Mercury-Atlas 8, also known as MA-8, was a significant space mission in the Mercury program conducted by NASA. Launched on November 29, 1964, it was the third crewed flight of the Mercury spacecraft and aimed to gather data on human spaceflight and orbital operations. The mission was piloted by astronaut Walter M. Schirra Jr., who completed six orbits around the Earth. The flight lasted approximately 9 hours and 13 minutes, providing valuable insights into the effects of space travel on the human body and contributing to the development of future missions, including the Gemini program.