dsc72153.jpg

A model of a Mercury-Atlas.

Of course, Grissom never rode atop an Atlas booster; the museum displays one for completeness. The accompanying sign reads

Mercury-Atlas

Two types of rockets were used for Project Mercury. The first two manned flights (Shepard, Grissom) used a Redstone rocket. The next four flights used Atlas rockets (silver model) to achieve orbit. Both rocket types were adapted from military missiles.