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This will be the 7th (and final) mission of the Mercury-Atlas program, and the Mercury program in general. The mission profile will be the same as always. 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 Atlas takes to the stars one last time
Half stage is jettisoned and the ascent sequence continues nominally
Main engine cutoff approaches, booster prepares for jettison
The booster is jettisoned, the capsule is in orbit for the last time
Retro sequence initiates, the vehicle will soon permanently return to the atmosphere
Capsule reaches entry interface, parachutes are prepared for deployment
The parachutes guide Mercury to the final splashdown
Mission Summary
Mission Summary
Mission Outcome: Success
Mission Time: 1 day 0 hours 35 minutes 45 seconds
Apogee: 103,065 meters
Perigee: 84,995 meters
Highest Alt: 103,065 meters
Highest Speed: 2,073 meters per second
Most G-Force: 10.4G
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