Everything you never knew you wanted to know about the Mercury Project
November 1961 edition of SEDR-104
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Foreword Text
Here is the exact text of of the foreword from this edition of SEDR-104, I've added links as appropriate.
The purpose of this document is to present a clear, operational description of the various capsule systems and major components. Two types of usage for the manual are visualized. The first is an orientation-indoctrination type document. The second use is as a reference document containing relatively detailed Information on all systems and components.
The manual is divided by capsule systems. The first part of each section is devoted to the description and operation of "specification compliance capsule" system. Capsules numbered 18 and 19 are the specification compliance capsule. They are manned orbital capsules and are representative of the Mercury Program. Immediately following the specification compliance system coverage is the Test Configuration Capsule Coverage. This area compares the other capsules to the specification compliance capsule or to a prior capsule. The capsules are compared on a, "like specification compliance capsule except as follows" bases. The Test Configuration Capsules are compared to the specification compliance: capsule system or to any other preceding capsule depending on which reference causes the least duplication. The reader will not be required to refer to more than two prior capsules systems including the specification system. Separate information is provided for each capsule test configuration, when the information is the same for each capsule it will not be repeated. All capsules will be covered in this manual for one revision after the particular capsule has been launched successfully. After that date they will be dropped from future issues.
Capsules numbered 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 11 and 14 are covered in the 1 February 1961 issue of SEDR 104 revised August 1961. Capsules numbered 12, 15, 17 and 20 have been assigned an eighteen orbit mission and will be covered in a latter publication.
All capsule configurations are not finalized as of this printing, additional information will appear in subsequent revisions to this document, reflecting changes as they are incorporated in the capsule.
Coverage
The November 15, 1959 edition of the Mercury Familiarization Manual SEDR-104 provided specifications for the following capsules:
Specification Capsules
Test Capsules
The Test Capsules had specific differences from the specification capsule called out.
Excluded Capsules
In addition the folowing capsules were called out as having been assigned to 18 orbit missions. They were not otherwise specified in this edition.
Note that Capsule #20 had previously been considered a specification capsule in the December 1959 edition of SEDR-104
Section by Section
Section I Introduction
Section II Major Structural Assemblies
Comments on this edition relevant to the Major structural assemblies
Section III Environmental Control System
Comments on this edition relevant to the Environmental control system
Section IV Stabilization Control System
Comments on this edition relevant to the Stabilization control system
Section V Sequence System, Launch Through Retrograde or Abort
Comments on this edition relevant to the Sequence system, launch through retrograde or abort
Section VI Escape and Jettison Rocket Systems
Comments on this edition relevant to the Escape and jettison rocket systems
Section VII Posigrade Rocket System
Comments on this edition relevant to the Posigrade rocket system
Section VIII Retrograde Rocket System
Comments on this edition relevant to the Retrograde rocket system
Section IX Sequence System, Landing Through Recovery
Comments on this edition relevant to the Sequence system, landing through recovery
Section X Electrical Power and Interior Lighting Systems
Comments on this edition relevant to the Electrical power and interior lighting systems
Section XI Communication System
Comments on this edition relevant to the Communication system
Section XII Navigational Aids
Comments on this edition relevant to the Navigational aids
Section XIII Instrumentation System
Comments on this edition relevant to the Instrumentation system
