Date of Birth: March 6, 1927
Zodiac Sign: Pisces
Date of Death: October 4, 2004
Biography
Leroy Gordon “Gordo” Cooper Jr. was an American aerospace engineer, test pilot, United States Air Force pilot, and one of the seven original astronauts in Project Mercury, the first human space program of the United States. Born on March 6, 1927, in Shawnee, Oklahoma, Cooper developed a passion for aviation at a young age, inspired by his father who was a World War I veteran and barnstormer. Cooper attended the University of Hawaii and joined the United States Marine Corps before transferring to the Air Force. He earned a degree in Aerospace Engineering from the Air Force Institute of Technology. Cooper was selected as an astronaut in 1959 and piloted the longest and final Mercury spaceflight, Mercury-Atlas 9, in 1963. He orbited the Earth 22 times and spent over 34 hours in space, demonstrating the feasibility of prolonged space missions. Cooper later flew as Command Pilot of Gemini 5 in 1965, setting a new space endurance record by staying in orbit for nearly 8 days, which was crucial for the eventual Apollo missions to the Moon. After retiring from NASA and the Air Force, Cooper engaged in various business ventures, including aerospace consulting and treasure hunting. He passed away on October 4, 2004, leaving behind a legacy as a pioneer of human space exploration.
5 Interesting Facts about Gordon Cooper
1. Gordon Cooper was the last American to fly in space alone.
2. He claimed to have seen UFOs during his flights and was a strong advocate for the disclosure of UFO information.
3. Cooper was an avid car racer and participated in the 24 Hours of Le Mans.
4. He was awarded the NASA Distinguished Service Medal for his contributions to space exploration.
5. Cooper co-authored the book “Leap of Faith: An Astronaut’s Journey into the Unknown,” where he detailed his experiences and beliefs.
5 Most Interesting Quotes from Gordon Cooper
1. “I believe that these extraterrestrial vehicles and their crews are visiting this planet from other planets.”
2. “The conquest of space is worth the risk of life.”
3. “I had the opportunity to chart new courses in space and set records that will probably stand for some time.”
4. “Exploration is really the essence of the human spirit.”
5. “I know other astronauts share my feelings about the UFOs.”
Highest Net Worth Achieved
Gordon Cooper’s highest net worth achieved is estimated to be around $2 million.
Children
Gordon Cooper had four daughters: Camala Keoki, Janita Lee, Elizabeth Jo, and Colleen Taylor.
Relevant Links
3. [The Mercury 7 Astronauts](https://history.nasa.gov/40thmerc7/cooper.htm
5. [Interview with Gordon Cooper on UFOs](https://www.ufoevidence.org/documents/doc608.htm
