Alan Shepard
Alan Shepard (November 18, 1923 - July 21, 1998)[2] was an American astronaut. He was the first American to travel into space. He was born in East Derry, New Hampshire.[2] He received a Bachelor of Science at Naval Academy in 1944, graduated at Naval Testpilot School in 1951 and he earned a Master of Arts at the Naval War College in 1957.
Alan Shepard | |
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| Born | Alan Bartlett Shepard Jr. November 18, 1923 Derry, New Hampshire, U.S. |
| Died | July 21, 1998 (aged 74) Pebble Beach, California, U.S. |
| Cause of death | Leukemia |
| Nationality | American |
| Alma mater |
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| Occupation | |
| Spouse(s) | Louise (m. 1945; died 1998) |
| Children |
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| Parents |
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| Awards | |
| Space career | |
| NASA astronaut | |
| Rank |  Rear Admiral, USN |
Time in space | 9 days 57 minutes |
Total EVAs | 2 |
Total EVA time | 9 hours 23 minutes |
| Missions | MR-3, Apollo 14 |
Mission insignia |   |
| Retirement | August 1, 1974 |
On May 5, 1961, Shepard flew into space in the Mercury spacecraft. This was powered by a Redstone rocket.[2]
He made another space flight as spacecraft commander (person in charge) of Apollo 14. This was the third trip to land astronauts on the moon. The trip lasted from January 31 - February 9, 1971.[2] At the age of 47, he was the oldest person to ever walk on the Moon.
Personal life
In April 5, 1945, Shepard married with Louise.[3] They also had three children.
Shepard suffered with leukemia in 1996 and died on July 21, 1998 in Pebble Beach, California. His wife died from a heart attack on August 25, 1998.
Alan Shepard Media
USS Cogswell in 1945
Shepard as a student aviator in 1946
Shepard's 105th F4U sortie on USS Franklin D. Roosevelt
The Mercury Seven astronauts with a USAF F-106. From left to right: Scott Carpenter, Gordon Cooper, John Glenn, Gus Grissom, Wally Schirra, Alan B. Shepard and Deke Slayton.
Shepard in the Freedom 7 capsule before launch
Shepard and his wife Louise meet First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy, President John F. Kennedy and Vice President Lyndon B. Johnson at the South Portico of the White House, prior to his receiving the NASA Distinguished Service Medal on 8 May 1961.
The crew of Apollo 14: Edgar Mitchell, Shepard and Stuart Roosa
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References
- ↑ Burgess, Colin (2014). Freedom 7: The Historic Flight of Alan B. Shepard Jr. Springer-Praxis books in space exploration. New York; London: Springer. ISBN 978-3-319-01155-4. OCLC 902685533.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 "Astronaut Bio: Alan B.Shepard". Lyndon B.Johnson Space Center, NASA. Retrieved 2008-12-06.
- ↑ Thompson, Neal (2004). Light This Candle: The Life & Times of Alan Shepard, America's First Spaceman (1st ed.). New York: Crown Publishers. ISBN 0-609-61001-5. LCCN 2003015688. OCLC 52631310.
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