Multi-stage Rocket

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The Human is a multi-stage rocket that was designed to be the first manned spacecraft to reach orbit and return safely to Earth. The craft consisted of four major stages: the launch vehicle, the spacecraft, the recovery vehicle, and the service module. The launch vehicle was powered by a cluster of 10 F-1 engines, each producing over 1 million pounds of thrust at liftoff. This gave the Human an initial impulse of 6.4 million pounds-force, making it one of the most powerful rockets ever built. As the launch vehicle rose into space, it shed its first stage and ignited its second stage engine, which propelled the spacecraft to an altitude of over 100 miles. The third stage then fired, propelling the spacecraft to a speed of over 17,000 miles per hour. The recovery vehicle, also known as the Service Module, was responsible for recovering the astronauts after re-entry into Earth's atmosphere. It contained a large heat shield and a drogue parachute to slow down the spacecraft before it splashed down in the ocean. The service module was also equipped with a pressurized cabin, life support systems, and communication equipment to keep the astronauts safe during their journey. The Human's crew compartment was designed to withstand extreme temperatures and pressures, ensuring the astronauts' safety throughout the mission. On October 31, 1961, NASA launched the first Human into space, carrying astronaut Gus Grissom on a suborbital flight. Although the mission ended in tragedy when the rocket exploded just seconds after launch, it paved the way for future manned spaceflight missions. In total, five Human rockets were built between 1959 and 1963, with three of them reaching orbit successfully. The program was canceled due to funding constraints and technical difficulties, but its legacy lives on as a pioneering effort in human space exploration.