Object Details
Astronaut
Alan B. Shepard Jr.
Manufacturer
McDonnell Aircraft Corp.
Summary
On May 5, 1961, Alan Shepard became the first American to fly in a space capsule. He named it "Freedom 7," the number signifying the seven Mercury astronauts. NASA called the mission Mercury-Redstone 3 (MR-3). Lofted by a Redstone rocket, Shepard and his capsule attained a maximum speed of 5180 mph and rose to an altitude of 116 miles. The sub-orbital flight lasted 15 minutes and 28 seconds. Freedom 7 parachuted into the sea 302 miles from the launch pad at Cape Canaveral, Florida, and was retrieved by helicopter, along with Shepard.
NASA gave "Freedom 7" to the Smithsonian in October 1961, the first manned spacecraft accessioned into the National Collection. These two pieces are part of the parachute attachment system.
Credit Line
Transferred from the National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Inventory Number
A19620021008
Restrictions & Rights
Usage conditions apply
Type
SPACECRAFT-Crewed-Parts & Structural Components
Materials
Ferrous Alloy
Unknown Coating
Dimensions
3-D: 2.5 × 1.9cm (1 × 3/4 in.)
3-D: 5.1 × 4.4cm (2 × 1 3/4 in.)
Country of Origin
United States of America
See more items in
National Air and Space Museum Collection
Data Source
National Air and Space Museum
Link to Original Record
Record ID
nasm_A19620021008