Atlas LV-3B | Mercury-Atlas 8

Mission Status

The launch vehicle successfully inserted its payload(s) into the target orbit(s).

Mission Details

Mercury-Atlas 6 carrying Sigma 7 spacecraft carried astronaut Walter M. Schirra Jr. to orbit where he completed 6 orbits lasting a total of 9 hours and 13 minutes. The mission goal was to compete engineering tests and all objectives were met.

Tipo Missione Human Exploration
Orbita Low Earth Orbit
Launch Window 12:15 - 12:15

Rocket Configuration

Name Atlas LV-3B
Manufacturer National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Height 28.7 m
Diameter 3 m
Maiden Flight 1960-07-29
Success Rate 7/10 (70%)

The Atlas LV-3B, Atlas D Mercury Launch Vehicle or Mercury-Atlas Launch Vehicle, was a human-rated expendable launch system used as part of the United States Project Mercury to send astronauts into low Earth orbit. Manufactured by American aircraft manufacturing company Convair, it was derived from the SM-65D Atlas missile, and was a member of the Atlas family of rockets.