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Alan Shepard: The First Man In Space

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From the first telescope to the first steps on the moon, NASA has so much to be proud of. It all started in early 1958, when NASA launched the first American craft to orbit moon. After they had their first accomplishment, they started to launch crafts that were aimed at the moon. In December 1958, NASA started working on a project that would send men to space known as Project Mercury. In the beginning of Project Mercury, NASA launched 13 spacecrafts into space. 6 failed due to trouble in the rockets. 3 of them carried animals in them,(2 rhesus monkeys (Sam and Miss Sam) and 1 chimpanzee (Ham)), and they all returned safely back. When these flights were tested, NASA was ready to launch manned flights. While testing more flights, NASA searched for men who would be America’s first …show more content…
COMDR. ALAN SHEPARD LT. COMDR. JOHN GLENN They were soon put to training to fly. Lt. Comdr. Alan Shepard was told he would fly on May 2, 1961. During this time, the Soviet Union had yet to launch a man into space. Shepard hoped that he would be able to fly as soon as possible to win the title of being the First Man in Space. Sadly the Soviet Union launches Yuri Gagarin before Alan Shepard had a chance. On May 5th, 1961, Alan Shepard was launched into space in Freedom 7. It was a success! The next accomplishment is Friendship 7, which was a ship that was set to orbit the Earth. John Glenn became the first American to orbit the Earth. He circled Earth 3 times. After John Glenn, NASA placed three more astronauts in space. In the first one, Malcolm Scott Carpenter completed 3 orbits. The second one, flown by Walter “Wally” Schirra circled the Earth six times, before splashing into the Pacific Ocean. The last one was the longest attempted flight by Project Mercury. Leroy Gordon Cooper orbited the Earth 22 times in Faith 7. At 4:18 P.M., Cape Kennedy time, on Sunday, July 20, 1969, mankind took their first steps on the moon. “The Eagle has landed,” radioed Neil

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