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This Project Mercury commemorative medal was struck by the Vienna Mint. Project Mercury was NASA's first human spaceflight program. Alan Shepard, Virgil I. "Gus" Grissom, John Glenn, and M. Scott Carpenter were the first four astronauts to fly in the program. Alan Shepard was the first American in space in a suborbital flight in May 1961, and Gus Grissom was the second in another suborbital flight in July 1961. John Glenn became the first American to orbit the Earth in February 1962, and Scott Carpenter was the second in May 1962.

Space medal collector Thomas Becker donated this medal to the National Collectioin in 1972.

 Display Status

This object is on display in James S. McDonnell Space Hangar at the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center in Chantilly, VA.

James S. McDonnell Space Hangar
Object Details
Country of Origin Austria Type MEMORABILIA-Events Manufacturer Vienna Mint
 Dimensions 3-D: 3.2cm (1 1/4 in.)
 Materials Silver
 Inventory Number A19731520000 Credit Line Gift of Thomas Becker Data Source National Air and Space Museum Restrictions & Rights Usage conditions apply
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