Brochure, "Exploring Space... Project Mercury," 1961

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration developed Project Mercury in 1958 to send a manned spacecraft into orbit. This brochure, published in early 1961, explained NASA's progress toward achieving that goal. Later, in May 1961, NASA would launch its first manned capsule. And in 1962, John Glenn orbited the Earth. Project Mercury ended in 1963 after six successful crewed missions.