Foto de stock - 1980 - Post launch flight characteristics - This multiple exposure photograph shows a 32 per cent scale model of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration's Project Mercury man-in-space capsule during recant wind tunnel tests at the U.S Air Force's Arnold Engineering Development Center. Model, with escape tower attached, was mounted on a movable support in the 16-foot transonic test section of the Propulsion Wind Tunnel. Various flight attitudes were simulated by tilting the support and determining the stability of the capsule under various trajectory conditions. Tests at the Center, part of the USAF's Air Research and Development Command, were made 0.5 to 1.5. The escape tower supports a solid propellent rocket motor designed to lift the capsule from its booster rocket in the event of a malfunction during launch. Upon reaching a safe altitude, the tower separates from the capsule and a parachute lowers the capsule and its astronaut pilot to safety. Please Credit: 'Official U.S Air force Photo. (Credit Image: © Keystone Pictures USA/ZUMAPRESS.com)