Atlas LV-3B — mission imagery
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Mercury-Atlas 9

Atlas LV-3BNational Aeronautics and Space AdministrationSpace Launch Complex 14
Wednesday, May 15, 1963 · 01:04 PM UTCAdd to Calendar

This mission is complete.

Vehicle

Atlas LV-3B

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Atlas V is an expendable launch system in the Atlas rocket family. It was formerly operated by Lockheed Martin and is now operated by United Launch Alliance (ULA), a joint venture with...

Height59.7 m
LEO Payload18,850 kg
Launches147
Successes122

Provider

National Aeronautics and Space Administration

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USA • Founded 1958

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...

Mission Brief

Mercury-Atlas 9 was the final manned spaceflight of the United States' Mercury program. It carried the Faith 7 spacecraft with astronaut Gordon Cooper to orbit where it completed 22 orbits seconds before reentry. The mission lasted for, 34 hours, 19 minutes & 49 seconds. This was the last time an American was launched to space on a solo orbital mission. The mission had several technical problems, the biggest which was a short-circuit in the bus bar serving the 250 volt main inverter causing the automatic stabilization and control system to stop working during the 21st orbit. In the end Cooper had to use lines he had drawn on the window and his wristwatch to correctly execute burns to safely re-enter the atmosphere.

PayloadMercury-Atlas 9
OrbitLow Earth Orbit
CustomerMercury
Stages2
PadSpace Launch Complex 14, Cape Canaveral SFS, FL, USA

Mission Timeline

14 / 14100%
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Launch Site

Space Launch Complex 14, Cape Canaveral SFS, FL, USA

LAUNCH SITE
28.491°N, 80.547°W

Schedule History

No delays or schedule changes recorded.