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Naval History and Heritage Command

Mercury Space Program, Blast-Off from Cape Canaveral with Astronaut in Space Capsule

A rocket blasting off from the launch pad
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Description: Painting, Watercolor and Charcoal on Paper; by Robert J. Benson; 1963; Unframed Dimensions 23H X 18W
Accession #: 88-170-AI
Related Content

The Mercury space program began in 1958 with the purpose of putting a man in orbit around the earth. On 5 May, 1961 CDR Alan Shepard became the first American in space, a trip lasting 15 minutes and 28 seconds. 

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