NASA Mercury-Redstone 2 Redstone MRLV
About the Mercury-Redstone 2 Mission
| Type | Test Flight |
|---|---|
| Orbit | Suborbital |
Mercury-Redstone 2 (MR-2) was the test flight of the Mercury-Redstone Launch Vehicle just prior to the first crewed American space mission in Project Mercury. Carrying a chimpanzee named Ham on a suborbital flight, Mercury spacecraft Number 5 was launched at 16:55 UTC on January 31, 1961 from LC-5 at Cape Canaveral, Florida. The capsule and Ham landed safely in the Atlantic Ocean 16 minutes and 39 seconds after launch.
Launch Pad & Location
Launch Complex 5
Cape Canaveral SFS, FL, USA
| Launches | 13 |
|---|---|
| Orbital Launch Attempts | 7 |
| 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.
Chrysler Redstone MRLV Rocket
The Mercury-Redstone Launch Vehicle, designed for NASA's Project Mercury, was the first American manned space booster. It was used for six sub-orbital Mercury flights from 1960–61; culminating with the launch of the first, and 11 weeks later, the second American (and the second and third humans) in space. The four subsequent Mercury human spaceflights used the more powerful Atlas booster to enter low Earth orbit.
A member of the Redstone rocket family, it was derived from the U.S. Army's Redstone ballistic missile and the first stage of the related Jupiter-C launch vehicle; but to human-rate it, the structure and systems were modified to improve safety and reliability.
| Length | 25.4 m |
|---|---|
| Diameter | 1.8 m |
| Stages | 1 |
| Launch Mass | 30.0 T |
| Apogee | 260.0 km |
| Maiden Flight | 11/21/1960 |
Mission Spacecraft
Mercury No.5
Mercury No.5 (5) 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.5 is the Mercury capsule used for the Mercury-Redstone 2 mission launched on January 31, 1961 with a chimpanzee onboard. 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 | 5 |
| Status | Single Use |
| Destination | Suborbital |
| Maiden Flight | 5/5/1961 |
| Mission End | 1/31/1961 |
| 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 Redstone Mercury-Redstone 2 launch scheduled?
The NASA Redstone Mercury-Redstone 2 launch was scheduled for:
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Where did the NASA Redstone Mercury-Redstone 2 mission launch from?
The NASA Redstone rocket launched from Launch Complex 5 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-Redstone 2 mission?
The Mercury-Redstone 2 mission launched aboard a NASA Redstone rocket. The Mercury-Redstone Launch Vehicle, designed for NASA's Project Mercury, was the first American manned space booster. It was used for six sub-orbital Mercury flights from 1960–61; culminating with the launch of the first, and 11 weeks later, the second American (and the second and third humans) in space. The four subsequent Mercury human spaceflights used the more powerful Atlas booster to enter low Earth orbit. A member of the Redstone rocket family, it was derived from the U.S. Army's Redstone ballistic missile and the first stage of the related Jupiter-C launch vehicle; but to human-rate it, the structure and systems were modified to improve safety and reliability. Detailed rocket specifications and performance data are available in the rocket details above.
What weather conditions could have delayed the NASA Redstone Mercury-Redstone 2 launch?
The NASA Redstone Mercury-Redstone 2 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 Redstone Mercury-Redstone 2 launch was delayed?
This page was updated in real-time with the latest NASA Redstone launch status, including any delays or scrubs for the Mercury-Redstone 2 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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