Project Mercury

Project Mercury was the United States's first successful manned spaceflight program. It ran from 1959 through 1963 with the goal of putting a man in orbit around the Earth. Early planning and research was carried out by NACA, while the program was officially carried out by the newly created NASA. The name Mercury comes from the Roman god (it is also the name of the innermost planet of the solar system).

Related Topics:
United States - Manned spaceflight program - 1959 - 1963 - NACA - NASA - Roman god - Innermost planet - Solar system

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The Mercury program cost $1.5 billion in 1994 dollars. See NASA Budget.

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