NASA's Project Mercury: The Race for Space

NASA initiated Project Mercury to compete with Russian space achievements. The project involved selecting and training seven military pilots as astronauts. The Mercury capsule was developed to be controlled from the ground, with astronauts having limited control. Safety systems were innovated due to rocket unreliability. After several unmanned launches, Alan Shepard's suborbital flight was followed by John Glenn's successful orbital flight, completing Project Mercury.

What was the primary goal of NASA's Project Mercury?

• To develop a new type of rocket

• To explore the moon

• To be the first nation to put a man into orbit

• To create a space station

What was a key characteristic of the astronauts selected for Project Mercury?

• They were all scientists

• They were all civilians

• They were all military pilots

• They were all engineers

How were the functions of the Mercury capsule primarily controlled?

• By the astronauts

• By remote pilots

• By mission control on the ground

• By automated systems

What safety feature was developed to protect the Mercury capsule during launch?

• A reinforced hull

• A parachute system

• An escape tower

• A heat shield

Who was the first American astronaut to orbit the Earth?

• John Glenn

• Buzz Aldrin

• Neil Armstrong

• Alan Shepard