NASA's decision to rename its crewed space-flight project to Project Mercury marked a significant shift in the United States' approach to human space exploration. This rebranding came at a time when the Cold War was intensifying, and the space race between the United States and the Soviet Union was in full swing. Originally, the project had various code names, but the final name was inspired by the Roman messenger god, symbolizing speed and communication—traits that NASA hoped to embody in its missions. The name change was part of a broader strategy to capture public interest and support for the space program. Project Mercury would be the first phase of the United States’ human spaceflight program, focusing on orbital flight and the safety of astronauts. Key objectives included developing the necessary technology to launch, orbit, and recover humans safely from space. Public demonstrations of success, such as manned flights, were crucial for sustaining national morale during a period of heightened tensions with the Soviet Union, particularly after their launch of Sputnik and the first human in space, Yuri Gagarin. The Project Mercury program ultimately solidified the foundation for the United States’ future achievements in space exploration.