Dr. Cal Fowler Presenting Wally Schirra with Launch Key
Dublin Core
Title
Dr. Cal Fowler Presenting Wally Schirra with Launch Key
Alternative Title
Dr. Fowler Presenting Schirra with Launch Key
Subject
Cape Canaveral (Fla.)
Cape Canaveral Air Force Station (Fla.)
National Aeronautics and Space Administration (U.S.)
NASA
Atlas (Missile)
Astronauts--United States
Project Mercury (U.S.)
Description
Dr. Cal Fowler (1929-2013), on the left, presenting the launch key to astronaut Wally Schirra (1923-2007) Dr. Fowler, the Launch Conductor at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station (CCAFS)'s Launch Complex 14 (LC-14) in Cape Canaveral, Florida, used the key to launch Schirra's spacecraft, Sigma 7, into orbit on October 3, 1962. Mercury-Atlas 8 (MA-8) was the fifth manned space mission and was launched as part of Project Mercury.
General Dynamics Astronautics, the firm which conducted the launch, had the key gold-plated and engraved with the following message: "Wally Schirra (1923-2007), MA-8 Orbital Launch, 10-3-62 7:15 a.m." The opposite side of the key stated: "Atlas, Launch Console Arming Key, Mercury Sigma 7, General Dynamics Astronautics."
General Dynamics Astronautics, the firm which conducted the launch, had the key gold-plated and engraved with the following message: "Wally Schirra (1923-2007), MA-8 Orbital Launch, 10-3-62 7:15 a.m." The opposite side of the key stated: "Atlas, Launch Console Arming Key, Mercury Sigma 7, General Dynamics Astronautics."
Source
Original black and white photographic print, 1962: Private Collection of Dr. Calvin D. Fowler.
Date Created
ca. 1962
Is Format Of
Digital reproduction of original black and white photographic print, 1962.
Is Part Of
Dr. Calvin Fowler Collection, Florida Space Coast History Collection, RICHES of Central Florida.
References
"Schirra Presented with Launch Key from Atlas Crew." RICHES of Central Florida.
Format
image/jpg
Extent
177 KB
Medium
1 black and white photographic print
Type
Still Image
Coverage
Cape Canaveral Air Force Station Launch Complex 14, Cape Canaveral, Florida
Accrual Method
Donation
Mediator
History Teacher
Civics/Government Teacher
Geography Teacher
Provenance
Originally owned by Dr. Calvin D. Fowler.
Rights Holder
Copyright to this resource is held by Dr. Calvin D. Fowler and is provided here by RICHES of Central Florida for educational purposes only.
Contributing Project
Curator
Michlowitz, Robert
Cepero, Laura
Digital Collection
External Reference
"Mercury Atlas 8." National Space Science Data Center, National Aeronautics and Space Administration. http://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/nmc/spacecraftDisplay.do?id=1962-052A.
Still Image Item Type Metadata
Original Format
1 black and white photographic print
Collection
Citation
“Dr. Cal Fowler Presenting Wally Schirra with Launch Key,” RICHES, accessed October 31, 2025, https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/omeka/items/show/6394.