Mercury Project Collection

First chimpanzee in space. Ham, the first chimpanzee in space, in his flight suit. On January 31, 1961, a Mercury-Redstone rocket carrying Ham was launched from Cape Canaveral, Florida, USA

Little Joe 5B High-Q-Abort Test, 1961. Creator: NASA
Little Joe 5B High-Q-Abort Test, 1961. " Little Joe" 5B launched a Mercury spacecraft in a high-Q-abort test. The ring-sail parachute lands the spacecraft off the shore of Wallops Island

Mercury Astronauts Receiving the Collier Trophy, White House, Washington, USA, 1963. NASA Administrator James E. Webb (center)

Shepard hoisted from Mercury capsule, 1961. Creator: NASA
Shepard hoisted from Mercury capsule, 1961. A U.S. Marine helicopter recovery team hoists astronaut Alan B. Shepard Jr. from his Mercury spacecraft after a successful flight

Mercury On Deck, 1063. Creator: NASA
Mercury On Deck, 1963. The crew of the U.S.S. Kearsarge spelled out the words " Mercury 9" on the ships flight deck while on the way to the recovery area where astronaut Gordon Cooper was

MA-1 capsule reassembled after explosion, USA, 1960. Creator: NASA
MA-1 capsule reassembled after explosion, USA, 1960. The main objectives of Mercury Atlas-1 (MA-1) were to recover the capsule and test the integrity of the Mercury capsule structure

Cooper and Faith 7 recovery, 1963. Creator: NASA
Cooper and Faith 7 recovery, 1963. US Navy divers install a stabilizing flotation collar around Gordon Coopers Mercury space capsule nicknamed " Faith 7" shortly after splashdown

Failed attempt to recover Liberty Bell 7, Atlantic Ocean, 1961 Creator: NASA
Failed attempt to recover Liberty Bell 7, Atlantic Ocean, 1961. After the hatch of the " Liberty Bell 7" opened prematurely, gallons of seawater entered the spacecraft

Gordon Cooper and capsule on deck, Pacific Ocean, 1963. Creator: NASA
Gordon Cooper and capsule on deck, Pacific Ocean, 1963. Recovery personnel bring the Mercury space capsule " Faith 7" onboard the recovery ship U.S.S

Navy frogmen swim to spacecraft to begin retrieval, Pacific Ocean, 1963. Creator: NASA
Navy frogmen swim to spacecraft to begin retrieval, Pacific Ocean, 1963. U.S. Navy frogman, deployed from the hovering helicopter, swims next to the spacecraft and makes contact with astronaut L

President Kennedy tours Mercury Control Center, Cape Canaveral, Florida, USA, 1962. President John F. Kennedy is briefed on the operation of Mercury Control Center following the Mercury-Atlas 6 (MA-6)

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The Mercury Project was a groundbreaking endeavor that pushed the boundaries of space exploration. In 1961, NASA achieved a major milestone by sending the first chimpanzee into space aboard the Little Joe 5B High-Q-Abort Test. This marked an important step towards human spaceflight and paved the way for future missions. The dedication and ingenuity of the Mercury Astronauts were recognized when they received the prestigious Collier Trophy at the White House in Washington, USA, in 1963. Their bravery and commitment to pushing scientific boundaries made them true heroes. One iconic image from this project captured Alan Shepard being hoisted from his Mercury capsule after a successful mission in 1961. This moment symbolized triumph over adversity and showcased NASA's ability to overcome challenges. Despite setbacks like the explosion of MA-1 capsule during assembly in 1960, NASA persevered with their ambitious goals. They reassembled it and continued their pursuit of exploring outer space. Another memorable event was Gordon Cooper's recovery after his Faith 7 mission in 1963. The sight of him on deck, surrounded by ocean waves, demonstrated both his personal achievement and America's progress in conquering new frontiers. However, not all attempts were successful; there was a failed attempt to recover Liberty Bell 7 from the Atlantic Ocean in 1961. These setbacks served as reminders of how demanding and unpredictable space exploration can be. In another remarkable moment captured by NASA photographers, Navy frogmen swam towards spacecraft floating on Pacific Ocean waters for retrieval purposes. This image highlighted not only teamwork but also emphasized safety measures taken during these missions. President Kennedy himself visited Cape Canaveral's Mercury Control Center in Florida during one occasion to witness firsthand the incredible work being done there. His visit further underscored national support for this pioneering project. Lastly, various tests were conducted throughout this project - including flotation tests on models of Mercury capsules - which helped refine designs and ensure the safety of future astronauts.