NASA Mercury-Atlas 1 Atlas LV-3B
About the Mercury-Atlas 1 Mission
| Type | Test Flight |
|---|---|
| Orbit | Suborbital |
Mercury-Atlas 1 (MA-1) was the first attempt to launch a Mercury capsule and occurred on July 29, 1960 at Cape Canaveral, Florida. The spacecraft was unmanned and carried no launch escape system. The Atlas rocket suffered a structural failure 58 seconds after launch at an altitude of approximately 30,000 feet (9.1 km) and 11,000 feet (3.4 km) down range.
Launch Pad & Location
Space Launch Complex 14
Cape Canaveral SFS, FL, USA
| Launches | 20 |
|---|---|
| Orbital Launch Attempts | 16 |
| Total Launches | 1130 |
Cape Canaveral Space Force Station (CCSFS) is an installation of the United States Space Force's Space Launch Delta 45, located on Cape Canaveral in Brevard County, Florida.
NASA Atlas LV-3B Rocket
The Atlas LV-3B, Atlas D Mercury Launch Vehicle or Mercury-Atlas Launch Vehicle, was a human-rated expendable launch system used as part of the United States Project Mercury to send astronauts into low Earth orbit. Manufactured by American aircraft manufacturing company Convair, it was derived from the SM-65D Atlas missile, and was a member of the Atlas family of rockets.
| Length | 28.7 m |
|---|---|
| Diameter | 3.0 m |
| Stages | 1 |
| Launch Mass | 120.0 T |
| Takeoff Thrust | 1,300.0 kN |
| LEO Capacity | 1,360 kg |
| Maiden Flight | 7/29/1960 |
Mission Spacecraft
Mercury No.4
Mercury No.4 (4) was the spacecraft used for this mission. It is a NASA Capsule designed for Human transportation to upper Earth atmosphere and low Earth orbit. and traveled to Suborbital.
Mercury No.4 is the Mercury capsule used for the Mercury-Atlas 1 flight. The Mercury spacecraft's principal designer was Maxime Faget, who started research for manned spaceflight during the time of the NACA. With 100 cubic feet (2.8 m3) of habitable volume, the capsule was just large enough for a single crew member. Inside were 120 controls: 55 electrical switches, 30 fuses and 35 mechanical levers. The heaviest spacecraft, Mercury-Atlas 9, weighed 3,000 pounds (1,400 kg) fully loaded. Its outer skin was made of René 41, a nickel alloy able to withstand high temperatures. Between 15 minutes and 3 days.
| Type | Capsule |
|---|---|
| Agency | NASA |
| Serial Number | 4 |
| Status | Destroyed |
| Destination | Suborbital |
| Maiden Flight | 5/5/1961 |
| Mission End | 7/29/1960 |
| Flights | 1 |
| Crew Capacity | 1 |
| Human Rated | Yes |
| Height | 3.3 m |
| Diameter | 1.8 m |
About NASA
The National Aeronautics and Space Administration is an independent agency of the executive branch of the United States federal government responsible for the civilian space program, as well as aeronautics and aerospace research. NASA have many launch facilities but most are inactive. The most commonly used pad will be LC-39B at Kennedy Space Center in Florida.
| Total Launches | 142 |
|---|---|
| Successful | 122 |
| Failed | 20 |
| Pending | 5 |
| Consecutive Success | 12 |
Frequently Asked Questions
When was the NASA Atlas LV-3B Mercury-Atlas 1 launch scheduled?
The NASA Atlas LV-3B Mercury-Atlas 1 launch was scheduled for:
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Where did the NASA Atlas LV-3B Mercury-Atlas 1 mission launch from?
The NASA Atlas LV-3B rocket launched from Space Launch Complex 14 at Cape Canaveral SFS, FL, USA. Cape Canaveral Space Force Station (CCSFS) is an installation of the United States Space Force's Space Launch Delta 45, located on Cape Canaveral in Brevard County, Florida.
What rocket was used for the Mercury-Atlas 1 mission?
The Mercury-Atlas 1 mission launched aboard a NASA Atlas LV-3B rocket. The Atlas LV-3B, Atlas D Mercury Launch Vehicle or Mercury-Atlas Launch Vehicle, was a human-rated expendable launch system used as part of the United States Project Mercury to send astronauts into low Earth orbit. Manufactured by American aircraft manufacturing company Convair, it was derived from the SM-65D Atlas missile, and was a member of the Atlas family of rockets. Detailed rocket specifications and performance data are available in the rocket details above.
What weather conditions could have delayed the NASA Atlas LV-3B Mercury-Atlas 1 launch?
The NASA Atlas LV-3B Mercury-Atlas 1 launch could have been delayed by various weather conditions including lightning within 10 nautical miles, high winds (especially upper-level winds), thick cloud layers, precipitation, and poor visibility. Weather must be favorable at the launch site, downrange landing zones, and abort landing sites.
How can I get updates if the NASA Atlas LV-3B Mercury-Atlas 1 launch was delayed?
This page was updated in real-time with the latest NASA Atlas LV-3B launch status, including any delays or scrubs for the Mercury-Atlas 1 mission. You can also check our space launch schedule for historical launch information. Our mobile app provides push notifications for instant alerts about launch status changes. Official NASA live streams provided the most immediate range updates during the launch window.
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