This cast-molded pressurized resin scale model of the Mercury-Redstone Launch Vehicle (MRLV) rocket is 15 inches tall. It comes in 1:72 scale, is rendered in fine detail, and includes a base. All parts of the replica are rendered to the scale of its real-life counterpart, adding to its authenticity. Recommended for Ages 14+ The Mercury-Redstone Launch Vehicle (MRLV) was the first crewed launch vehicle in the United States space program. It was derived from the U.S. Army's ballistic missile. Designed to better understand the performance aspects of the Mercury spacecraft, it was also used to study the effects of weightlessness on astronauts and took part in launch and recovery operations at Kennedy Space Center. During its two-year career, it made six sub-orbital flights as part of the Mercury mission, from 1960-1961. Originally unmanned, it went on to carry Ham the chimpanzee and ultimately culminated in the launch of the first American in space (Alan Shepard), and 11 weeks later, the second American (Gus Grissom) in space.