Corona in Queens in Queens County, New York — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Mercury - Atlas D
New York Hall of Science
Photographed By Craig Baker, May 29, 2022
1. Mercury - Atlas D Marker
Mission
The Atlas intercontinental ballistic missile was the largest available rocket for the Mercury program, which was designed to put a human into orbit at the earliest possible date. The relatively small payload of the Atlas dictated cramped quarters for the Mercury capsule. Unlike most liquid propellant rockets, Atlas is not a hollow tube with interior tanks. The outside is the tank, making Atlas literally a flying tank with engines.
This is a real Atlas rocket. The Mercury capsule is an exact-size replica. A real Mercury capsule is on display inside.
Vital Statistics
Stages: 2 (Outer engines drop off in flight; center engine and tank structure continue into orbit).
Total weight: 260,000 pounds.
Payload to orbit: 3,000 pounds.
Propellants: Kerosene and Liquid oxygen.
photo captions:
Launch of Friendship 7 atop an Atlas rocket, February 20, 1962. Inside is John Glenn, about to become the first American to orbit the Earth.
John Glenn in front of his Mercury capsule, which he named Friendship 7.
Erected 2004 by New York Hall of Science; and New York City.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Air & Space
this page online
Location. 40° 44.877′ N, 73° 51.141′ W. Marker is in Queens, New York, in Queens County. It is in Corona. Marker can be reached from 111th Street near 47th Avenue, on the left when traveling south. Located at the New York Hall of Science children’s museum, admission required. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 47-01 111th St, Corona NY 11368, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. The 1964-65 New York World's Fair (a few steps from this marker); Rocket Park (a few steps from this marker); Man on the Moon / Rocket History (a few steps from this marker); Gemini Titan II (within shouting distance of this marker); Lunar Golf (within shouting distance of this marker); Flushing Meadows Corona Park (about 700 feet away, measured in a direct line); What's Amazing about this Aviary? (approx. 0.2 miles away); Monk Parakeet (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Queens.
Regarding Mercury - Atlas D. These rockets were a highlight of the 1964-65 New York World’s Fair, which was held on this site.
Also see . . . New York Hall of Science. (Submitted on May 30, 2022.)
Additional commentary.
Photographed By Craig Baker, May 29, 2022
2. Mercury - Atlas D and Marker
The marker is at lower left.
1. Inside the Museum
Growing up in Los Angeles in the 1960s, I often visited the Mathematica exhibit, which influenced my life and my career. Today, at their new home, many exhibits are broken because of frequent use, just like they were 60 years ago.
— Submitted May 30, 2022, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California.
Photographed By Craig Baker, May 29, 2022
3. New York World’s Fair - 1964
This photo is on a nearby interpretive sign.
Photographed By Craig Baker, May 29, 2022
4. Mercury Capsule
During museum repairs after flooding by Hurricane Ida.
Photographed By Craig Baker, May 29, 2022
5. Mathematica exhibit
Originally created in 1961 by designers Charles and Ray Eames for the Museum of Science and Industry in Los Angeles.
Credits. This page was last revised on January 31, 2023. It was originally submitted on May 30, 2022, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. This page has been viewed 234 times since then and 67 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on May 30, 2022, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California.
