One of the original seven astronauts in Project Mercury, he was the first American to spend over a day in space and the last to fly solo in orbit, paving the way for future space exploration.
Gordon Cooper is perhaps best known for being the youngest of the seven original astronauts in Project Mercury, the first human space program of the United States. In 1963, he piloted the longest and last Mercury spaceflight, Mercury-Atlas 9, becoming the first American to spend an entire day in space, sleep in space, and complete a solo orbital mission.
Cooper was born on March 6, 1927, in Shawnee, Oklahoma. He developed a passion for flying at a young age and learned to fly as a child. After serving in the United States Marine Corps during World War II, he was commissioned into the United States Air Force in 1949.
Cooper qualified as a test pilot in 1956 and was selected as an astronaut in 1959. During his time in the Air Force, he flew 105 combat missions in Korea and served as a fighter pilot.
In addition to his record-breaking Mercury-Atlas 9 mission, Cooper became the first astronaut to make a second orbital flight when he flew as command pilot of Gemini 5 in 1965. Along with pilot Pete Conrad, he set a new space endurance record by traveling 3,312,993 miles in 190 hours and 56 minutes, paving the way for future lunar missions.
Cooper was an avid racing enthusiast and competed in various car and boat races. He entered the 28,000 Salton City 500-mile boat race, the Southwest Championship Drag Boat races, and the 1967 Orange Bowl Regatta. Although he was forced to withdraw from the 1968 24 Hours of Daytona due to NASA safety concerns, his need for speed was undeniable.
Cooper retired from NASA and the Air Force with the rank of colonel in 1970. He went on to pursue business ventures and served as a consultant for various aerospace companies. Cooper passed away on October 4, 2004, leaving behind a legacy of bravery, skill, and innovation in the field of space exploration.
"I believed, and still believe, that the American people were up to the challenge of sending people to the Moon and returning them safely." - Gordon Cooper
Cooper's remarkable achievements, courage, and dedication to the pursuit of space exploration have cemented his place in history as one of the pioneering figures of the American space program.
Born in 1923
First American in space, commanded Apollo 14 mission, and walked on the Moon.
97 Years Old
American baseball player who pitched in the Major Leagues from 1965 to 1975, known for being a four-time All-Star and winning the American League ERA title in 1968.
Born in 1923
One of the original seven astronauts in Project Mercury, this pioneer flew on three historic spaceflights, including the first American manned orbital flight and the Apollo 7 mission.
Born in 1924
One of the original Mercury Seven astronauts, he was a decorated war veteran and test pilot who later became a NASA executive, playing a crucial role in the development of the US space program.
Born in 1926
One of the original seven astronauts in NASA's Project Mercury, a decorated military pilot, and a pioneer in space exploration, known for being the second American in space and commanding the first manned Gemini mission.
95 Years Old
Led the third manned mission to land on the Moon, Apollo 12, and became the third person to walk on its surface. Known for his bold and fearless approach to space exploration.
95 Years Old
First person to walk on the Moon during the Apollo 11 mission, marking a historic milestone in space exploration.
96 Years Old
Second man to walk on the Moon during the Apollo 11 mission, a pioneering astronaut and advocate for space exploration.
