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This is the third mission in the Atlas program, hopefully this time it will get to orbit, as the previous two missions have ended prematurely. The mission profile today will be the standard Atlas profile. 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.
Liftoff occurs and the Mercury-Atlas 3 mission officially begins
Ascent sequence continuing nominally, the cutoff of the half stage is imminent
The half stage engines are jettisoned, and the ascent sequence continues nominally
The sustain engine continues the ascent sequence
The vehicle reaches a stable orbit, and the ascent stage is jettisoned
With the retro burn in progress, the vehicle prepares to return to the surface
The capsule makes entry into the atmosphere, after that the vehicle returned to a safe splashdown and recovery with the aid of the parachute
Mission Summary
Mission Summary
Mission Outcome: Success
Mission Time: 40 minutes 0 seconds
Highest Alt: 84,985 meters
Apogee: 84,985 meters
Perigee: 76,568 meters
Highest Speed: 2,094 meters per second
Max G-Force: 6.8G
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