Usage Conditions May Apply Usage Conditions Apply There are restrictions for re-using this media. For more information, visit the Smithsonian's Terms of Use page. IIIF provides researchers rich metadata and image viewing options for comparison of works across cultural heritage collections. More - https://iiif.si.edu View Manifest View in Mirador Viewer Usage Conditions May Apply Usage Conditions Apply There are restrictions for re-using this media. For more information, visit the Smithsonian's Terms of Use page. IIIF provides researchers rich metadata and image viewing options for comparison of works across cultural heritage collections. More - https://iiif.si.edu View Manifest View in Mirador Viewer

This spacesuit was worn by Scott Carpenter during the second orbital flight of a U.S. astronaut. The flight took place on May 24, 1962 and lasted for 4 hours and 56 minutes, during which time he traveled 76,020 miles and orbited the earth three times.

The spacesuitsuit was developed by B.F. Goodrich from the US Navy MK-IV full pressure suit, and selected by NASA in 1959 for use in Project Mercury. It was made of a nylon exterior with an aluminized thermal coating which gave it the famous "silver" color, and an interior rubber bladder. The spacesuit consisted of four basic components, the suit torso, helmet, gloves and boots, and underneath the suit, the astronauts wore a long cotton undergarment.

Transferred to the National Air and Space Museum from NASA in 1971

 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 PERSONAL EQUIPMENT-Pressure Suits Manufacturer B. F. Goodrich Co.
 Astronaut Scott M. Carpenter
 Dimensions Overall: 5 ft. 2 1/2 in. tall x 1 ft. 8 in. wide x 10 in. deep (158.75 x 50.8 x 25.4cm)
 Materials Exterior: Aluminium-coated nylon, brass, nylon, steel
Interior: Rubber/neoprene coated nylon
other: rubber/neoprene, plastic, velcro, nylon webbing, anodized aluminum, phenolic resin
 Inventory Number A19710022000 Credit Line Donated by the U.S. Navy Yard, Washington, DC Data Source National Air and Space Museum Restrictions & Rights Usage conditions apply
For more information, visit the Smithsonians Terms of Use.