MR-3 - INSIDE THE PILOT'S CABIN

CAPE CANAVERAL, FLA. - The pilot's cabin of the MR-3 spacecraft contains many items of equipment.

Instrument Panel - Instruments are located on a main instrument panel, a left console, and a right console. The main panel is directly in front of the pilot. Navigational instruments are located in the left and center sections of the panel and the periscope is located in the center. The right section of the main panel is composed of environmental system indicators and controls, electrical switches, and indicators and communication system controls. The left console includes sequencing telelights and warning panel, indicators and controls for the spacecraft's automatic pilot (ASCS), environmental control and landing systems. All told there are well over 100 lights, fuses, switches and miscellaneous controls and displays.

Pilot Support Couch - The astronaut's couch is constricted of a crushable honeycomb material bonded to a fiberglass shell and lined with a rubber padding. Each astronaut has a couch contoured to his specific shape. The couch is designed to support the pilot's body loads during all phases of the flight and to protect him from the acceleration forces of launch and reentry.

Restraint System - The pilot restraint system; which consists of shoulder and chest straps, leg straps, a crotch strap, lap belt and toe guards, is designed to restrain the astronaut in the couch during maximum deceleration.

Environmental Control System - The environmental control system provides the MR-3 spacecraft cabin and the astronaut with a 100-percent oxygen environment to furnish breathing, ventilation, and pressurized gas required during the flight. The system is completely automatic, but in the event the automatic control malfunctions, manual controls can be used.

The system consists of two individual control circuits, namely the cabin circuit and the suit circuit, which will normally operate for about 28 hours. Both systems are operated simultaneously. The suit circuit is simply isolated from the cabin circuit by the astronaut closing the faceplate on his helmet. Unless there is a failure in the cabin circuit causing loss of pressure, the pilot's pressure suit will not be inflated.

Aeromedical Information - Throughout the flight the physical wellbeing of the pilot will be monitored. The pilot's respiration rate and depth, electrocardiogram, and body temperature will be telemetered to flight surgeons on the ground.

Pilot Communications - The astronaut may remain in touch with the ground through the use of high-frequency and ultra-high-frequency radios, radar recovery beacons, and if the situation dictates, a command receiver and/or a telegraph-type code key.

Main Battery System - Three 3,000watt-hour batteries and one 1,500 watt-hour battery are connected in parallel to provide power for the complete mission and about a 16 hour post-landing period. A standby backup power system of 1,500 watt-hour capacity is also provided. To further insure reliable operation of the pyrotechnic system, each device has a completely isolated power feed system.

Cameras - A 16mm camera is installed to the left of the astronaut's head to photograph the instrument panel display from launch through recovery. A pilot observer camera is mounted in the main instrument panel and will also be operated from launch through recovery.

Clock - There will be a clock in the MR-3 spacecraft with three major separate operational components, (1) a standard aircraft-type elapsed time clock, (2) a "seconds from launch" digital indicator with a manual reset, and (3) a time delay relay which is to indicate the retrograde fire sequence. When the preset time has passed, the relay closes and actuates the retrograde fire signal, at the same time sending a telemetered signal to the ground.

Altimeter - The Mercury barometer altimeter is a single revolution indicator with a range from sea level to 100,000 feet. The dial face will have reference marks at the drogue and main parachute deployment altitudes.

At the top right corner of the main panel are located environmental displays, providing the pilot with readings of cabin pressure, temperature, humidity, and oxygen quantity remaining.

Food, Water, and Waste Storage - As with all manned capsules, the MR-3 will be supplied with about 3,000 calories of non residue food and about 6 pounds of water. The water supply, which is sufficient for at least 28 hours, is contained in two flat bottles, each fitted with an extendable tube. A container for liquid waste is located near the entrance hatch.

Survival Equipment - A survival kit on the left side of the pilot's couch will contain a personal parachute which may be used as a third parachute backup for use in an extreme emergency. The survival package will also consist of a one-man life raft, desalting kit, shark repellant, dye markers, first aid kit, distress signals, a signal mirror, portable radio, survival ration, matches, a whistle, and 10 feet of nylon cord. Although not expected to be needed in Redstone flights it is the same kit as carried in the orbital flights where contingencies might arise which require use.

For obvious reasons, it is not possible in this paper to include a detailed breakdown of all onboard systems and displays. Information contained in this paper is for the sole purpose of equipping newsmen with a general understanding of the type and functions of major Mercury spacecraft equipment. More detailed information on Mercury flight systems may be obtained by writing: The National Aeronautics and Space Administration, Project Mercury Public Affairs Office, Space Task Group, Langley Field, Virginia.