This is a 1:48 scale model of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration's Mercury-Redstone rocket, which employed modified Army Redstone medium-range ballistic missiles. After several launches of unmanned Mercury spacecraft in late 1960 and early 1961, a Mercury-Redstone launched America's first astronaut in space on May 5, 1961. Alan Shepard, Jr., and the Freedom 7 capsule were lifted to a height of nearly 140 miles and a range of almost 600 miles in a flight lasting a little less than 16 minutes. The rocket was then used for the last time in the program when on July 21, 1961, it launched Virgil Grissom on another suborbital flight. NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center built this model and transferred it to NASM in 1977.
Display Status
This object is on display in James S. McDonnell Space Hangar at the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center in Chantilly, VA.
Object Details
Country of Origin
United States of America
Type
MODELS-Missiles & Rockets
Manufacturer
NASA Marshall Space Flight Center
Dimensions
Overall: 3 1/4 in. x 1 ft. 9 in. deep (8.26 x 53.34cm) 1:48 scale.
Materials
Plastic model with wood base and wood carrying case.
Inventory Number
A19770384000
Credit Line
Gift of NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center
Data Source
National Air and Space Museum
Restrictions & Rights
Usage conditions apply
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