Object Details
Summary
Astronauts in Project Mercury, the first U.S. human spaceflight program, experienced very strong "g" forces during acceleration into space and deceleration during reentry--up to 11 times Earth's gravity. To better withstand these forces, each astronaut had special form-fitted couches made for their bodies. John H. Glenn, Jr., the first American to orbit the Earth, used this couch in the Mercury Procedures Trainer, the first simulator in the U.S. human spaceflight program.
To create this couch, a NASA contractor made a plaster cast of the astronaut's body in a sitting position, then used the form to make the couch out of fiberglass. NASA transferred this artifact to the Smithsonian in 1968.
Alternate Name
John Glenn Training Couch
Credit Line
Transferred from the National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Inventory Number
A19680293000
Restrictions & Rights
Usage conditions apply
Type
EQUIPMENT-Survival
Materials
Fiberglas, metal
Dimensions
Approximate: 2 ft. 1 in. deep x 5 ft. 7 in. long x 2 ft. wide (63.5 x 170.18 x 60.96cm)
Country of Origin
United States of America
See more items in
National Air and Space Museum Collection
Location
Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center in Chantilly, VA
Exhibit Station
Human Spaceflight
Data Source
National Air and Space Museum
Link to Original Record
Record ID
nasm_A19680293000