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  Current location of Mercury-Atlas 4 capsule

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Author Topic:   Current location of Mercury-Atlas 4 capsule
Solarplexus
Member

Posts: 125
From: Norway
Registered: Jan 2014

posted 06-15-2022 01:16 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Solarplexus     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Mercury-Atlas 4 became the first spaceship (unmanned) of the US that orbited Earth in September 13, 1961. But I haven't found it in any exhibitions anywhere.

Does anyone know where it is today?

onesmallstep
Member

Posts: 1351
From: Staten Island, New York USA
Registered: Nov 2007

posted 06-15-2022 01:43 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for onesmallstep   Click Here to Email onesmallstep     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
I was just researching this topic. I emailed someone at the NASA history office after seeing an entry on the NASA website on MA-4, but with no details on where the capsule is today.

Solarplexus
Member

Posts: 125
From: Norway
Registered: Jan 2014

posted 06-15-2022 05:18 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Solarplexus     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Well we might find out someday, if NASA can find it

Robert Pearlman
Editor

Posts: 48530
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999

posted 06-15-2022 07:00 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Robert Pearlman   Click Here to Email Robert Pearlman     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
According to A Field Guide to American Spacecraft (which is currently offline), the Mercury-Atlas 4 capsule was dismantled by the National Air and Space Museum in 1976 "for spare parts."

Interestingly, the guide also identifies that MA-4 was the same capsule that flew on Mercury-Atlas 3. The Atlas was destroyed by range safety 40 seconds into the flight but the capsule was recovered and reused for MA-4.

All times are CT (US)

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