Mercury MR-4 Liberty Bell 7

Artifact — Date: 2023 | Photo by: Chris Griffith

After its sub-orbitial flight, Liberty Bell 7 sank in the Atlantic Ocean. The capsule was recovered from the ocean floor in 1999. Sea corrosion is visible on forward section, but otherwise capsule held up very well. Paint survived not only reentry but the long stay on the ocean floor. Part of "UNITED STATES" is visible on either side of entry hatch. "LIBERTY BELL 7" can be seen below (left) of the window, along with the famous 'crack'. The Landing bag is deployed and heat shield missing (not recovered).

Type: Mercury
Kind: Flight Vehicle
Flight: Liberty Bell-7 (MR-4)
Location: Kansas Cosmosphere and Space Center, Hutchinson, Kansas