This is a replacement "heat sink" heatshield for the Mercury-Redstone 2 capsule. The original was lost after recovery of the capsule from the ocean and this heatshield did not fly in space. The MR-2 capsule carried Ham, a chimpanzee, on a suborbital flight in January 1961. Heat sink heatshields absorbed the tremendous heat generated during the capsule's reentry and were used only during some early Mercury test flights before they were replaced by ablative heat shields.
McDonnell Aircraft made the heatshield and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration transferred it to the museum in 1968.
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-Parts & Structural Components
Manufacturer
McDonnell Aircraft
Dimensions
Overall: 185.42cm (6ft 1in.)
Materials
Beryllium, Preservative Coating, Paint, Steel
Inventory Number
A19680267001
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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