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This will be mission number 5 in the Mercury-Atlas program. The ascent profile and mission plan is the same as previously. 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.
The ascent sequence kicks off with the liftoff of the mission
The half stage engines burnout and are jettisoned, the ascent sequence continues as planned
The ascent sequence is nearly complete, the vehicle approaches main engine cutoff.
After main engine cutoff, the capsule is in orbit, and the booster separates
The retro sequence is initiated and preparations for return are made
The capsule returns to the surface once again on parachutes, after splashdown it was safely recovered
Mission Summary
Mission Summary
Mission Outcome: Success
Mission Time: 40 minutes 50 seconds
Apogee: 83,543 meters
Perigee: 81,272 meters
Highest Alt: 83,583 meters
Highest Speed: 2,080 meters per second
Most G-Force: 8.1G
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