Why We Fly

Mercury launch

MERCURY (1958-1963)

The goals of the first human spaceflight program, Mercury begun in 1958, were to:

  • Place a crewed spacecraft in orbital flight around the Earth.
  • Investigate human's performance capabilities and our ability to function in the environment of space.
  • Recover the crew and the spacecraft safely.

Mercury capsule

After the objectives were established, guidelines were established to ensure that the safest methods were used to reach them. These objectives were that:

  • Existing technology and off-the-shelf equipment should be used wherever practical.
  • The simplest and most reliable design would be used.
  • An existing launch vehicle would be employed to place the spacecraft into orbit.
  • A progressive and logical test program would be conducted.

These guidelines have remained an integral part of the space program ever since.  The United States' first human spaceflight project was successfully accomplished in 4 1/2 years. Over 2 million people from government agencies and the aerospace industry combined their skills, initiative, and experience into this national effort.

 

John Glenn

Next... Gemini (1962-1966)