2017

Celebrities

Alan Shepard was a prominent figure in the early days of the United States' space program. Born in 1923, he graduated from the United States Naval Academy and served as a test pilot.

Shepard achieved national fame in 1961 when he became the first American in space, piloting the Freedom 7 spacecraft on a suborbital flight. This groundbreaking mission helped pave the way for future American space exploration.

Despite being temporarily grounded due to an inner ear condition, Shepard returned to space a decade later as commander of the Apollo 14 mission in 1971. During this mission, he walked on the Moon, famously hitting golf balls on its surface.

Shepard's contributions extended beyond his spaceflights; he also served as Chief of the Astronaut Office, playing a key role in selecting and training future astronauts. He retired from NASA and the Navy in 1974 and later entered the business world. He passed away in 1998, leaving behind a legacy as a pioneer of space exploration.