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In order to better withstand the high gravitational forces of launch and reentry, each astronaut in Project Mercury, the first U.S. human spaceflight program, had form-fitting fiberglass couches cast for his body. This couch was used in the Mercury Procedures Trainer, a simulator, by Walter M. Schirra, who flew the third orbital flight (Mercury Atlas 8) in October 1962. Schirra later commanded Gemini VI-A in December 1965 and Apollo 7 in October 1968, the only astronaut to fly in all three early American manned space programs.

Ling-Temco-Vought (LTV), the simulator contractor, transferred this artifact to the National Air and Space Museum on behalf of the NASA Manned Spacecraft Center (now Johnson Space Center).

 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 EQUIPMENT-Training Devices Manufacturer McDonnell Aircraft Corp.
 Dimensions Approximate: 10in. x 4ft 6in. x 1ft 11in., 35lb. (25.4 x 137.16 x 58.42cm, 15.9kg)
 Materials HAZMAT: Magnesium
Phenolic Resin, Synthetic Fabric, Steel, Paint, Aluminum, Wood, Foam
 Inventory Number A19690072000 Credit Line Transferred from NASA Data Source National Air and Space Museum Restrictions & Rights Usage conditions apply
For more information, visit the Smithsonians Terms of Use.