Everything you never knew you wanted to know about the Mercury Project
Major structural assemblies
From RixWiki
This article is organized like the Major Structural Assemblies section of the Mercury Familiarization Manual SEDR-104 except that the descriptions of the variations for the test capsules have been incorporated into the relevant sections.
Contents |
Capsule Structure
Forebody
From the December 1959 edition of SEDR-104 Capsule 2, Capsule 3, and Capsule 4 did not have an impact landing bag These capsules had the landing bag bolted directly to the heat shield attach ring.
Afterbody
The afterbody enclosed the Crew cabin inside a pressure vessel. The inner pressure vessel was of two-ply construction with a smooth inner layer, and a beaded outer skin. Stringers separated the outer skin of the pressure vessel from the outer beaded shingles.
Entrance Hatch
From the December 1959 edition of SEDR-104 Capsule 2, Capsule 3, and Capsule 4 can only be removed externally. Hatch removal is accomplished by removing the attach bolts that secure the hatch to the capsule. Hatch sealing is similar to the specification capsule. The entrance hatch stringers are interlocked (bolted) with the capsule stringers, when the capsule is bolted in place.
Observation Window
From the December 1959 edition of SEDR-104 Capsule 2, Capsule 3, and Capsule 4 contain two windows, but do not contain an observation window. One window is located on the upper left side as viewed from the capsule crew member station, to permit Astronaut's exterior viewing. Located in the lower right side of the capsule is a window that enables the photographing of the earth and sky during capsule flight. A camera is internally located adjacent to this window. The main cabin window consists of four glass panes sealed in a titanium frsme attached to the cabin wall. The glass panes are spaced and independently sealed to provide a pressure seal between the panes. The outer cabin window consists of a glass pane sealed in a titanium frame that is attached to the capsule outer skin. The outer pane conforms to the curvature of a capsule conical section. The outer three glass panes are sealed with a wire mesh type seal and the two inner panes are sealed with silicone type seals. The windows are equipped with adjustable shades to enable the Astronaut to completely close off external light.
Small Pressure Bulkhead
Large Pressure Bulkhead
Antenna Fairing
From the December 1959 edition of SEDR-104 Capsule 2, Capsule 3, and Capsule 4 antenna fairing destabilizing flaps are smaller and of a different shape thau the specification capsule. The antenna fairings also house a drogue chute, that stabilizes the capsules during landing phase. The drogue chute is automatically deployed from the antenna fairing when the capsule has descended to 42,000 feet altitude.
