MERCURY JOE Inside

The best photo spot is best done by remote

Can you blow this up for a better look?

This was a big model with a successful launch. The rocket drifted gracefully on three parachutes, crossing the daytime moon in the sky.

From XPRS 2005

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Comments

Victor1 says:

What a true 'blast from the past'....

Steve: is 'Major' TomA on Flickr? His glider idea would be a space shuttle replica of sorts.

Get him signed up! Lets gang up on him.
Posted 46 months ago. ( permalink )

jurvetson says:

Click on "All Sizes" above the photo for a closer look.

You're right. Toma has the best photos!
Posted 46 months ago. ( permalink )

Victor1 says:

Its a Mercury-Redstone copy. Apollo had a cone shaped capsule, this had a kind of 'snoot' to it where the chutes were stored. I remember seeing this as a kid on my GAF viewmaster stereo slides of the 'amazing space program'. Oops, now everyone knows I'm 62 years old...

Mercury-Redstone 2 Space Capsule - 1961

"The Mercury capsule being loaded onto the Redstone rocket. Photo courtesy of NASA.
...the flight of this craft tested the rocket, the capsule and the ability to work in space and return safely, in preparation for the first American astronaut's journey into space. Mercury-Redstone 2 carried a chimpanzee named Ham and helped to confirm that humans could safely make the trip"

<

This model has the 'emergency rocket' on top - the red thing - which would remove the capsule from the rocket in case the launch went bad. what a beautiful model!
Posted 46 months ago. ( permalink )

jurvetson says:

Of course! And "Mercury Joe" was the GI Joe figure with parachute inside. Remember how he "got a little soft" from a prior crash landing, but rallied back for another launch.... =) I'll change the title.

Hey, is your photo the real one? The takeoff looks totally lame compared to the fiery launch of the 12' version in the desert....

P.S. The Chimp hot seat is hanging in Buck's!

Posted 46 months ago. ( permalink )

TheAlieness GiselaGiardino²³ says:

Gi... Gemmini... Mercury... How can rocketry be so related to me?!

@-S
Posted 46 months ago. ( permalink )

toma1 says:

OK. So you twisted my arm. I am signed up. I am looking through photo's now, and when I get time, I will upload some of mine. To coin a phrase....

"They're real... and they're spectacular"
Posted 46 months ago. ( permalink )

Victor1 says:

Ground Control to Major TOMA1 !!!! Joining the club in record time! Way to go.

Welcome aboard.... "take your protein pills and put your helmet on..."
Posted 46 months ago. ( permalink )

Victor1 says:

Yes Steve, I took that photo. I asked Nasa to use a different mixture so as not to make so much smoke and potentially harm my 3 year old lungs..

Hey, how about a shot of the chimp seat at bucks?

You're right - the model is more dramatic.
Posted 46 months ago. ( permalink )

jurvetson says:

Major Toma has the boss photos!

Uncle Vic: click on the monkey image in my comment above, and you'll see the full size Buck's installation....
Posted 46 months ago. ( permalink )

jurvetson says:

Hey, Mercury Joe is a national hero. He has his own website:
www.mercuryjoe.com
with launch photos and video. Check out the top video link.... with soundtrack and several camera angles.... (the one labeled "Flight 3a launch from setup to touch down")
Posted 46 months ago. ( permalink )

Lead_Hammer says:

The Gemini comment is valid if you look real close at the capsule. I intentionally used the recessed window from Gemini so that the tower video camera would include the Astronaut's face in the shot. (Plus I like the look)

MercuryJoe.com needs some updating, I’ve got SO much material from previous launches that should be included, it’s just all a matter of personal bandwidth.

Also, there has been a discussion about moving on to “Gemini Joe” but that poses some interesting challenges to say the least like size and the fact that the Titan II doesn’t have fins.

As for being a National Hero, it sure seems he's grown quite the following. Hasbro wants to feature the project at next year's GI Joe convention. (actually they wanted it for this year but contacted me only days before the June launch)
Posted 46 months ago. ( permalink )

Victor1 says:

Well you get the price for best looking rocket from me! Way cool.

Your website (see link in Jurvetson's comment) is so great. EVERYONE: DONT MISS THIS IF YOU HAVEN'T BOTHERED TO CLICK THE LINK!!!! I didn't realize a real G.I. Joe was in there. Did you include TANG?

When's the space shuttle coming?!
Posted 46 months ago. ( permalink )

Lead_Hammer says:

Thanks! It has been a fun project to fly for sure.

Had to have the GI Joe in there, adds to the drama.

The MJ Redstone booster is designed to take a cluster of 5 motors, I think next year I'll start flying it that way - more smoke is always fun. :)

We don't include Tang but DO include M&Ms (ala Space Ship One) and often I'll share them with my ground crew after a launch.
Posted 46 months ago. ( permalink )

jurvetson says:

Yes... but don't forget Biggie:
mo motors mo problems

Hey Vic, TANG is a farce....

Posted 46 months ago. ( permalink )

Victor1 says:

NOW its a farce, but back in Mercury Joe days, it was...as cool as today's double-decaf-half-assed-latte-with-a-twist. But I was 9 years old too...

Then again, putting a zippy spin on products based purely on sugar seems to have taken over the American diet!

TANG was a way to out-cool cool-aid. Actually, its STILL cool, what are you talking about? I just had some last time I ate breakfast... which was 4 decades ago.
Posted 46 months ago. ( permalink )

Capital I says:

Very cool. Thanks for sharing.
Posted 42 months ago. ( permalink )

borealnz says:

Interesting, thanks for sharing this.
The World Through My Eyes
Posted 37 months ago. ( permalink )

jurvetson says:

Jamie posted a very cool video of the Mercury Joe story, with a summary of the launches that led up to this successful one at XPRS 2005.
Posted 37 months ago. ( permalink )

BenODen says:

That's one cool story. I didn't count the total destructions, but it's something like 4. What determination! You go lead hammer!
Posted 35 months ago. ( permalink )

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MERCURY JOE Inside

Comments

Victor1 says:

jurvetson says:

Victor1 says:

jurvetson says:

TheAlieness GiselaGiardino²³ says:

toma1 says:

Victor1 says:

Victor1 says:

jurvetson says:

jurvetson says:

Lead_Hammer says:

Victor1 says:

Lead_Hammer says:

jurvetson says:

Victor1 says:

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