Project Mercury

Definition

Project Mercury was the first human spaceflight program of the United States, running from 1958 through 1963. Its goal was to put a man into Earth's orbit and return him safely.

Analogy

Think of Project Mercury as the first level in a video game. It's where you learn the basics and get your bearings before moving on to more complex levels. Just like in a game, this project laid the groundwork for all subsequent U.S. space exploration.

Related terms

Sputnik: This was the first artificial satellite launched by the Soviet Union in 1957, which sparked competition with the U.S., leading to Project Mercury.

NASA (National Aeronautics and Space Administration): The U.S. government agency responsible for civilian space exploration and research, including Project Mercury.

Space Race: The competition between Cold War rivals, specifically the United States and Soviet Union, for dominance in spaceflight capability, which included projects like Mercury.