THIS DAY IN HISTORY: Launch of Freedom 7 From Cape

In May and July 1961, NASA successfully launched Alan Shepard in his Freedom 7 spacecraft and Gus Grissom in Liberty Bell 7 into sub-orbital flights each lasting about fifteen minutes. Glenn’s mission would be NASA’s first attempt at full orbital space flight. Once again, cloud cover over Cape Canaveral initially delayed the launch. Freedom 7 | StarDate Online LAUNCH CONTROL: 3, 2, 1, zero. Ignition. Liftoff. SHEPARD: Roger, liftoff, and the clock has started. 50 years ago today, Shepard became the first American in space. His Mercury capsule, named Freedom 7, remained aloft for just 15 minutes, and splashed down just 300 miles from Cape Canaveral. ANNOUNCER: It just hit the water a moment ago. Launch - 21Wilberforce Global Freedom Center Launch and Inaugural Virtual Event INVISIBLE PEOPLE: The Coronavirus Impact on Millions Persecuted for Their Faith and Beliefs Monday, May 4, 2020 | 6:30-7:45PM CT FREE TO ATTEND During this unprecedented time, we pray that you and the rest of the 21Wilberforce community are healthy and safe. We see how the coronavirus has affected our communities, church gatherings Amazon.com: Freedom 7 Mercury Redstone Launch 11x14 Silver

Launch of the Freedom 7 Mercury spacecraft on May 5, 1961, carrying Alan B. Shepard, in which he became the first U.S. astronaut to go into space. ID #: S61-01908

Launch | 50th Anniversary of the Friendship 7 Flight In May and July 1961, NASA successfully launched Alan Shepard in his Freedom 7 spacecraft and Gus Grissom in Liberty Bell 7 into sub-orbital flights each lasting about fifteen minutes. Glenn’s mission would be NASA’s first attempt at full orbital space flight. Once again, cloud cover over Cape Canaveral initially delayed the launch.

Freedom 7’s mission was a milestone along the course charted by President Kennedy to make the United States number one in the world in space exploration. Three weeks after this capsule safely splashed down in the Atlantic Ocean, President Kennedy announced to the nation the goal of landing a man on the moon and returning him safely to earth

VIDEO: Watch Alan Shepard Pilot Freedom 7 from Launch to After Freedom 7, Shepard would not fly again until Apollo 14 in 1971. He and Slayton ran the Astronaut Office throughout the Gemini and Apollo programs after both were grounded (Slayton with an irregular heartbeat, Shepard with Minear's Disease). Above all, Shepard was a pilot's pilot. Launch of Freedom 7 | Launch of Freedom 7, the first Launch of Freedom 7, the first American human suborbital space flight. Astronaut Alan Shepard aboard, the Mercury-Redstone (MR-3) rocket is launched from Pad 5. Image Number: 61C-0883 Date: May 5, 1961 Katherine Johnson, Hidden Figures, and John Glenn’s Flight