PADSpace Launch Complex 14
SITECape Canaveral SFS, FL, USA →ORBITSuborbital
TYPETest Flight
PROGRAMMercury
MISSION OVERVIEW
Uncrewed test flight of the Mercury program. The launch proceeded normally until about T+20 seconds when the pitch and roll sequence failed to initiate and the vehicle instead just continued flying straight upward, requiring early termination of the flight.
LAUNCH DETAILS
VEHICLE
Atlas LV-3BMISSION
Mercury-Atlas 3
MISSION TYPE
Test Flight
TARGET ORBIT
Suborbital
LAUNCH PAD
Space Launch Complex 14LAUNCH SITE
Cape Canaveral SFS, FL, USAPROGRAM
Mercury
COUNTRY
USA
LAUNCH TIME VERIFICATION
CONFIRMEDPrecision: Minute
LAUNCH LIBRARY 2 PRIMARY
API ID: e1e4a144-47f8-489d-88ee-c41ae09cd0b7
Reported date: Apr 25, 1961 at 16:15 UTC
Last synced: 3 hours ago
This launch date and time are confirmed by the launch provider. Countdown is active.
LAUNCH MAP
PAD WEATHER
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MERCURY — MERCURY NO.8
8SERIAL
2FLIGHTS
SuborbitalDESTINATION
Single UseSTATUS
FLIGHT-PROVEN CAPSULE
Mercury No.8 is the Mercury capsule used for the Mercury-Atlas 3 and 4 missions.
VEHICLE — Atlas LV-3B →
MANUFACTURER
National Aeronautics and Space Administration
VARIANT
LV-3B
FLIGHTS
10
SUCCESSES
7
SUCCESS RATE
70%
The Atlas LV-3B, Atlas D Mercury Launch Vehicle or Mercury-Atlas Launch Vehicle, was a human-rated expendable launch system used as part of the United States Project Mercury to send astronauts into low Earth orbit. Manufactured by American aircraft manufacturing company Convair, it was derived from the SM-65D Atlas missile, and was a member of the Atlas family of rockets.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
When is the Atlas LV-3B | Mercury-Atlas 3 launch?
The Atlas LV-3B | Mercury-Atlas 3 is scheduled for Tuesday, April 25, 1961 at 4:15 PM UTC. This is the NET (No Earlier Than) time and may be subject to change. Current status: FAILURE.
What rocket is being used for Mercury-Atlas 3?
The Atlas LV-3B | Mercury-Atlas 3 mission uses the Atlas LV-3B rocket, manufactured by National Aeronautics and Space Administration. The Atlas LV-3B has flown 10 times with a 70% success rate.
Where is the Atlas LV-3B | Mercury-Atlas 3 launching from?
The launch takes place from Space Launch Complex 14 at Cape Canaveral SFS, FL, USA.
What orbit is Mercury-Atlas 3 going to?
The Mercury-Atlas 3 mission is targeting Suborbital.
Who is launching Mercury-Atlas 3?
The Atlas LV-3B | Mercury-Atlas 3 is operated by National Aeronautics and Space Administration. It is part of the Mercury program.
Can I watch the Atlas LV-3B | Mercury-Atlas 3 launch live?
Yes. Visit the launch detail page on Space Launch Live for embedded YouTube webcasts, replay videos, and links to live coverage from SpaceX, NASA, NASASpaceflight, and other channels.
LAUNCH TIMELINE
Mar 28, 2026 20:12 UTC
Launch added to tracker
Imported from Launch Library 2 API
Mar 28, 2026 20:12 UTC
Launch date set: Apr 25, 1961 at 16:15 UTC
NET (No Earlier Than) confirmed by National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Mar 28, 2026 20:12 UTC
Launch failure reported
Updated via Launch Library 2
LIVE DATA SOURCES
Last data sync: 3 hours ago
●Launch Library 23 hours ago
Launch ID: e1e4a144-47f8-489d-88ee-c41ae09cd0b7
●Open-Meteo Weather3 hours ago
Pad weather at 28.49, -80.55
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