Pararescue swimmers drop from a helicopter to help Schirra exit the floating spacecraft. Schirra radioed his preference to be towed to the nearby USS Kearsarge instead.
Hoisting Sigma 7 aboard the USS Kearsarge
Bringing the capsule on deck
Five minutes after coming aboard, Schirra blew Sigma’s explosive hatch to exit the capsule
NASA officials help Schirra out of his spacesuit before doctors perform a medical exam
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Distributed by the Manned Spacecraft Center Public Affairs Office, this footage documents the reentry and recovery of Sigma 7, the Mercury-Atlas 8 spacecraft, on October 3, 1962. Launched earlier that day, Mercury-Atlas 8 was NASA’s third orbital mission. Pilot Wally Schirra orbited the Earth six times, confirming the durability of the Mercury capsule. Sigma 7 splashed down in the Pacific Ocean just 4.5 miles from the target point. The USS Kearsarge, a Navy aircraft carrier, hoisted the capsule on deck 40 minutes later. Schirra remained aboard the carrier for three days for mission debriefing and medical testing.
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