight]] |
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[[Category:Spacecraft launched by Atlas rockets]] |
Latest revision as of 17:01, 6 January 2024
Mission type | Test flight |
---|---|
Operator | NASA |
Mission duration | 17 minutes, 56 seconds |
Distance travelled | 2,305 kilometres (1,432 mi) |
Apogee | 183 kilometres (114 mi) |
Spacecraft properties | |
Spacecraft | Mercury No.6 |
Manufacturer | McDonnell Aircraft |
Launch mass | 1,154 kilograms (2,544 lb) |
Start of mission | |
Launch date | February 21, 1961, 14:10 | UTC
Rocket | Atlas LV-3B 67-D |
Launch site | Cape Canaveral LC-14 |
End of mission | |
Landing date | February 21, 1961, 14:28 | UTC
Project Mercury Mercury-Atlas series |
Mercury-Atlas 2 (MA-2) was an uncrewed test flight of the Mercury program using the Atlas rocket. It launched on February 21, 1961, at 14:10 UTC, from Launch Complex 14 at Cape Canaveral, Florida, United States.[1]
Test objectives for this flight were concerned with the ability of the spacecraft to withstand reentry under the temperature-critical abort conditions and with the capability of the Atlas to meet the proper injection conditions. Convair had promised to deliver thicker-skinned Atlas vehicles for subsequent flights, however Missile 67D was the last of the thin-skinned model and so it had to be modified for the Mercury mission, incorporating a stainless steel reinforcing band installed around the vehicle between stations 502 and 510. A thin sheet of asbestos was installed between the reinforcing band and the tank skin. This modification was installed as a precaution against the type of failure which had occurred on the previous MA-1 flight. The booster's flight path was also modified somewhat from Mercury-Atlas 1, being placed on a more shallow trajectory so as to reduce aerodynamic loads.
The Atlas lifted into a clear blue February sky quite different from the cloudy, foggy weather of the MA-1 flight. Everyone in the blockhouse waited nervously for the vehicle to pass through the critical max q zone. When it did so successfully, there was "enormous jubilation" from the launch team. MA-2 flew a successful suborbital mission that lasted 17 minutes 56 seconds. Altitude reached was 114 miles (183 km), speed, 13,227 mph (21,287 km/h). All test objectives were fully met, the only problems being a bit of propellant slosh. The capsule was recovered 1,432 miles (2,305 km) downrange. Peak acceleration was 15.9 g (156 m/s²). Mass 1,154 kg.
Mercury spacecraft #6 and Atlas #67-D were used in the Mercury-Atlas 2 mission. The Mercury capsule is currently displayed at the Houston Museum of Natural Science, Houston, TX.[2]
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ Loyd S. Swenson Jr.; James M. Grimwood; Charles C. Alexander (1966). "10". This New Ocean: A History of Project Mercury - NASA SP-4201. NASA Special Publication-4201 in the NASA History Series. p. 4. Archived from the original on 2007-08-23. Retrieved 26 June 2013.
- ^ "Mercury spacecraft #6 display page on A Field Guide to American Spacecraft website". Archived from the original on 2010-07-05.
This article incorporates public domain material from websites or documents of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration.