Pressure Suit, Mercury, Grissom, "Liberty Bell 7", Flown

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Display Status:

This object is not on display at the National Air and Space Museum. It is either on loan or in storage.

Collection Item Summary:

This spacesuit was worn by Virgil "Gus" Grissom during the second flight of a U.S. astronaut. The flight took place on July 24, 1961, and lasted for approximately fifteen minutes. The only significant problem arose at the conclusion of the mission when, after parachuting into the Atlantic ocean, the spacecraft hatch blew open, and Liberty Bell 7 sank.

The spacesuit was developed by the B.F. Goodrich Company from the U.S. Navy Mark IV full pressure suit, and was selected by NASA in 1959 for use in Project Mercury.

Transferred from NASA in 2003.

Collection Item Long Description:

Data Source

National Air and Space Museum

Restrictions & Rights

Do not reproduce without permission from the Smithsonian Institution, National Air and Space Museum

Manufacturer

Astronaut

Credit Line

Transferred from NASA Johnson Space Center

Materials

  • Overall Exterior: Aluminized nylon, nylon webbing, brass, steel, aluminium
  • Overall Interior: Rubber/neoprene, steel wire

Dimensions

Approximate: 5 ft. 5 in. long x 1 ft. 11 in. wide x 6 in. deep (165.1 x 58.42 x 15.24cm)

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Country of Origin

United States of America

Type

PERSONAL EQUIPMENT-Pressure Suits

Inventory Number

A20030178000

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