Mercury-Redstone 1A (MR-1A) was the first test of the Mercury capsule-Redstone launch vehicle configuration, and the first recovery of a production-line Mercury spacecraft that had been flown in space. Launched on 19 December 1960, Mercury capsule #2 flew a suborbital trajectory to an altitude of 212 km (131 mi.), parachuting into the ocean 15 minutes and 45 seconds later. It was the first successful test of the Mercury-Redstone launch vehicle. The mission had been rechristened 1A after an unsuccessful MR-1 launch attempt on 21 November in which the vehicle only rose a few centimeters, the engine cut off and the rocket settled back on the launch ring, resulting in the capsule firing the escape tower and ejecting the parachutes. The capsule was refurbished and placed on a new Redstone for the MR-1A attempt.
In 2003 NASA transferred the capsule to the Smithsonian Institution.
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
Manufacturer
McDonnell Aircraft Corp.
Dimensions
Overall: 9ft 4in. x 6ft 1in., 2800lb. (284.48 x 185.42cm, 1270.1kg)
Materials
Skin & Structure: Titanium
Shingles: Nickel-steel alloy; Beryllium shingles removed
Ablation Shield: Glass fibers, resin
Inventory Number
A20030179000
Credit Line
Transferred from the National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Data Source
National Air and Space Museum
Restrictions & Rights
Usage conditions apply
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