Mercury Capsule Restoration Project for Education
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Mercury Capsule Restoration Project for Educational Outreach
TECHNOLOGY – EDUCATION – AND YOU
This project will restore an original Mercury capsule mock-up built specifically for educational outreach. Acquired through auction this capsule was tucked away in private storage until now. My mission is to bring this historical treasure directly to educational institutions that may otherwise not have the budget to take students to a place that may have something similar. My Mercury capsule Restoration Project website https://www.mercurycapsule.net/ explains more.
This capsule was one of only three produced for educational purposes by McDonnel Aircraft (now Boeing) in 1962 and the last one of its kind in existence to my knowledge. It was further displayed at the 1964-65 World’s Fair until I acquired it through auction after many years in private storage.
As a young boy interested in science and engineering I was inspired by anything and everything that had to do with space exploration. I held my breath along with the rest of the world as Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin walked on the moon in 1969. The technology that got us to the moon and back safely was nothing short of amazing.
I want to ignite that same excitement and passion in a new generation of space pioneers as they explore and seek their own path in Science, Technology, Art and design, Engineering and Math. This project will further preserve the legacy of the pioneering men and women who launched us on the greatest adventure of mankind.
This is a unique part of history and inspirational for STEM education as well as outreach related to science and engineering. My plan is to restore the capsule using the original instrument panels, and create an interactive experience for students to engage in history, STEM, societal topics and other discussions. It may also pair well with some NASA or other curricular resources. I have a four phase plan (see video). My goal is to transport the capsule to interested schools for science and engineering outreach which would include students interacting with the capsule to better understand aerospace related concepts and then participate in STEM activities. In sum, I want to bring history to educational institutions that may otherwise not have the budget to take students to a place that may have something similar.
All of this takes resources and that's why I'm asking for your help.
Your financial support will restore this vital tool for learning and preserve the legacy of the pioneering men and women who launched us on the greatest adventure of mankind. Any donation, no matter how small, will help launch this project!
John Glen, America’s first Astronaut to orbit the Earth said “The most important thing we can do is to inspire young minds to advance in science, math and education. If we do so, youngsters will be the economic engines that propel America to a brighter future”.
Please help me to motivate our youth to pursue careers in Science, Technology, Engineering, Art & Design, and Math with the goal of inspiring children to reach for the stars in all they do!
The Project:
· Mount the restored capsule on a trailer and bring this historic part of the space program to you.
· Rebuild the instrument panel. The LEDs will interface with a software program which replicates portions of John Glenn's Friendship 7 mission.
· Synchronize the Friendship 7 flight sequence from liftoff to splashdown. Panel indicators will duplicate what John Glenn saw as he circled the globe at more than 17,000 miles per hour with the hopes and dreams of the nation riding on his shoulders.
· Introduce working instrumentation in all the gauges so they mimic the actual flight in geo-location, air speed and altitude.
Thank you for your support!
TECHNOLOGY – EDUCATION – AND YOU
This project will restore an original Mercury capsule mock-up built specifically for educational outreach. Acquired through auction this capsule was tucked away in private storage until now. My mission is to bring this historical treasure directly to educational institutions that may otherwise not have the budget to take students to a place that may have something similar. My Mercury capsule Restoration Project website https://www.mercurycapsule.net/ explains more.
This capsule was one of only three produced for educational purposes by McDonnel Aircraft (now Boeing) in 1962 and the last one of its kind in existence to my knowledge. It was further displayed at the 1964-65 World’s Fair until I acquired it through auction after many years in private storage.
As a young boy interested in science and engineering I was inspired by anything and everything that had to do with space exploration. I held my breath along with the rest of the world as Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin walked on the moon in 1969. The technology that got us to the moon and back safely was nothing short of amazing.
I want to ignite that same excitement and passion in a new generation of space pioneers as they explore and seek their own path in Science, Technology, Art and design, Engineering and Math. This project will further preserve the legacy of the pioneering men and women who launched us on the greatest adventure of mankind.
This is a unique part of history and inspirational for STEM education as well as outreach related to science and engineering. My plan is to restore the capsule using the original instrument panels, and create an interactive experience for students to engage in history, STEM, societal topics and other discussions. It may also pair well with some NASA or other curricular resources. I have a four phase plan (see video). My goal is to transport the capsule to interested schools for science and engineering outreach which would include students interacting with the capsule to better understand aerospace related concepts and then participate in STEM activities. In sum, I want to bring history to educational institutions that may otherwise not have the budget to take students to a place that may have something similar.
All of this takes resources and that's why I'm asking for your help.
Your financial support will restore this vital tool for learning and preserve the legacy of the pioneering men and women who launched us on the greatest adventure of mankind. Any donation, no matter how small, will help launch this project!
John Glen, America’s first Astronaut to orbit the Earth said “The most important thing we can do is to inspire young minds to advance in science, math and education. If we do so, youngsters will be the economic engines that propel America to a brighter future”.
Please help me to motivate our youth to pursue careers in Science, Technology, Engineering, Art & Design, and Math with the goal of inspiring children to reach for the stars in all they do!
The Project:
· Mount the restored capsule on a trailer and bring this historic part of the space program to you.
· Rebuild the instrument panel. The LEDs will interface with a software program which replicates portions of John Glenn's Friendship 7 mission.
· Synchronize the Friendship 7 flight sequence from liftoff to splashdown. Panel indicators will duplicate what John Glenn saw as he circled the globe at more than 17,000 miles per hour with the hopes and dreams of the nation riding on his shoulders.
· Introduce working instrumentation in all the gauges so they mimic the actual flight in geo-location, air speed and altitude.
Thank you for your support!
Organizer
Mark Calhoun
Organizer
Northampton Township, PA
