Echoes Among the Stars: The Original Website
The First Era in Space, 1957-1975
Mercury: Liberty Bell 7
July 21, 1961
The Second Mercury Makes a Point
Virgil I. “Gus” Grissom was America’s second astronaut in space. His launch aboard the “Liberty Bell 7” Mercury capsule on July 21, 1961 proved that the Mercury program could safely send astronauts into space, if even for a brief stay, on a regular basis. NASA photo.
The Perilous Journey of Liberty Bell 7
Following a successful flight, the hatch of Liberty Bell 7 opened unexpectedly, causing water to rush into the cabin, sinking the capsule and nearly drowning Grissom. Thankfully, recovery crews were able to pull the astronaut to safety in the nick of time. The capsule lay at the bottom of the Atlantic Ocean for nearly 38 years, until it was raised on July 20, 1999. NASA photo.
A Close Call
Gus Grissom smiles after surviving the sinking of his Mercury capsule. His close call reminded the American public, the other astronauts, and all those involved in the space program that the journey into space was fraught with danger at every point in the process, from spacecraft design and testing to the very instant when crew members were recovered after the flight. NASA photo.
