Alan Bartlett Shepard American astronaut Date of Birth: 18.11.1923 Country: USA

1. Early Life and Education
2. Navy Career and Test Pilot
3. NASA and the Mercury Program
4. Health Issues and Return to Space
5. Apollo 14 Mission
6. Post-NASA Career
7. Legacy and Honors
8. Personal Life and Death

Early Life and Education

Alan Bartlett Shepard Jr. was born on November 18, 1923, in East Derry, New Hampshire. His father was a banker. Shepard's fascination with aviation began in high school, where he enrolled in a pilot training program. After graduating from the United States Naval Academy in 1944, he served in the Pacific during World War II.

Navy Career and Test Pilot

From 1950 to 1953 and 1955 to 1957, Shepard trained at the Navy Test Pilot School. He graduated from the Naval War College in 1958 and also attended a civilian flight school.

NASA and the Mercury Program

In 1959, Shepard was selected for NASA's astronaut corps. On May 5, 1961, he became the first American in space when he piloted the Mercury-Redstone 3 (MR-3) mission for 15 minutes and 22 seconds.

Health Issues and Return to Space

In 1963, Shepard was temporarily grounded due to an ear infection. He was reinstated for training on May 7, 1969.

Apollo 14 Mission

From January 31 to February 9, 1971, Shepard commanded the Apollo 14 mission to the Moon. He and Stuart Roosa landed the lunar module on February 5, 1971, in the Fra Mauro crater. Shepard spent 33 hours and 30 minutes on the Moon, including two moonwalks totaling 9 hours and 23 minutes.

Post-NASA Career

Shepard retired from NASA in 1974 and became the president of Windward Co. in Deer Park, Texas, until 1994. Later, he founded his own company, Seven Fourteen Enterprises, in Houston, Texas.

Legacy and Honors

Shepard founded the Mercury Seven Foundation in 1984 and served as its president from 1995 to 1998. He was awarded numerous medals, including the NASA Distinguished and Exceptional Service Medals, the Congressional Space Medal of Honor, and the Smithsonian Institution's Langley Medal.

Personal Life and Death

Shepard was married to Loise Brewer and had three daughters and six grandchildren. He died of leukemia on July 22, 1998, in Monterey, California.