Alan Shepard

Date of Birth: November 18, 1923

Zodiac Sign: Scorpio

Date of Death: July 21, 1998

Biography

Alan Bartlett Shepard Jr. was an American astronaut, naval aviator, test pilot, and businessman. Born on November 18, 1923, in Derry, New Hampshire, Shepard was one of the original NASA Mercury Seven astronauts. He became the first American to travel into space on May 5, 1961, aboard the Freedom 7 spacecraft. Shepard’s flight lasted just over 15 minutes, but it marked a significant milestone in the U.S. space program during the Cold War. Later in his career, Shepard commanded the Apollo 14 mission and became the fifth person to walk on the Moon in 1971. Shepard’s early years were marked by academic excellence and a keen interest in aviation, which led him to the U.S. Naval Academy. After graduating in 1944, he served in World War II and later became a test pilot. His selection as a NASA astronaut in 1959 propelled him to national fame. After retiring from NASA and the Navy in 1974, Shepard entered the private sector and became a successful businessman. He passed away on July 21, 1998, due to leukemia.

5 Interesting Facts about Alan Shepard

1. Alan Shepard was the first American to travel into space.

2. He was the fifth person to walk on the Moon and the only Mercury astronaut to do so.

3. Shepard hit two golf balls on the Moon during the Apollo 14 mission.

4. He was diagnosed with Ménière’s disease, an inner-ear disorder, which temporarily grounded him.

5. Shepard was awarded the Congressional Space Medal of Honor in 1978.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Alan Shepard

1. “It’s a very sobering feeling to be up in space and realize that one’s safety factor was determined by the lowest bidder on a government contract.”

2. “When I first looked back at the Earth, standing on the Moon, I cried.”

3. “Whether you are a space explorer or a scientist, the world is your lab.”

4. “The view from the window, particularly when you reach a point above 100,000 feet, is spectacular.”

5. “The fact that every part of this ship was built by the lowest bidder, I think, is a great testament to American ingenuity.”