Mercury-Redstone 3
Redstone MRLV
National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Rocket Launch Videos
Crew
Alan Shepard
- Birthday: 11/18/1923
- Role: Pilot
- Nationality: United States of America
- First Flight: 05/05/1961
- Last Flight: 02/06/1971
Rear Admiral Alan Bartlett Shepard Jr. was an American astronaut, naval aviator, test pilot, and businessman. In 1961 he beca...
Mission
Mercury-Redstone 3
- Type: Human Exploration
- Orbit: Suborbital
Mercury-Redstone 3, or Freedom 7, was the first United States human spaceflight, on May 5, 1961, piloted by astronaut Alan Shepard. It was the first manned flight of Project Mercury, the objective of which was to put an astronaut into orbit around the Earth and return him safely. Shepard's mission was a 15-minute suborbital flight with the primary objective of demonstrating his ability to withstand the high g-forces of launch and atmospheric re-entry.
Location
Launch Complex 5
Cape Canaveral SFS, FL, USA
Find the best place to watch the launch from Florida
Launch Complex 5 has witnessed the launch of 13 rockets, including 7 orbital launch attempts. While Cape Canaveral SFS, FL, USA, has been the site for 1106 rocket launches.
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.
Rocket
Chrysler Redstone MRLV
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.
Agency
National Aeronautics and Space Administration
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.
Learn more about National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Frequently Asked Questions
When was the National Aeronautics and Space Administration Redstone Mercury-Redstone 3 launch scheduled?
The National Aeronautics and Space Administration Redstone Mercury-Redstone 3 launch was scheduled for:
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Where can I watch the National Aeronautics and Space Administration Redstone Mercury-Redstone 3 launch video?
You can watch the National Aeronautics and Space Administration Redstone launch video on this page. The official video includes full mission coverage with multiple camera angles, onboard views, and expert commentary covering pre-launch procedures, liftoff, stage separation, and payload deployment.
Where did the National Aeronautics and Space Administration Redstone Mercury-Redstone 3 mission launch from?
The National Aeronautics and Space Administration 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 3 mission?
The Mercury-Redstone 3 mission launched aboard a National Aeronautics and Space Administration 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. <br> <br>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 National Aeronautics and Space Administration Redstone Mercury-Redstone 3 launch?
The National Aeronautics and Space Administration Redstone Mercury-Redstone 3 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 National Aeronautics and Space Administration Redstone Mercury-Redstone 3 launch was delayed?
This page was updated in real-time with the latest National Aeronautics and Space Administration Redstone launch status, including any delays or scrubs for the Mercury-Redstone 3 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 National Aeronautics and Space Administration live streams provided the most immediate range updates during the launch window.
