When did alan shepard go to space

As the first American to travel in space, he energized the U. Here are five things you may not know about this modern American hero. Just 23 days separated the historic flights of Yuri Gagarin of Russia the first man in space and Alan Shepard. The U. Shepard's minute, second flight achieved an altitude of miles kilometers and a velocity of 5, miles 8, kilometers per hour before coming back down to Earth.

Alan shepard family

But while Gagarin was only a passenger in his vehicle, Shepard could maneuver his spacecraft, the Freedom 7. Also, unlike Gagarin, millions of people all over the world watched the whole event. Shepard's success allowed President John F. Kennedy to announce in Congress 10 days later the goal of putting a man on the moon by the end of the decade.

Since the flight was only supposed to be 15 minutes, NASA engineers had not made preparations in case Shepard needed to go to the bathroom after putting on his spacesuit. Big mistake. Delays meant he was in the rocket for over three hours, and he really had to go.

What almost happened to alan shepard in space

But permission was denied — he already was strapped in and wearing medical sensors. Shepard then threatened to pee right in his spacesuit. Here's how writer Ben Evans described the rest of the story in AmericaSpace: "Managers wondered if the urine might short-circuit the medical wiring and electrical thermometers in his suit.