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View of the spacecraft's periscope objective cartridge, extended through the periscope door opening.

Picture 4 of 4.

The Mercury spacecraft had a periscope to allow the astronaut to make observations via a display assembly near the center of the control panel. The periscope could be extended while the spacecraft and launch vehicle were still on the pad, after the spacecraft separated from the launch vehicle during flight, and below 10,000 feet during reentry, where it remained extended throughout impact.

All of the manned Mercury spacecraft other than Faith 7 had a periscope; the periscope was removed for that flight to reduce spacecraft weight in order to support the 34-hour flight, which required extra batteries and oxygen tanks.