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Photograph of Alan Shepard before Being Placed inside the Mercury Capsule for a Flight Simulation Test Run

Photograph of Alan Shepard before Being Placed inside the Mercury Caps...

Original caption: A closeup of Astronaut, Alan Shepard, in space suit, seated inside Mercury Capsule. He is undergoing a flight simulation test with the Capsule mated to the Redstone Booster. The first attemp... More

Photograph of John Glenn Seating inside the Mercury Capsule during a Flight Simulation Test

Photograph of John Glenn Seating inside the Mercury Capsule during a F...

Original caption: Astronaut, John Glenn, in space suit seated in Mercury Capsule, is undergoing a flight simulation test. The first attempt to put a man into space by the U.S. aboard a Mercury Capsule will be ... More

Mercury Project, NASA Mercury project

Mercury Project, NASA Mercury project

This photograph depicts installation of the Mercury capsule and escape system on top of a booster prior to test firing of the Mercury-Redstone launch vehicle at the Marshall Space Flight Center.

Big Joe launch vehicle after launching at Cape Canaveral

Big Joe launch vehicle after launching at Cape Canaveral

B59-00556 (9 Sept. 1959) --- U.S. Air Force photo of Big Joe launch vehicle after launching at Cape Canaveral, Florida, for a suborbital test of the Mercury capsule. The capsule was recovered successfully after... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- On Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida, invited guests tour the blockhouse at Complex 5/6 during a celebration of Alan Shepard's historic flight 50 years ago. From left are Robert Sieck, former shuttle launch director; Andy Anderson, former manager for communications in the Mercury Mission Control Center; Bob Moser, former chief test conductor for the Mercury-Redstone launches; and John Twigg, former backup chief test conductor for the Mercury-Redstone launches. The celebration was held at the launch site of the first U.S. manned spaceflight May 5, 1961, to mark the 50th anniversary of the flight. Fifty years ago, astronaut Alan Shepard lifted off inside the Mercury capsule, "Freedom 7," atop an 82-foot-tall Mercury-Redstone rocket at 9:34 a.m. EST, sending him on a remarkably successful, 15-minute suborbital flight. The event was attended by more than 200 workers from the original Mercury program and included a re-creation of Shepard's flight and recovery, as well as a tribute to his contributions as a moonwalker on the Apollo 14 lunar mission. For more information, visit www.nasa.gov/topics/history/milestones/index.html. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett KSC-2011-3333

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- On Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida...

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- On Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida, invited guests tour the blockhouse at Complex 5/6 during a celebration of Alan Shepard's historic flight 50 years ago. From left are Rober... More

Shepard Hoisted from Mercury Capsule

Shepard Hoisted from Mercury Capsule

A U.S. Marine helicopter recovery team hoists astronaut Alan Shepard from his Mercury spacecraft after a successful flight and splashdown in the Atlantic Ocean. On May 5th 1961, Alan B. Shepard Jr. became the f... More

LITTLE JOE 5A - CAPSULE 14. NASA public domain image colelction.

LITTLE JOE 5A - CAPSULE 14. NASA public domain image colelction.

S61-01372 (21 Feb. 1961) --- Launch of the unmanned Mercury-Atlas 2 (MA-2) vehicle for a suborbital test flight of the Mercury capsule. The upper part of Atlas is stengthened by an eight-inch wide stainless ste... More

Alan Shepard, NASA Mercury project

Alan Shepard, NASA Mercury project

(April 29, 1961) A closeup of astronaut Alan Shepard in his space suit seated inside the Mercury capsule. He is undergoing a flight simulation test with the capsule mated to the Redstone booster...Image # : 61-10515

Photograph of Ham the Chimpanzee Reaching for an Apple after Landing Safely inside a Mercury Capsule

Photograph of Ham the Chimpanzee Reaching for an Apple after Landing S...

Original caption: Ham reaches out from his couch to take an apple from a crewman of the USS Donner. This was the first food for the chimpanzee following a 430 mile ride in a Mercury capsule launched by a Redsto... More

MERCURY-ATLAS (MA)-2 - LIFTOFF - CAPE

MERCURY-ATLAS (MA)-2 - LIFTOFF - CAPE

S61-01226 (21 Feb. 1961) --- Launch of the unmanned Mercury-Atlas 2 (MA-2) vehicle for a suborbital test flight of the Mercury capsule. The upper part of Atlas is stengthened by an eight-inch wide stainless ste... More

MERCURY CAPSULE - WATER EGRESS TRAINING

MERCURY CAPSULE - WATER EGRESS TRAINING

S61-03256 (13 Sept. 1961) --- Recovery of Mercury spacecraft at end of the Mercury-Atlas 4 (MA-4) mission. Notice the extended antenna on top of the capsule. Photo credit: NASA

Recovery of the Little Joe 5A spacecraft

Recovery of the Little Joe 5A spacecraft

S61-01398 (18 March 1961) --- View of the recovery of the Little Joe-5A spacecraft which lifted off on March 18, 1961 from Wallops Island. The photo was taken from the recovery helicopter and shows the craft's ... More

Mating of Little Joe 5B vehicle with Mercury Capsule #14

Mating of Little Joe 5B vehicle with Mercury Capsule #14

S61-01673 (23 April 1961) --- View of the mating of Little Joe-5B launch vehicle with Mercury capsule #14. Photo credit: NASA

Astronaut Alan Shepard on U.S. Champlain after recovery of Mercury capsule

Astronaut Alan Shepard on U.S. Champlain after recovery of Mercury cap...

S88-31380 (5 May 1961) --- Astronaut Alan B. Shepard Jr., strides across the deck of the U.S. Navy Carrier Champlain following an inspection of his Freedom 7 capsule. Shepard had just completed the first manne... More

View of Astronaut Alan Shepard inside the Freedom 7 capsule

View of Astronaut Alan Shepard inside the Freedom 7 capsule

S88-31374 (29 April 1961) --- A close-up of astronaut Alan B. Shepard Jr. in his space suit with his helmet on inside the Mercury capsule. He is undergoing a flight simulation test with the capsule mated to the... More

Astronaut Alan Shepard onboard helicopter after recovery of Mercury capsule

Astronaut Alan Shepard onboard helicopter after recovery of Mercury ca...

S88-31383 (5 May 1961) --- Astronaut Alan B. Shepard Jr., Mercury-Redstone 3 (MR-3) pilot, jokes with doctors while in-flight between the U.S. Navy Carrier Champlain and the Grand Bahama Islands. Shepard is the... More

Astronaut Alan Shepard - U.S.S. Champlain - Post-Recovery Mercury Capsule

Astronaut Alan Shepard - U.S.S. Champlain - Post-Recovery Mercury Caps...

S61-02727 (5 May 1961) --- Astronaut Alan B. Shepard is seen on the deck of the USS Lake Champlain after the recovery of his Mercury capsule in the western Atlantic Ocean. Shepard and the Mercury spacecraft des... More

Astronaut John Glenn inspecting interior of Mercury capsule

Astronaut John Glenn inspecting interior of Mercury capsule

S61-03744 (July 1961) --- Astronaut John H. Glenn Jr., backup astronaut for MR-4, inspects the interior of a Mercury spacecraft on Pad 5. He is reviewing material on the checklist he is holding against the cons... More

Astronaut John Glenn inspects decal for side of his Mercury capsule

Astronaut John Glenn inspects decal for side of his Mercury capsule

S64-14854 (20 Feb. 1962) --- Astronaut John H. Glenn Jr. and technicians inspect a decal ready for application to the side of his Mercury spacecraft prior to launch on Feb. 20, 1962. The decal reads "Friendship... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Astronaut John H. Glenn Jr. enters his Mercury capsule, "Friendship 7," as he prepares for launch of the Mercury-Atlas rocket. On February 20, 1962, Glenn lifted off into space aboard his Mercury Atlas 6 MA-6 rocket and became the first American to orbit the Earth. After orbiting the Earth 3 times, Friendship 7 landed in the Atlantic Ocean 4 hours, 55 minutes and 23 seconds later, just East of Grand Turk Island in the Bahamas. Glenn and his capsule were recovered by the Navy Destroyer Noa, 21 minutes after splashdown. Photo credit: NASA KSC-S63-01207

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Astronaut John H. Glenn Jr. enters his Mercury...

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Astronaut John H. Glenn Jr. enters his Mercury capsule, "Friendship 7," as he prepares for launch of the Mercury-Atlas rocket. On February 20, 1962, Glenn lifted off into space aboard hi... More

Closeup View - Astronaut John Glenn - Insertion - Mercury Capsule - Cape

Closeup View - Astronaut John Glenn - Insertion - Mercury Capsule - Ca...

S62-01004 (1962) --- Astronaut John H. Glenn Jr., pilot of the Mercury Atlas 6 (MA-6) mission, participates in Mercury egress training during MA-6 preflight preparations. Glenn made the free world's first mann... More

Ablation Test of Mercury Capsule ARC-1962-A-28917-3

Ablation Test of Mercury Capsule ARC-1962-A-28917-3

Ablation Test of Mercury Capsule Public domain photograph related to NASA research activity, space exploration, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description

Ablation Test of Mercury Capsule ARC-1962-A-28917-8

Ablation Test of Mercury Capsule ARC-1962-A-28917-8

Ablation Test of Mercury Capsule Public domain photograph of NASA rocket launch, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description

Before returning to the Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas, members of the STS-95 crew pose with a model of a Mercury capsule following a media briefing at the Kennedy Space Center Press Site Auditorium . From left to right are Payload Specialist Chiaki Mukai, with the National Space Development Agency of Japan (NASDA); Pilot Steven W. Lindsey; Mission Commander Curtis L. Brown Jr.; Friendship 7; Payload Specialist John H. Glenn Jr., a senator from Ohio and one of the original seven Project Mercury astronauts; Mission Specialist Scott E. Parazynski; and Mission Specialist Pedro Duque, with the European Space Agency (ESA). Also on the crew is Mission Specialist and Payload Commander Stephen K. Robinson (not shown). The STS-95 mission ended with landing at Kennedy Space Center's Shuttle Landing Facility at 12:04 p.m. EST on Nov. 7. The mission included research payloads such as the Spartan-201 solar-observing deployable spacecraft, the Hubble Space Telescope Orbital Systems Test Platform, the International Extreme Ultraviolet Hitchhiker, as well as a SPACEHAB single module with experiments on space flight and the aging process KSC-98pc1576

Before returning to the Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas, member...

Before returning to the Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas, members of the STS-95 crew pose with a model of a Mercury capsule following a media briefing at the Kennedy Space Center Press Site Auditorium . F... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Brevard County sixth-graders participate in the eighth annual Space Week at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex in Florida. Here, the students climb into a Mercury capsule in the complex's Rocket Garden. About 5,000 students will participate throughout the 11-day event, which contains fun space exploration activities designed to emphasize the importance of science, technology, engineering and math (STEM). Space Week is sponsored by NASA Education, Brevard Public Schools, Delaware North Companies Parks and Resorts, and the Florida Chapter of the National Space Club. Photo Credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett KSC-2010-5751

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Brevard County sixth-graders participate in th...

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Brevard County sixth-graders participate in the eighth annual Space Week at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex in Florida. Here, the students climb into a Mercury capsule in the co... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Invited guests attend a celebration at Complex 5/6 on Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida. The celebration was held at the launch site of the first U.S. manned spaceflight May 5, 1961, to mark the 50th anniversary of the flight. Fifty years ago, astronaut Alan Shepard lifted off inside the Mercury capsule, "Freedom 7," atop an 82-foot-tall Mercury-Redstone rocket at 9:34 a.m. EST, sending him on a remarkably successful, 15-minute suborbital flight. The event was attended by more than 200 workers from the original Mercury program and included a re-creation of Shepard's flight and recovery, as well as a tribute to his contributions as a moonwalker on the Apollo 14 lunar mission. For more information, visit www.nasa.gov/topics/history/milestones/index.html. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett KSC-2011-3316

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Invited guests attend a celebration at Complex...

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Invited guests attend a celebration at Complex 5/6 on Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida. The celebration was held at the launch site of the first U.S. manned spaceflight May... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Invited guests of all ages attend a celebration at Complex 5/6 on Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida. The celebration was held at the launch site of the first U.S. manned spaceflight May 5, 1961, to mark the 50th anniversary of the flight. Fifty years ago, astronaut Alan Shepard lifted off inside the Mercury capsule, "Freedom 7," atop an 82-foot-tall Mercury-Redstone rocket at 9:34 a.m. EST, sending him on a remarkably successful, 15-minute suborbital flight. The event was attended by more than 200 workers from the original Mercury program and included a re-creation of Shepard's flight and recovery, as well as a tribute to his contributions as a moonwalker on the Apollo 14 lunar mission. For more information, visit www.nasa.gov/topics/history/milestones/index.html. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett KSC-2011-3320

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Invited guests of all ages attend a celebratio...

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Invited guests of all ages attend a celebration at Complex 5/6 on Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida. The celebration was held at the launch site of the first U.S. manned sp... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Invited guests enjoy the program presented at a celebration at Complex 5/6 on Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida. The celebration was held at the launch site of the first U.S. manned spaceflight May 5, 1961, to mark the 50th anniversary of the flight. Fifty years ago, astronaut Alan Shepard lifted off inside the Mercury capsule, "Freedom 7," atop an 82-foot-tall Mercury-Redstone rocket at 9:34 a.m. EST, sending him on a remarkably successful, 15-minute suborbital flight. The event was attended by more than 200 workers from the original Mercury program and included a re-creation of Shepard's flight and recovery, as well as a tribute to his contributions as a moonwalker on the Apollo 14 lunar mission. For more information, visit www.nasa.gov/topics/history/milestones/index.html. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett KSC-2011-3326

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Invited guests enjoy the program presented at ...

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Invited guests enjoy the program presented at a celebration at Complex 5/6 on Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida. The celebration was held at the launch site of the first U.S... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Invited guests and media representatives attend a celebration at Complex 5/6 on Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida. The celebration was held at the launch site of the first U.S. manned spaceflight May 5, 1961, to mark the 50th anniversary of the flight. Fifty years ago, astronaut Alan Shepard lifted off inside the Mercury capsule, "Freedom 7," atop an 82-foot-tall Mercury-Redstone rocket at 9:34 a.m. EST, sending him on a remarkably successful, 15-minute suborbital flight. The event was attended by more than 200 workers from the original Mercury program and included a re-creation of Shepard's flight and recovery, as well as a tribute to his contributions as a moonwalker on the Apollo 14 lunar mission. For more information, visit www.nasa.gov/topics/history/milestones/index.html. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett KSC-2011-3322

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Invited guests and media representatives atten...

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Invited guests and media representatives attend a celebration at Complex 5/6 on Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida. The celebration was held at the launch site of the first U... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- NBC reporter Jay Barbree introduces Alice Wackermann, Julie Jenkins and Laura Churchley, daughters of astronaut Alan Shepard, to the audience at a celebration at Complex 5/6 on Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida. The celebration was held at the launch site of the first U.S. manned spaceflight May 5, 1961, to mark the 50th anniversary of the flight. Fifty years ago, astronaut Alan Shepard lifted off inside the Mercury capsule, "Freedom 7," atop an 82-foot-tall Mercury-Redstone rocket at 9:34 a.m. EST, sending him on a remarkably successful, 15-minute suborbital flight. The event was attended by more than 200 workers from the original Mercury program and included a re-creation of Shepard's flight and recovery, as well as a tribute to his contributions as a moonwalker on the Apollo 14 lunar mission. For more information, visit www.nasa.gov/topics/history/milestones/index.html. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett KSC-2011-3325

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- NBC reporter Jay Barbree introduces Alice Wack...

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- NBC reporter Jay Barbree introduces Alice Wackermann, Julie Jenkins and Laura Churchley, daughters of astronaut Alan Shepard, to the audience at a celebration at Complex 5/6 on Cape Cana... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Invited guests enjoy a tribute to astronaut Alan Shepard during a celebration at Complex 5/6 on Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida. The celebration was held at the launch site of the first U.S. manned spaceflight May 5, 1961, to mark the 50th anniversary of the flight. Fifty years ago, astronaut Alan Shepard lifted off inside the Mercury capsule, "Freedom 7," atop an 82-foot-tall Mercury-Redstone rocket at 9:34 a.m. EST, sending him on a remarkably successful, 15-minute suborbital flight. The event was attended by more than 200 workers from the original Mercury program and included a re-creation of Shepard's flight and recovery, as well as a tribute to his contributions as a moonwalker on the Apollo 14 lunar mission. For more information, visit www.nasa.gov/topics/history/milestones/index.html. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett KSC-2011-3327

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Invited guests enjoy a tribute to astronaut Al...

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Invited guests enjoy a tribute to astronaut Alan Shepard during a celebration at Complex 5/6 on Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida. The celebration was held at the launch sit... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Lieutenant General Susan J. Helms, commander of the 14th Air Force and former astronaut, addresses the audience at a celebration at Complex 5/6 on Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida. The celebration was held at the launch site of the first U.S. manned spaceflight May 5, 1961, to mark the 50th anniversary of the flight. Fifty years ago, astronaut Alan Shepard lifted off inside the Mercury capsule, "Freedom 7," atop an 82-foot-tall Mercury-Redstone rocket at 9:34 a.m. EST, sending him on a remarkably successful, 15-minute suborbital flight. The event was attended by more than 200 workers from the original Mercury program and included a re-creation of Shepard's flight and recovery, as well as a tribute to his contributions as a moonwalker on the Apollo 14 lunar mission. For more information, visit www.nasa.gov/topics/history/milestones/index.html. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett KSC-2011-3323

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Lieutenant General Susan J. Helms, commander o...

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Lieutenant General Susan J. Helms, commander of the 14th Air Force and former astronaut, addresses the audience at a celebration at Complex 5/6 on Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Flo... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Bob Moser, former chief test conductor for the Mercury-Redstone launches, tours the blockhouse at Complex 5/6 on Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida. The celebration was held at the launch site of the first U.S. manned spaceflight May 5, 1961, to mark the 50th anniversary of the flight. Fifty years ago, astronaut Alan Shepard lifted off inside the Mercury capsule, "Freedom 7," atop an 82-foot-tall Mercury-Redstone rocket at 9:34 a.m. EST, sending him on a remarkably successful, 15-minute suborbital flight. The event was attended by more than 200 workers from the original Mercury program and included a re-creation of Shepard's flight and recovery, as well as a tribute to his contributions as a moonwalker on the Apollo 14 lunar mission. For more information, visit www.nasa.gov/topics/history/milestones/index.html. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett KSC-2011-3334

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Bob Moser, former chief test conductor for the...

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Bob Moser, former chief test conductor for the Mercury-Redstone launches, tours the blockhouse at Complex 5/6 on Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida. The celebration was held ... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Kennedy Space Center Director and former astronaut Bob Cabana addresses the audience at a celebration at Complex 5/6 on Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida. The celebration was held at the launch site of the first U.S. manned spaceflight May 5, 1961, to mark the 50th anniversary of the flight. Fifty years ago, astronaut Alan Shepard lifted off inside the Mercury capsule, "Freedom 7," atop an 82-foot-tall Mercury-Redstone rocket at 9:34 a.m. EST, sending him on a remarkably successful, 15-minute suborbital flight. The event was attended by more than 200 workers from the original Mercury program and included a re-creation of Shepard's flight and recovery, as well as a tribute to his contributions as a moonwalker on the Apollo 14 lunar mission. For more information, visit www.nasa.gov/topics/history/milestones/index.html. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett KSC-2011-3324

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Kennedy Space Center Director and former astro...

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Kennedy Space Center Director and former astronaut Bob Cabana addresses the audience at a celebration at Complex 5/6 on Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida. The celebration wa... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- During a celebration at Complex 5/6 on Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida, Mercury astronaut Scott Carpenter greets Calvin Fowler, the launch conductor for Carpenter's Mercury-Atlas 7 mission on May 24, 1962. The celebration was held at the launch site of the first U.S. manned spaceflight May 5, 1961, to mark the 50th anniversary of the flight. Fifty years ago, astronaut Alan Shepard lifted off inside the Mercury capsule, "Freedom 7," atop an 82-foot-tall Mercury-Redstone rocket at 9:34 a.m. EST, sending him on a remarkably successful, 15-minute suborbital flight. The event was attended by more than 200 workers from the original Mercury program and included a re-creation of Shepard's flight and recovery, as well as a tribute to his contributions as a moonwalker on the Apollo 14 lunar mission. For more information, visit www.nasa.gov/topics/history/milestones/index.html. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett KSC-2011-3331

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- During a celebration at Complex 5/6 on Cape Ca...

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- During a celebration at Complex 5/6 on Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida, Mercury astronaut Scott Carpenter greets Calvin Fowler, the launch conductor for Carpenter's Mercury-A... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Kennedy Space Center Director and former astronaut Bob Cabana addresses the audience at a celebration at Complex 5/6 on Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida. The celebration was held at the launch site of the first U.S. manned spaceflight May 5, 1961, to mark the 50th anniversary of the flight. Fifty years ago, astronaut Alan Shepard lifted off inside the Mercury capsule, "Freedom 7," atop an 82-foot-tall Mercury-Redstone rocket at 9:34 a.m. EST, sending him on a remarkably successful, 15-minute suborbital flight. The event was attended by more than 200 workers from the original Mercury program and included a re-creation of Shepard's flight and recovery, as well as a tribute to his contributions as a moonwalker on the Apollo 14 lunar mission. For more information, visit www.nasa.gov/topics/history/milestones/index.html. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett KSC-2011-3315

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Kennedy Space Center Director and former astro...

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Kennedy Space Center Director and former astronaut Bob Cabana addresses the audience at a celebration at Complex 5/6 on Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida. The celebration wa... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- From left, NBC reporter Jay Barbree and Alice Wackermann, Julie Jenkins (at microphone) and Laura Churchley, daughters of astronaut Alan Shepard, participate in a celebration at Complex 5/6 on Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida. The celebration was held at the launch site of the first U.S. manned spaceflight May 5, 1961, to mark the 50th anniversary of the flight. Fifty years ago, astronaut Alan Shepard lifted off inside the Mercury capsule, "Freedom 7," atop an 82-foot-tall Mercury-Redstone rocket at 9:34 a.m. EST, sending him on a remarkably successful, 15-minute suborbital flight. The event was attended by more than 200 workers from the original Mercury program and included a re-creation of Shepard's flight and recovery, as well as a tribute to his contributions as a moonwalker on the Apollo 14 lunar mission. For more information, visit www.nasa.gov/topics/history/milestones/index.html. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett KSC-2011-3318

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- From left, NBC reporter Jay Barbree and Alice ...

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- From left, NBC reporter Jay Barbree and Alice Wackermann, Julie Jenkins (at microphone) and Laura Churchley, daughters of astronaut Alan Shepard, participate in a celebration at Complex ... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Mercury astronaut Scott Carpenter participates in a celebration at Complex 5/6 on Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida. The celebration was held at the launch site of the first U.S. manned spaceflight May 5, 1961, to mark the 50th anniversary of the flight. Fifty years ago, astronaut Alan Shepard lifted off inside the Mercury capsule, "Freedom 7," atop an 82-foot-tall Mercury-Redstone rocket at 9:34 a.m. EST, sending him on a remarkably successful, 15-minute suborbital flight. The event was attended by more than 200 workers from the original Mercury program and included a re-creation of Shepard's flight and recovery, as well as a tribute to his contributions as a moonwalker on the Apollo 14 lunar mission. For more information, visit www.nasa.gov/topics/history/milestones/index.html. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett KSC-2011-3314

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Mercury astronaut Scott Carpenter participates...

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Mercury astronaut Scott Carpenter participates in a celebration at Complex 5/6 on Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida. The celebration was held at the launch site of the first... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- The U.S. flag waves proudly in front of a replica of a Mercury-Redstone rocket at Complex 5/6 on Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida. A celebration was held at the launch site of the first U.S. manned spaceflight May 5, 1961, to mark the 50th anniversary of the flight. Fifty years ago, astronaut Alan Shepard lifted off inside the Mercury capsule, "Freedom 7," atop an 82-foot-tall Mercury-Redstone rocket at 9:34 a.m. EST, sending him on a remarkably successful, 15-minute suborbital flight. The event was attended by more than 200 workers from the original Mercury program and included a re-creation of Shepard's flight and recovery, as well as a tribute to his contributions as a moonwalker on the Apollo 14 lunar mission. For more information, visit www.nasa.gov/topics/history/milestones/index.html. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett KSC-2011-3321

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- The U.S. flag waves proudly in front of a repl...

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- The U.S. flag waves proudly in front of a replica of a Mercury-Redstone rocket at Complex 5/6 on Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida. A celebration was held at the launch site... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- NASA Administrator Charlie Bolden addresses the audience during a celebration at Complex 5/6 on Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida. The celebration was held at the launch site of the first U.S. manned spaceflight May 5, 1961, to mark the 50th anniversary of the flight. Fifty years ago, astronaut Alan Shepard lifted off inside the Mercury capsule, "Freedom 7," atop an 82-foot-tall Mercury-Redstone rocket at 9:34 a.m. EST, sending him on a remarkably successful, 15-minute suborbital flight. The event was attended by more than 200 workers from the original Mercury program and included a re-creation of Shepard's flight and recovery, as well as a tribute to his contributions as a moonwalker on the Apollo 14 lunar mission. For more information, visit www.nasa.gov/topics/history/milestones/index.html. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett KSC-2011-3328

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- NASA Administrator Charlie Bolden addresses th...

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- NASA Administrator Charlie Bolden addresses the audience during a celebration at Complex 5/6 on Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida. The celebration was held at the launch sit... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Invited guests attending a celebration at Complex 5/6 on Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida tour the blockhouse. The celebration was held at the launch site of the first U.S. manned spaceflight May 5, 1961, to mark the 50th anniversary of the flight. Fifty years ago, astronaut Alan Shepard lifted off inside the Mercury capsule, "Freedom 7," atop an 82-foot-tall Mercury-Redstone rocket at 9:34 a.m. EST, sending him on a remarkably successful, 15-minute suborbital flight. The event was attended by more than 200 workers from the original Mercury program and included a re-creation of Shepard's flight and recovery, as well as a tribute to his contributions as a moonwalker on the Apollo 14 lunar mission. For more information, visit www.nasa.gov/topics/history/milestones/index.html. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett KSC-2011-3332

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Invited guests attending a celebration at Comp...

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Invited guests attending a celebration at Complex 5/6 on Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida tour the blockhouse. The celebration was held at the launch site of the first U.S.... More