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The extra 136 kilograms tipped the Atlas and cost Shepard's return
Alan Shepard stares at the capsule Freedom Seven-II, grounded by a decision - will a three-day mission ever lift off?
The extra 136 kilograms tipped the Atlas and cost Shepard's return
In this episode, the story follows the planning and cancellation of Mercury-Atlas Ten, showing how engineering limits, program momentum, and personal ambition collided. It asks whether a mission named and crewed before its hardware was proven could have flown - and what that cost the program.
Person: Alan Shepard
Event: Cancellation of Mercury-Atlas Ten
Spacecraft: Freedom Seven-II (Spacecraft 15B)
Booster…
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