Mercury-Atlas 5Atlas LV-3B National Aeronautics and Space Administration Launch Status Success Wed ยท Nov 29th, 1961 10:07 AM EST Location Space Launch Complex 14 Cape Canaveral, FL, USA 209 launches have been at this location. Rocket Atlas Length: 28.7 meters Diameter: 3 meters First Launched: July 29, 1960 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. The Atlas rocket has been launched a total of 7 times with 6 successful and 1 failed launches. Agency National Aeronautics and Space Administration Type: Government Abbreviation: NASA Administration: Administrator: Jim Bridenstine Founded: 1958 Launchers: Space Shuttle | SLS Spacecraft: Orion Country: USA 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. View Rocket Launch Schedule