THIS DAY IN HISTORY: Launch of Freedom 7 From Cape

Astronaut Alan B. Shepard, Jr. sits in his Freedom 7 Mercury capsule, ready for launch. Just 23 days earlier, Soviet cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin had become the first man in space. After several delays Launch of Mercury-Redstone 3 (Freedom 7) - YouTube Mar 16, 2010 Freedom 7 Mercury Capsule | Space

May 03, 2010

Freedom 7 - NASA Freedom 7 Pad LC-5 Redstone (5) Crew: Alan B. Shepard, Jr Milestones: 4/18/61 - 1st Launch Simulation at pad 5/05/61 - Launch . Payload: Spacecraft No. 7, Launch Vehicle MR-7 Mission Objective:

In May and July 1961, NASA successfully launched Alan Shepard in his Freedom 7 spacecraft and Gus Grissom in Liberty Bell 7 into sub-orbital flights each lasting about fifteen minutes. Glenn’s mission would be NASA’s first attempt at full orbital space flight. Once again, cloud cover over Cape Canaveral initially delayed the launch.

Sep 10, 2012 Katherine Johnson, The Brains of Freedom 7 – StMU History The Freedom 7 rocket obtained a top speed of 5,180 miles an hour and a peak altitude of 116 miles. 9 She had done it. Katherine successfully helped send astronaut Alan Shepard into space and brought him safely back to earth. This major success was a big stepping stone for not only Katherine, but for every woman working at NASA.