Space History Photo: Project Mercury: AWT Gimbaling Rig Showing Motion

This simulator, originally known as the MASTIF, was built at the Lewis Research Center. CREDIT: William Bowles. View full size image

In this historical photo from the U.S. space agency, this device, formally known as the MASTIF or Multiple Axis Space Test Inertia Facility, is located in the Altitude Wind Tunnel. Pictured here in December of 1959, it was built at the Lewis Research Center, now John H. Glenn Research Center, and designed to train astronauts to regain control of a tumbling spacecraft. This sure looks like fun, huh?

Each weekday, SPACE.com looks back at the history of spaceflight through photos (archive).