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Alan Shepard Jr walks to Redstone launcher - Cape Canaveral
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Alan Shepard Jr walks to Redstone launcher - Cape Canaveral
Alan Shepard Jr walks towards the Redstone launcher at Cape Canaveral prior to his successful 302mile suborbital lob on 5 May 1961. Date: 1961
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Media ID 18388433
© The Royal Aeronautical Society (National Aerospace Library)/Mary Evans Picture Library
1961 Alan Canaveral Cape Launcher Prior Redstone Shepard Successful Walks Aeronautics Suborbital
EDITORS COMMENTS
In this historic photograph, astronaut Alan Shepard Jr. is seen making his way towards the Redstone launcher at Cape Canaveral, Florida, on May 5, 1961. The moment captured in this image marks a pivotal point in Shepard's career and in the history of space exploration. Alan Shepard, a decorated naval aviator and test pilot, was the first American to travel into space. His suborbital flight aboard the Freedom 7 spacecraft, which was carried aloft by the Redstone rocket, reached an altitude of 302 miles and lasted for 15 minutes and 22 seconds. This achievement came just over a month after Yuri Gagarin's groundbreaking orbital flight, making Shepard's mission a significant response to the Soviet Union's early lead in space. As Shepard approaches the Redstone launcher, he is focused and determined, with a sense of purpose etched on his face. The image captures the intensity and anticipation of the moment before the launch, as the astronaut prepares to embark on a journey that would forever change the course of human history. The photograph is a testament to the courage and ingenuity of the early astronauts and the aeronautical pioneers who made space travel a reality. This portrait-style image, taken from the archives of Mary Evans Prints Online, offers a unique and personal look into the historic event. The black-and-white photograph, with its clear focus on the subject and the dramatic contrast between the bright sunlight and the dark launchpad, evokes a sense of awe and wonder. The image is a valuable addition to any collection of space exploration history or aeronautical portraits.
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