SOLAR SYSTEM

Detailed explanation-1: -The objectives of the Mercury Project, as stated at the time of project go-ahead, were as follows: Place a manned spacecraft in orbital flight around the earth.

Detailed explanation-2: -Initiated in 1958 and completed in 1963, Project Mercury was the United States’ first man-in-space program. The objectives of the program, which made six manned flights from 1961 to 1963, were simple: to orbit a manned spacecraft around Earth.

Detailed explanation-3: -Two types of rockets were used for Project Mercury. The first two of the six flights with an astronaut on board used a Redstone rocket. The four manned flights that orbited Earth used an Atlas rocket.

Detailed explanation-4: -The seven Mercury astronauts were (from left) Wally Schirra, Alan Shepard, Deke Slayton, Gus Grissom, John Glenn, Gordon Cooper and Scott Carpenter.

Detailed explanation-5: -Mercury, America’s first human space flight program, introduced the nation to its first astronauts. There were six total flights with six astronauts flown. Total flight time for these missions was 53 hours, 55 minutes and 27 seconds.