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Freedom 7 is displayed at the U.S. Naval Academy in Anapolis, Maryland. Astronaut Alan Shepard, who flew in Freedom 7 on May 5, 1961, was a graduate of the Academy and a naval officer. Excepting the 'Freedom 7' stand on which it rests, it is displayed as it was at the National Air and Space Museum.
This capsule carried Alan Shepard, America's first astronaut. Shepard was launched on booster number 7 and spacecraft number 7. (NASA's mission designation was MR-3.) Being the superstitious sort as are many military pilots, he named his capsule Freedom 7 to reflect his 'lucky' number. cont.
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Images by: Jim Gerard
Date: August 1, 2008 |
Mission information available from NASA. |
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When the press asked if the 7 stood for all the Mercury astronauts,Shepard, being the smart sort as are all military pilots, said "Why yes, of course that's what it means!" The name can be seen at left. |
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To enable Shepard to view the Earth below his spacecraft, a periscope was used. It can been seen above. An image of the Earth was projected onto a circular screen in the center of the control panel, seen as an amber color. |
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Previous Location
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As displayed at the National Air and Space Museum. |
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Last Updated on: Wednesday, September 3, 2008
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A Field Guide to American Spacecraft
by Jim Gerard
www.americanspacecraft.com
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