Mercury space program in the 1950s
The Mercury space program, initiated in the late 1950s, marked the United States' first significant effort in human spaceflight amidst the growing competition of the Cold War. Sparked by the Soviet Union's launch of Sputnik I in 1957, the program aimed to restore American technological prestige and demonstrate its capabilities in space exploration. Established under the newly formed National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) in July 1958, Project Mercury focused on putting a manned spacecraft into orbit, studying human function in space, and ensuring safe recovery of astronauts and their capsules.
The program featured seven astronauts, known as the "Mercury Seven," who became public icons and symbols of national pride. Over six manned flights conducted from 1961 to 1963, significant advancements were made despite the program's shorter duration compared to its Soviet counterparts. Notable achievements included Alan Shepard becoming the first American in space and John Glenn's historic orbital flight in 1962. Ultimately, Project Mercury laid the groundwork for subsequent missions, contributing crucial knowledge about the effects of space travel and preparing NASA for future endeavors in the Gemini and Apollo programs.
Mercury space program in the 1950s
Identification First U.S. manned space program; also known as Project Mercury
Date Officially started October 7, 1958; ended May 16, 1963, with the recovery of the last Mercury spacecraft
The Mercury space program provided the basic groundwork, training, and knowledge needed for future manned space flights.
Early developments that eventually led to Project Mercury began during World War I, when President Woodrow Wilson formed the National Advisory Committee on Aeronautics (NACA) so that the United States could be a leader in advanced military aviation. During World War II, numerous advances were made in military aviation, including oxygen-breathing systems and pressure suits. German research on jet- and rocket-propelled aircraft during that war was both impressive and frightening. When Germany surrendered, both the United States and the Soviet Union took German engineers, their documentation, and their knowledge back to their respective countries. After World War II, the United States and the Soviet Union entered into the Cold War as political, ideological, and military enemies in a race to develop advanced weaponry. The space race initially began as an attempt to secure military superiority.
Interest in rocket and space flight had existed for a long time, but the early to mid-1950’s saw a surge in publicity and public interest. For the United States, the real impetus came with the general perception that the Soviet Union’s space program was more advanced. On October 4, 1957, the Soviet Union launched Sputnik I , the first artificial satellite. The United States responded by supplying more funds for missile development and a manned space program. The space race became a matter of national pride and a validation of the American way of life, as well as a response to national security concerns. The United States launched its first satellite, Explorer 1, on January 31, 1958, and the Vanguard I went into orbit in March, 1958.
In 1958, President Dwight D. Eisenhower suggested that the exploration and development of space should fall under civilian, rather than military authority, except for matters involving national security. Congress agreed and NACA became the basis for the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) in July, 1958. NASA became operational on October 1, 1958, and Project Mercury was begun less than one week later.
The seven astronauts chosen for Project Mercury were announced in April, 1959. The “Mercury Seven” were Lieutenant Colonel John Hershel Glenn, Jr., from the Marine Corps; Lieutenant Commanders Walter Marty “Wally” Schirra, Jr., and Alan Bartlett Shepard, Jr., and Lieutenant Malcolm Scott Carpenter from the Navy. Captains Donald Kent “Deke” Slayton, Leroy Gordon Cooper, Jr., and Virgil I. “Gus” Grissom from the Air Force were assigned to duty as NASA test pilots and Mercury astronauts. These men were portrayed as average Americans, and the public quickly developed an overwhelming interest in all the details of their lives. The astronauts became celebrities and heroes and helped ignite the interest of the American public in space exploration.
The objectives of Project Mercury were to put a manned spacecraft in orbit around Earth, study human ability to function in space, and recover both the person and spacecraft safely. Project Mercury made six manned flights from 1961 to 1963 and supplied invaluable information and experience for the scientists and engineers who worked on future space exploration projects, especially the Gemini and Apollo programs.
Impact
Originally conceived to reestablish American technological supremacy in the eyes of the nations of the world, Project Mercury also captured the imagination of the public. Shaken and alarmed by the early success of the Soviet program, Americans needed to prove that their educational system, technology, scientists, engineers, and weapons were equal or superior to those of the Soviet Union. The public demanded that the space program be accelerated, and the government responded.
Although not as impressive overall as the Soviet Union’s Vostok manned space program—which had heavier spacecrafts, longer and more flights, sent the first woman into space, and held all the internationally recognized manned space flight records—Project Mercury was a success in its own right. In less than five years, manned space flight was achieved. During these flights, extremely important information was gathered on the physical and psychological effects of space travel on the human body. Additionally, twenty-five scientific experiments in areas such as earth observations, photography, and radiation were successfully completed.
Although Project Mercury produced fewer than fifty-four hours of manned space flight, the knowledge gained from the construction of the spacecraft and the infrastructure necessary to support the program provided the basis for NASA’s future space program.
Subsequent Events
Alan Shepard became the first American in space on May 5, 1961. Gus Grissom was next in space on July 21, 1961. John Glenn became the first American to fly in Earth’s orbit on February 20, 1962. He was in orbit for four and one-half hours. M. Scott Carpenter was the second American in orbit on May 24, 1962. He made three orbits of the earth. Wally Schirra lifted off on October 3, 1962, and made six orbits of the earth. L. Gordon Cooper piloted the last Mercury flight on May 15, 1963. His mission was the longest, with a twenty-two-orbit flight that lasted thirty-four hours. Deke Slayton never flew on Project Mercury because of a minor heart problem. Of the Mercury Seven astronauts, three later flew Gemini spacecraft, three were on Apollo crews, and one worked on the Apollo-Soyuz Test Project in 1975.
Bibliography
Catchpole, John. Project Mercury: NASA’s First Manned Space Programme. Chichester, United Kingdom: Springer-Praxis, 2001. An extremely detailed book covering all aspects of Project Mercury, arranged in sections describing the origin, equipment, organizations, and people involved.
Crouch, Tom D. Aiming for the Stars: The Dreamers and Doers of the Space Age. Washington, D.C.: Smithsonian Institution Press, 1999. An integrated account of the history of space exploration, focusing on the people who played major roles.
Walsh, Patrick J. Echoes Among the Stars: A Short History of the U.S. Space Program. Armonk, N.Y.: M. E. Sharpe, 2000. A brief introductory history discussing the importance of the space program in terms of the scientific, social, and cultural context.