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00/99 38495

PROJECT MERCURY

MERCURY- ATLAS MISSION NO.

^(Capsule No. 8)

NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION

Space Task Group

[NASA Mail Sec. ,» !rtl ^.
Langley Field, Va.
April 17, 1961 i

• •: -.:T.ON

f>r. YO

-TIOAl COPT VD
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 TEST OBJECTIVES AND SYSTEM PRIORITIES

Test objectives for MA- 3.- The test objectives for this mission are
concerned with the Mercury capsule systems, the Atlas booster, the
Mercury network, and capsule recovery. Since this mission will be
the first Mercury-Atlas launch along the Mercury network, it will
be used to demonstrate and evaluate the capability of the Mercury
network to perform the intended flight control and data collection
functions and to evaluate the procedures used in performing the
flight control functions.

First-order test objectives. -

Capsule. -

(1) Demonstrate the integrity of the Mercury capsule

structure, ablation shield, and afterbody shingles for a
normal reentry.

(2) Evaluate the performance of the Mercury capsule

systems for the entire flight.

(3) Determine the capsule motions during a normal

reentry.

Determine the Mercury capsule vibration environment

during flight.

(5) Demonstrate the compatibility of the Mercury capsule

escape systems with the Mercury- Atlas systems.

Booster. -

(1) Determine the ability of the Atlas booster to

release the Mercury capsule at the free-flight insertion
conditions defined by the guidance equations.

(2) Evaluate the closed- loop performance of the Abort

Sensing and Implementation System.

(3) Evaluate the aerodynamic loading, vibrational

characteristics, and structural integrity of the Atlas LO
boil- off valve, tank dome, capsule adapter, and associated
structures.
 - 2-
Network.-

(1) Demonstrate the proper operation of the ground command

control equipment.

(2) Evaluate the performance of the equipment and the

operational procedures used in establishing the launch trajectory
and "booster cutoff conditions and in predicting landing points.

(3) Evaluate the ground communications network and pro-

cedures.

(k) Evaluate the performance of the network acquisition

aids, the radar tracking system, and the associated operational
procedures.

(5) Evaluate the telemetry receiving system performance

and the telemetry displays.

Recovery.- Evaluate the capsule recovery operations, as to the

equipment and procedures used for communications and for
locating and recovering the capsule, for a landing in the
Atlantic Ocean along the Mercury network.

Second-order test objectives.-

Booster.-

(1) Obtain data on the repeatability of the performance

of all Atlas missile and ground systems.

(2) Determine the magnitude of the sustainer/vernier

residual thrust after cutoff.

Network.- Evaluate and develop applicable Mercury network

countdown and operational procedures.

Third-order test objectives.-

Booster.- Evaluate the Mercury-Atlas vehicle with regard to

engine start and potential causes for combustion instability.
 - 3-
TABLE I.- TIME OF EVENTS FOR THE NOEMAL FLIGHT PLAN.

Event
- minrsec
Lift-off 00:00
Booster engine cutoff 02:11
Booster engine separation 02: I**
Tower jettison 02:31*-
Sustainer engine cutoff 05:03
Capsule separation 05:OU
Retrorocket firing initiated 89:12.5
Backup by ground command
Retrograde package jettison 90:12.5
Reentry begins (0.05g) 97:12.5
Maximum heating
Maximum dynamic pressure and longitudinal acceleration 101:15
Drogue chute deployed 103:07.6
Main chute deployed 10^:5^.8
Impact 110:^5.7
 TABLE II.- MAJOR TRAJECTORY PARAMETERS FOR THE MA-3 CAPSULE.

876 Ib/sq. ft Maximum dynamic pressure during exit; occurs

at t = 01:00
Maximum acceleration during exit
Maximum deceleration during reentry
? nautical miles Maximum altitude
31.94° N. Latitude \ T . . .,
Impact P
60.63° W. Longitude ) °int
 - 5-
TABLE III.- NOMINAL WEIGHTS FOR THE MA-3 CAPSULE.

3,680 Ibs Gross veight at lift-off (includes adapter

and escape tower)
2,659 Ibs Capsule weight after separation from Atlas
2,388 Xbs Capsule weight at start of entry
2,128 Ibs . Capsule flotation weight
 - 6-
TABLE IV.- DEPLOYMENT OF RECOVERY SHIPS AND AIRCRAFT

Station A/C Ships Latitude Longitude

f1 ARS 28°31' 80°15'

i 1 DD 29°52' . 7lf058'
•^^i
1 2 DD 31° W 68°36'
H
0}
<, 1 P2V 29°54' 78°l8'
J 1
2 P2V 30°47 ' 73°05'
29°15' 75°26'
i
30°20'' 70°10 '

f3 DD 32°07' 62°35'
h DD 31°it-5' 58°^l '
5 DD 3l°^5' 53°^'
6 DD 32°32' 46°58'
CV) ; LSD 3l°56' 60°35'
0)
0) } i P5M..: 3i°5l' 65°28'
^ P5M . 3l°50' 62°08'
2 ' P5M 32°22' 6l°09'
P5M : 32°02' 59°06-
!
^l WV 32°53' 50°30'
OJ
'"7 DD 32°10- XQ i|A '

1 \2 WV 32°17' "ZQ IjQ *

'8 DD 31°15' 33°06'

1oS
\3
.
w
3l°23' 33°06'.
25o^8'
ITN
•'9 DD po R!^ *
(U ( r\ o
'4 WV 30°10 25 48'
flO DD 27°17' l6°00'
0}
(U
\ 3 P2V 27°l8'. l6°5l'
l
v. 1^ P2V 27°15' 15°08'
Ran ge Ship 20°00' 4o°oo-
 AERODYNAMIC SPIKE
ESCAEE ROCKET

ESCAPE TOWER

CAPSULE-BOOSTER ADAPTER

LIQUID OXYGEN TANK

PRESSURIZATION HUB

EQUIPMENT POD

LIQUID OXYGEN LINE

FAIRING

Figure I.-
Mercury-Atlas Capsule-booster Configuration
.OO.HriDCMTHM.

HEAT SHIELD
RETENTION S T R A P S (3)
(RETROGRADE PACKAGE)\
RETROGRADE PACKAGE
RETROGRADE ROCKETS
(THREE) FUNCTION
TO IMPART A VELOCITY
DECREMENT TO THE CAPSULE
OF 500 FT SEC (FIRED AT APOGEE)
TOTAL IMPULSE (EACH ROCKET)
12,960 LB SEC
FUEL CONSUMED (3 ROCKETS) 140 LBS
TOTAL BURNING TIME (EACH ROCKET)
•IS SEC
LENGTH OF OVERALL CAPSULE CONFIGURATION
24.5 FEET
THREE EQUALLY SPACED NOZZLES CANTED TO
\ DIRECT THE ESCAPE ROCKET BLAST OUTWARD
\ AND AWAY PROM THE TOWER AND CAPSULE.
RgCOVgRV COMPARTMENT
.(MAIN AND RESERVE CHUTE)
ESCAPE ROCKET (ONE)
.FUNCTION TO PROVIDE CAPSULE ESCAPE FROM
THE VICINITY OF THE BOOSTER IN THE EVENT OF
(HOUSES DROGUE CHUTE AN EMERGENCY DURING PRELAUNCH OR BOOSTER FLIGHT.
AND -HORIZON SCANNERS) TOTAL IMPULSE: se.soo ua.SEC.
• FUEL CONSUMED: 293 LBS.
.TOTAL BURNING TIME! I.Z SEC
CLAMP RING
AIRINO
ANTE N NA HOU31 NG .
HEAT SHI ELD ~y \ BALLAST (173 LBS.)
FOR AERODYNAMIC STABILITY
15
f AJE ROD «TMAMI<7 SptfCS
ESCAPE TOWER
(TUBULAR STEEL)
CAPSULE—TOWER' CLAMP
RING (THR^jE .EXPLOSIVE
V^ \_PVL
FUNCTION :
(TRIPLE NOZZLE)
TO C A R R Y A W A Y THE TOWBR AFTER
ANY ABORT PROCEDURE IN WHICH THE ESCAPE
BOLTS) -../. •. : - .-• —• .,v.; ROCKET IS USED.
TOTAL IMPULSE: lias La.SEC.
FUEL CONSUMED: 3.3 LBS.
TOTAL BURNING TIME! 1.3 SEC.
P33IGRAOE ROCKETS (THREE)
FUNCTION TO IMPART A SEPARATION
VELOCITY OF 32 FT SEC TO THE CAPSULE
TOTAL IMPULSE ALO~NG BODY A X I S
INCLUDING POP GUN EFFECT (THREE .
ROCKETS) Z6S2 LBS
FUEL CONSUMED 6 LBS
TOTAL BURNING TIME T.Z SEC
FIGURE 2. CAPSULE'CONFIGURATION
 NOTE: ASTRONAUT IS SHOWN TO INDICATE SCALE AND
RELATIVE LOCATIONS OF EQUIPMENT. FOR
UNMANNED MISSIOHS+ ASTRONAUTS SPACE IS
OCCUPIED BY SPECIAL INSTRUMENTATION, AND
CREW SIMULATOR OR CHIMPANZEE COUCH.

FIGURE 3.~ GENERAL INTERIOR ARRANGEMENT OF CAPSULE

v 1. Fire booster, sustainer, and vernier engines.
2. Booster engine cuts off and separates upon GE guidance command.
Twenty seconds after booster engine separation (staging) fire
tower ring separation bolts.
At tower ring separation, escape and tower jettison rockets
fire to jettison tower. Landing system is armed.
Atlas is steered, by ground guidance.
6. Sustainer and vernier engines cut off upon GE guidance ground
command. Fire capsule adapter separation bolts.
After longitudinal acceleration drops to 0.20g, fire posigrade
rockets.
After 5 seconds of damping capsule rotates 180 and assumes
retroattitude of 3^°.
Retrorockets fire by ground command backed up by satellite clock
Sixty seconds after retrofire, retrorocket package is jettisoned
and capsule assumes reentry attitude. ;
At 0.05g damper mode and roll rate initiated.
Drogue parachute is deployed after reentry to stabilize capsule.
At 10,000 feet, drogue chute and antenna fairing are jettisoned
and main -chute is deployed.
At impact, main chute is disconnected, and pilot chute and
reserve chute are ejected. Recovery aids are deployed.

Figure k.- General Sequence of Events Planned for this mission.

 <§>

UPON RECEIPT OF ABORT SIGNAL. . .

I, SHUT OFF BOOSTER, FIRE CAPSULE ADAPTER BOLTS.
2. FIRE ESCAPE ROCKET
3. SENSE CAPSULE ADAPTER SEPARATION.
JETTISON RETROPACKAGE, AND
JETTISON RETROROCKET UMBILICALS.
MAXIMUM ALTITUDE SENSOR RUNS OUT,
FIRE TOWER SEPARATION BOLTS.
SENSE TOWER RING SEPARATION,
JETTISON TOWER AND COMMAND RATE DAMPING.
6. RATE DAMPING STOPS AT CHUTE DEPLOYMENT

FIGURE 5,- GENERAL SEQUENCE OF EVENTS THAT WOULD OCCUR IF FLIGHT SHOULD BE ABORTED
BEFORE CAPSULE ESCAPE TOWER IS JETTISONED.
 COMMUNICATION STATIONS
LATITUDE LONGITUDE
(DEGREES) (DEOREESI

CAPE CANAVERAL 28.46N 80.56W

BERMUDA 32.33N 64. TOW
MID ATLANTIC SHIP 28.DON 40.00W
NORTHWEST AFBICA 27.75N 15.60W
SOUTHWEST AFRICA 11.97N 8. 47E
SOUTHEAST AFRICA 6-19S 38.32E
INDIAN OCEAN SHIP 28.40S 73.70E
WEST AUSTRALIA 31.62S 115.87E
WOOMERA, AUSTRALIA 30.18S 136.94E
CANTON ISLAND . 2.79S 171. 67W
HAWAII • ' 22.16N 159. 63W
SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA 34. 58N 120.58W
WEST MEXICO , 27.97N 110.78W
WHITE SANDS 32.40N 106.33W
SOUTH TEXAS 27.65N 97. SOW

(approximately 1,056 nautical miles east of launch site)

Figure 6.- MA-3 earth track showing communication stations and event locations.
 Atlas engines will not
shut down in this period

Range Safety Officer

A}iS I S

Test Conductor or ] by RF Link

NASA Control Center]

Test Conductor by-

Atlas Umbilical
Test Conductor
by Capsule
Umbilical

I I
Abort T-45 0 T+30 SECO
Arming
Figure 7.- Ways of i n i t i a t i n g abort,
 SENSORS

•aej.,<l°/eeo Yaa Rata - Prlamry

Abort, *.00(t.l5)V*ax

«o«..<l°/eec Voltage ®sj iapaule •

Taw Rata - Saoondary
Abort, 4.T5(»,23)°/eeo
•allure Relay i1 •
8 i DC.
Pitch Rata - Prlaary
Abort, t.OO(*.15)Veeo S Heyday
U Relaye
eo-.,<l°/eao H • ' • , - .
Abort, 4.75(J.ZS)Vaao Pitch Rata - eacondary
U
®v lioaula
1 •ultafa N,
*».. 2°/aao II Generator 28V f •allure Ralay 121 •
Abort, e.40(t.30)°/aw Roll Rata - Prlaary .. DC| .,
a
1
. . 1 i Mth ralaya euat looa
•oak, 2°/aao
Abort, ».40(t.40)°/aao Roll Rata - Saooodary
u . 1 ' ^ power to Initiate abort
N Any em rate aeneor .Booatar iCapeule
oan Initiate abort '

etae., UVMOvolte
Abort, 80(tlO)Yolta
How... 23.7 to 26oala at L.O.
Abort, Z1.5(t.50)pala pre-
atago valua
11.0(1.50) poat-ataga
A-C Voltage T
S
A-C Voltage , Both eenaora for any (T).(?l- Interface connection!, loae
given function mat WW of conlwot|0n el!.'- cut power
give abort elgnal to- (28VDC) to oorreaponlllnB
Initiate abort oataetrbphlo failure relay
LOX lank Praaaura
LOX Tank Praaaura

'LOX/Fuol Praaaura
Differential
»o». , 5 paid or graatar
Abort, 2.5(1.50) paid Attitude Rate Abort Valuee Vary Ilth Frequenoy
LOX/Fuol Praaaura
Differential Aa Shown Below -
*°l II I" 1 ' 1 '-' ' '•"I"J-|V"J
1111 -ir^-grigfcjNrr^V Nl
7
Booatar Fual Injaotlon
Praaaura - - -± r- i. $KiKI\ ^ i '
Ham., SSO(*23) pala ir*-§l||laa - 55 £ 5 "? U
S " :

Abort, 470(110) pala 30

Booatar Fual Injaotlon 8 psBS?if iv*: ,Ti: 'K t S v S S * 1:" 1: ^
Praaaure ° in -6 ? E ? 3 -••-<
f 2 S -^ « f (- lisp'
Suatalnar Fual
Injection Praaaura f M
|S|pS| ||p|||^Hi
| ||||b|^jl^ 5S S J , rrlnarvji
Hon., 025(125) pala 3 1 3 S J 3 ; csssxr.
Abort, 960(110) pala 1
Suatalnar Fual
Injaotlon Preaaura
I
Ina^ffliSc^^^^^fft
l^^^w?p5PTTTrrnl'l*8llhonatrv
* Yt*t jj;
;
Suatalnar Hydraulic
Praaaura
Hon. , 3200 pa 1 a BIlaigMffl™ "'"' 1 i 1 I" 1 *° Jj
Abort, 2000(140) pala 0 12 3 4 5
Suatalnar Hydraulic Frequenoy, opa
Praaaura

Figure 8.- BLOCK DIAGRAM OF ABORT SENSING AND IMPLEMENTATION SYSTEM.

MA-3 CAPSULE LANDIBG D I S P E R S I O N AREA

PB.03ABCi.irr OF
WITHIN G I V E N E L L I P S E

DISPERSION . DOWNRANGE CROSSRAIIGE

N.M. N.M.

WEST LONGITUDE

Figureq. • - MA-3 capsule landing are* dispersion.