All Astronauts
LEGENDIn MemoriamNASA
LEGENDIn MemoriamNASANASA·🇺🇸 United States·Born 1923
Alan Shepard
First American in space (May 5, 1961)
217h
Hours in Space
2
Missions
2
EVAs
10h
EVA Time
Dear Lord, please don't let me screw up.
It's a beautiful day. Have you ever seen a more beautiful day?
I must admit, maybe I am a piece of history after all.
Inspirations
Charles Lindbergh
What they aspire to
He hoped to walk on the Moon despite being grounded by Ménière's disease, a goal he achieved on Apollo 14.
Biography
First American in space. Walked on the Moon during Apollo 14 and famously hit golf balls on the lunar surface.
Before NASAU.S. Navy test pilot who flew F4U Corsairs and tested experimental aircraft at Patuxent River before joining the Mercury Seven in 1959.
Records & Firsts
Notable accomplishments by Alan Shepard
- First American in space (May 5, 1961)
- Fifth person to walk on the Moon (Apollo 14)
- Only Mercury Seven astronaut to walk on the Moon
Mission Timeline
- Pilot
Mercury capsule
Mercury-Redstone 3 (Freedom 7)
Launch: May 5, 1961Landing: May 5, 1961Duration: 1 day- First American in space
- Suborbital flight
- Commander
Apollo CSM/LM
Apollo 14
Launch: Jan 31, 1971Landing: Feb 9, 1971Duration: 9 days- Walked on the Moon
- Hit two golf balls on the lunar surface
Beyond the Mission
Hobbies & Interests
golfsailingice skating
Causes They Champion
Mercury Seven Foundation scholarships for science students
Languages
English
Awards & Honors
- Congressional Space Medal of Honor
- NASA Distinguished Service Medal
- Navy Distinguished Service Medal
- Langley Gold Medal
Authored
- Moon Shot: The Inside Story of America's Race to the Moon(1994)· Turner Publishing
Fun fact
He hit two golf balls on the lunar surface during Apollo 14 using a makeshift six-iron head attached to a sample collection tool.
Learn More
More Astronauts
Other space travelers from NASA
