A stunning view of the Mercury Redstone 4 rocket taking off from Cape Canaveral’s Launch Complex 5 carrying Gus Grissom on board the Liberty 7 capsule. The launch was originally scheduled for July 18, 1961 but was rescheduled to July 19, 1961 because of unfavorable weather conditions. The launch attempt on July 19, 1961 was canceled at T-10 minutes as a result of continued unfavorable weather. The launch was then rescheduled for July 21, 1961. From lift-off to re-entry, operational sequences were similar to those of the first manned suborbital flight and Grissom’s flight experience was similar to Shepard’s in that there was a five minute period of weightlessness. The main configuration differences from the MR-3 spacecraft was the addition of a large viewing window and an explosively actuated side hatch. During the flight, the spacecraft attained a maximum velocity of 8,270 km/hour and an altitude of 189 km. The duration of flight was 15 minutes and 37 seconds. (https://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/nmc/spacecraftDisplay.do?id=MERCR4)

From the mission transcript during liftoff:

000:00:01 Capcom (Mission Control): Lift-off. 000:00:03 Grissom: Ah, Roger. This is Liberty Bell 7. The clock is operating. 000:00:08 Capcom: Loud and clear, Jose, don’t cry too much. 000:00:11 Grissom: Oke-doke. 000:00:18 Grissom: Ok, it’s a nice ride up to now. 000:00:20 Capcom: Loud and clear. 000:00:21.5 Grissom: Roger. 000:00:28 Grissom: OK. The fuel is go; about 1.5 g’s; cabin pressure is just coming off the peg; the O2 is go; we have 26 amps. 000:00:36 Capcom: Roger. Pitch [attitude] 88 [degrees], the trajectory is good. 000:00:39: Grissom: Roger, looks good here.