This will be the second mission in the Atlas program. The mission profile is exactly the same as the first one. The sequence will start at T-3 with main engine ignition. After the engines are confirmed to be running at nominal thrust levels the vehicle will be released from the pad at T-0, from there the vertical ascent sequence begins. Once the vehicle reaches the nominal altitude the pitch maneuver will begin to create the correct trajectory. During the ascent the two side mounted engines, referred to as the "half stage" will run out of fuel and be jettisoned. From there the ascent will continue nominally until MECO, or main engine cutoff. At that point the vehicle will be in a stable, mostly circular orbit and it will be jettisoned. The capsule will then remain in orbit until it is time to return. At which time the triple engine retro pack will begin the return burn, each engine burning for 10 seconds igniting 5 seconds apart. The capsule will then enter the atmosphere once again and come down on parachutes, touching down on the surface where it will be recovered.

Mercury returns for another premature splashdown

Mission Summary

Mission Outcome: Failure

Reason for failure: Acceleration engines cutoff out of sync, sent vehicle control in high atmosphere. LES was not used, craft splashed down in the ocean and was recovered.

Mission Time: 6 minutes 20 seconds

Highest Alt: 31,347 meters

Highest Speed: 632 meters per second

Most G-Force: 6.8G