The Mercury project continues with the launch of the Sigma 7 and 5th American astronaut Walter M.Schirra. The nine hour flight is twice as long as John Glenn's and extends Man's flight time in space. NASA mission details are below.

Crew: Walter M. Schirra, Jr.

Milestones: n/a

Payload: Spacecraft No. 16, Launch Vehicle 113-D 

Mission Objective:  Man-machine in orbit for 9 hours

Orbit:
Altitude: 175.8 by 100 statute miles 
Orbits: 6 
Period: 88min 55sec 
Duration: 0 Days, 9 hours, 13 min, 11 seconds 
Distance: 143,983 statute miles 
Velocity: 17,558 
Max Q: 964 
Max G: 8.1 

Launch:   October 3, 1962 

Mission Highlights:  Mission successful. Total time weightless 8 hours 56min 22 sec.

Click here to learn more about the Mercury project and its other missions