The capsule contains a small memorial to
Wally Shirra, the first person to go into space three times and the only astronaut to fly in the Mercury, Gemini and Apollo programs. He was one of the original seven Mercury astronauts chosen from among 110 selected test pilots in 1959. For his achievements in the U.S. space program he has been awarded the Navy Distinguished Service Medal, three Distinguished Flying Crosses, three Air Medals, two NASA Distinguished Service Medals, the NASA Exceptional Service Medal and the Philippines Legion of Honor. As well, he has been awarded honorary doctorates by several institutions of higher learning.
Also within the capsule are a full sized replica of the Montana State University's Hiscock Radiation Belt Explorer, a small satellite which was launched October 8, 2011, not to return to earth for 10 or more years. As well, the capsule contains several "Space rocks", meteorites which have fallen to earth as much as 50,000 years ago.
WALTER MARTY SCHIRRA, JR.
(March 12, 1923 — May 3, 2007)
For 22 years, Wally Schirra wore this name tag as a member of the Charlie Russell Riders, a group of men who meet each fall in Montana, and on several occasions he visited the Museum of the Rockies. The shell casings are from the 21-gun salute during his memorial service at Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery on May 22. 2007.
Wally Schirra was an American test pilot, United States Navy officer, and one of the original Mercury Seven astronauts chosen for the Project Mercury, America's effort to put humans in space. He is the only person to fly in all of America's first three space programs (Mercury, Gemini and Apollo). He logged a total of 295 hours and 15 minutes in space. Schirra was the fifth American and the ninth human to ride a rocket into space. He was the first person to go into space three times. He was a 1946 graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy. The Charlie Russell Riders Foundation has generously supported the Museum of the Rockies for many years.
From a plaque in the capsule