ROCKETS, MISSILES, & LAUNCH VEHICLES A  B  C  D  E  F  G  H  I  J  K  L  M  N  O  P  Q  R  S  T  U  V  W  X  Y  Z                    HOME ABOUT CATEGORIES SITE MAP COPYRIGHT ADVERTISE CONTACT entire Web this site Mercury-Atlas An Atlas D missile adapted to carry a manned Mercury capsule. The engine thrusts were exactly the same as the operational Atlas D, with only the flight profile altered to carry the Mercury capsule into orbit and certain safety features introduced to protect the astronauts. Amazingly, without its launch escape tower, the entire Mercury-Atlas would have fit inside the payload bay of the Space Shuttle. Total length 25.0 m Core diameter 3.1 m Liftoff mass 116,100 kg Payload to 185-km low Earth orbit 1,360 kg Total thrust      boosters (2) 1,600,000 N each    sustainer 280,000 N    verniers (2) 8,800 N each Related category    • ROCKETS, MISSILES, AND LAUNCH VEHICLES Also on this site: Encyclopedia of Alternative Energy & Sustainable Living Encyclopedia of History Transport Concepts & Designs (partner site) BACK TO TOP