Project Mercury
Mercury-Atlas 8 (Sigma 7)
Vehicle: SM-65D Atlas | Launch Site: Pacific Ocean
Mission Overview
Mercury-Atlas 8 (Sigma 7) was a critical step in America's path to the stars. Wally Schirra's six-orbit engineering flight, establishing exceptional fuel conservation. The mission demonstrated the engineering capability of the Mercury capsule, designed by McDonnell Aircraft, and built critical experience in tracking, ground control, and capsule recovery in the Atlantic Ocean. This flight contributed to the data required to validate launch vehicle performance and human survivability in extreme environments.
Flight Crew & Officers
Multimedia Gallery
Official NASA historical record photography for Mercury-Atlas 8 (Sigma 7).