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IMAGO International History, Archive, Space travel, USA, Freedom 7 with Alan Shephard 1961

Nov 25, 2025

The following photos have been selected for you by the IMAGO picture desk on this topic. For more pictures please use the search function.

  • 1961 NASA Mercury Launch May 5, 2016 - Cape Canaveral, Florida, U.S. - File - On This Day 1961 - Profile of astronaut ALAN SHEPARD in his silver pressure suit with the helmet visor closed as he prepares for his upcoming Mercury-Redstone 3 (MR-3) launch. On May 5th 1961, Alan B. Shepard Jr. became the first American to fly into space. His Freedom 7 Mercury capsule flew a suborbital trajectory lasting 15 minutes 22 seconds. His spacecraft splashed down in the Atlantic Ocean where he and Freedom 7 were recovered by helicopter and transported to the awaiting aircraft carrier U.S.S. Lake Champlain. Copyright: xNASAx
  • RECORD DATE NOT STATED CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - Flight controllers gather inside Mercury Mission Control for Alan Shepard s Freedom 7 mission, which launched on May 5, 1961. The Mercury Mission Control Center in Florida played a key role in the United States early spaceflight program. Located at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, the original part of the building was constructed between 1956 and 1958, with additions in 1959 and 1963. The facility officially was transferred to NASA on Dec. 26, 1963, and served as mission control during all the Project Mercury missions, as well as the first three flights of the Gemini Program, when it was renamed Mission Control Center. With its operational days behind, on June 1, 1967, the Mission Control Center became a stop on the Copyright: xpiemagsx piemagsnasaend23-17042 !ACHTUNG AUFNAHMEDATUM GESCHÄTZT!
  • RECORD DATE NOT STATED KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - Astronaut Alan B. Shepard is being assisted by a technician in getting into his space suit at 2 45 a.m. this morning, beginning the long countdown of the scheduled launch of the Mercury Redstone. After Astronaut Shepard is suited up, he will travel by van to the Redstone Gantry on Pad 5 and be placed into the Mercury Capsule, called Freedom 7, on top of the Redstone booster rocket. Astronaut Shepard will pilot the first U.S. manned sub-orbital space flight of the Manned Mercury Program. Copyright: xpiemagsx piemagsnasaend23-16982 !ACHTUNG AUFNAHMEDATUM GESCHÄTZT!
  • Shepard Hoisted from Mercury Capsule A United States Marine helicopter recovery team hoists astronaut Alan B. Shepard from his Mercury spacecraft after a successful flight and splashdown in the Atlantic Ocean. On Friday, May 5th 1961, Alan B. Shepard Jr. became the first American to fly into space. His Freedom 7 Mercury capsule flew a suborbital trajectory lasting 15 minutes 22 seconds. His spacecraft landed in the Atlantic Ocean where he and his capsule were recovered by helicopter and transported to the awaiting aircraft carrier U.S.S. Lake Champlain..Photo by NASA CNP-PHOTOlink. Atlantic Ocean EDITORIAL USE ONLY Copyright: xx S61-02723 GPN-2000-001025 NASAx phlphotos362896
  • Shepard Enters Cleanroom Astronaut Alan B. Shepard, Jr., makes his way from the elevator to the cleanroom atop the service tower on Friday, May 5, 1961 where hell be inserted into his Mercury space capsule nicknamed Freedom 7. Astronaut Virgil I. Gus Grissom is there to greet him..Photo by NASA CNP-PHOTOlink. Cape Canaveral Florida United States of America EDITORIAL USE ONLY Copyright: xx 71P-0270 GPN-2000-001012 NASAx phlphotos362894
  • Freedom 7 Prelaunch Astronaut Virgil I. Gus Grissom, left, wishes Alan B. Shepard, right, a safe flight just before insertion into the Freedom 7 spacecraft mated to the Redstone rocket before launch on Friday, May 5, 1961..Photo by NASA CNP-PHOTOlink. Cape Canaveral Florida United States of America EDITORIAL USE ONLY Copyright: xx 71P-0245 GPN-2000-001009 NASAx phlphotos362892
  • Alan Shepard in His Space Suit A closeup of astronaut Alan B. Shepard in his space suit seated inside the Mercury capsule on Saturday, April 29, 1961. He is undergoing a flight simulation test with the capsule mated to the Redstone booster..Photo by NASA CNP-PHOTOlink. Cape Canaveral Florida United States of America EDITORIAL USE ONLY Copyright: xx 61-10515 GPN-2000-001005 NASAx phlphotos362891
  • ALAN SHEPARD (1923-1998). American astronaut. Being hauled into a helicopter after landing the first ever manned Mercury space capsule in the water near the USS Lake Champlain. Photograph, 5 May 1961. Copyright: xGRANGERx xGRANGERx 1031521
  • PROJECT MERCURY, 1961. Mercury-Redstone 3 rocket being launched into orbit from Cape Canaveral on astronaut Alan B. Shepard s Freedom 7 suborbital mission. Photograph, 5 May 1961. Copyright: xGRANGERx xGRANGERx 1031519
  • Astronaut Alan Shepard in his pressure suit, for the Mercury-Redstone 3 (MR-3) flight, the first American manned space flight. On May 5, 1961, Shepard piloted the Freedom 7 mission and became the second person, and the first American, to travel into space. Copyright: xx 4368-157
  • Astronaut Alan B. Shepard is hoisted aboard a U.S. Marine helicopter after splashdown of his Freedom 7 Mercury space capsule on May 5 1961 (photo) 3597183 Astronaut Alan B. Shepard is hoisted aboard a U.S. Marine helicopter after splashdown of his Freedom 7 Mercury space capsule on May 5 1961 (photo); (add.info.: Astronaut Alan B. Shepard is hoisted aboard a U.S. Marine helicopter after splashdown of his Freedom 7 Mercury space capsule. Shepard was the first American, and second human after Russian Yuri Gargarin, to make a manned suborbital space flight.); Photo NASA. Copyright: xPhotox xNASAx xBridgemanxImagesx 3597183
  • Launch of Mercury-Redstone 3 (Left) Carrying Astronaut Alan Shephard, Cape Kennedy, Florida, USA, May 5, 1961, Comparison to Saturn I Launch Vehicle on Right, Postcard Copyright: xABxArchivex jtv004527
  • Astronaut Alan Shepard underwent a physical examination prior to the first marned suborbital flight. Freedom 7 carrying Astronaut Alan Shepard, boosted by the Mercury-Redstone launch vehicle, lifted off on May 5, 1961. Astronaut Shepard became the first American in space. Copyright: xpiemagsx piemagsspace-160359 !ACHTUNG AUFNAHMEDATUM GESCHÄTZT!
  • This photo depicts the recovery operations of the MR-3 mission. Astronaut Alan Shepard was picked up by a U.S. Marine helicopter after the completion of the first marned suborbital flight by MR-3 (Mercury-Redstone) with the Freedom 7 capsule. Copyright: xpiemagsx piemagsspace-160240 !ACHTUNG AUFNAHMEDATUM GESCHÄTZT!
  • Astronaut Alan Shepard fitted with space suit prior to the first marned suborbital flight. Freedom 7, carrying Astronaut Alan Shepard, boosted by the Mercury-Redstone launch vehicle, lifted off on May 5, 1961. Astronaut Shepard became the first American in space. Copyright: xpiemagsx piemagsspace-159880 !ACHTUNG AUFNAHMEDATUM GESCHÄTZT!
  • Dr. von Braun addresses a crowd celebrating in front of the Madison County Alabama Courthouse following the successful launch of Astronaut Alan Shepard (America s first astronaut in space) into space on a Mercury-Redstone Launch Vehicle, Freedom 7. Shepard s Mercury Spacecraft, was launched from Cape Canaveral. He reached a speed of 5200 mph. His flight lasted 15-1 2 minutes. May 5, 1961 (Photo Courtesy of Huntsville Madison County Public Library) Copyright: xpiemagsx piemagsspace-159739 !ACHTUNG AUFNAHMEDATUM GESCHÄTZT!
  • Astronaut Alan B. Shepard, Jr. awaits liftoff in the Freedom 7 Mercury spacecraft on May 5, 1961. This third flight of the Mercury-Redstone (MR-3) vehicle, developed by D. Wernher von Braun and the rocket team in Huntsville, Alabama, was the first marned space mission for the United States. During the 15-minute suborbital flight, Shepard reached an altitude of 115 miles and traveled 302 miles downrange. Copyright: xpiemagsx piemagsspace-159347 !ACHTUNG AUFNAHMEDATUM GESCHÄTZT!
  • S88-31388 (8 May 1961) --- Astronaut Alan B. Shepard Jr. (center), along with wife Louise, waves to a crowd outside the U.S. Capitol building. Shepard, Mercury-Redstone 3 astronaut, had earlier briefed Congress on the first U.S. manned spaceflight -- a 15-minute suborbital mission on May 5, 1961, aboard the Freedom 7 capsule. (NASA Hq. Photo No., MR3-49) Copyright: xpiemagsx piemagsspace-57375 !ACHTUNG AUFNAHMEDATUM GESCHÄTZT!
  • S88-31387 (8 May 1961) --- President John F. Kennedy (left) congratulates NASA s Distinguished Service Medal Award recipient astronaut Alan B. Shepard Jr. in a Rose Garden ceremony on May 8, 1961, at the White House. Vice-President Lyndon B. Johnson, NASA Administrator James E. Webb and several NASA astronauts are in the background. Three days earlier, Shepard made history with a 15-minute suborbital space mission in the Freedom 7, Mercury-Redstone 3 spacecraft. Copyright: xpiemagsx piemagsspace-57374 !ACHTUNG AUFNAHMEDATUM GESCHÄTZT!
  • S88-31384 (5 May 1961) --- Astronaut Alan B. Shepard Jr., Mercury-Redstone 3 (MR-3) pilot, is pictured near his Freedom 7 capsule during a postflight inspection aboard the U.S. Navy Carrier Champlain after the recovery of his Mercury vehicle. Earlier Shepard had completed the historical 15-minute suborbital Mercury-Redstone 3 mission, marking the U.S. inaugural manned space mission. (NASA Hq. No. 61-MR3-107 or MR3-44) Copyright: xpiemagsx piemagsspace-57373 !ACHTUNG AUFNAHMEDATUM GESCHÄTZT!
  • S88-31376 (5 May 1961) --- Astronaut Alan B. Shepard Jr., pilot of the Mercury-Redstone 3 (MR-3) suborbital spaceflight, is retrieved by a helicopter from the USS Lake Champlain during recovery operations in the western Atlantic Ocean. Shepard and the Mercury spacecraft designated the Freedom 7 (floating in water below) were flown to the deck of the recovery ship within 11 minutes of splashdown. MR-3 was the United States first manned space mission. The spacecraft attained a maximum speed of 5,180 miles per hour, reached an altitude of 116 1 2 statute miles, and landed 302 statute miles downrange from Cape Canaveral, Florida. The suborbital mission lasted 15 minutes and 22 seconds. Copyright: xpiemagsx piemagsspace-57369 !ACHTUNG AUFNAHMEDATUM GESCHÄTZT!
  • S61-03651 (5 May 1961) --- Astronaut Alan B. Shepard Jr., in his pressure suit and helmet, is being inserted into the Freedom 7 capsule in preparation for the Mercury-Redstone 3 (MR-3) mission. Copyright: xpiemagsx piemagsspace-54389 !ACHTUNG AUFNAHMEDATUM GESCHÄTZT!
  • S61-03645 (5 May 1961) --- Close-up of astronaut Alan B. Shepard Jr., in his pressure suit and helmet, ingressing into the Freedom 7 capsule in preparation for the Mercury-Redstone 3 (MR-3) mission. Copyright: xpiemagsx piemagsspace-54388 !ACHTUNG AUFNAHMEDATUM GESCHÄTZT!
  • S61-02796 (5 May 1961) --- Rear view of astronaut Alan B. Shepard Jr., in his pressure suit and helmet, as he approaches the Freedom 7 capsule in preparation for ingress before the Mercury-Redstone 3 mission. All that can be seen of the astronaut is his legs. Copyright: xpiemagsx piemagsspace-54380 !ACHTUNG AUFNAHMEDATUM GESCHÄTZT!
  • S61-02792 (5 May 1961) --- Astronaut Alan B. Shepard Jr., in his pressure suit and helmet, approaches the Freedom 7 capsule in preparation for insertion before the Mercury-Redstone 3 (MR-3) mission. Copyright: xpiemagsx piemagsspace-54378 !ACHTUNG AUFNAHMEDATUM GESCHÄTZT!
  • S61-02727 (5 May 1961) --- Astronaut Alan B. Shepard is seen on the deck of the USS Lake Champlain after the recovery of his Mercury capsule in the western Atlantic Ocean. Shepard and the Mercury spacecraft designated the Freedom 7 were flown to the deck of the recovery ship within 11 minutes of splashdown. MR-3 was the United States first manned space mission. The spacecraft attained a maximum speed of 5,180 miles per hour, reached an altitude of 116 1 2 statute miles, and landed 302 statute miles downrange from Cape Canaveral, Florida. The suborbital mission lasted 15 minutes and 22 seconds. Copyright: xpiemagsx piemagsspace-54366 !ACHTUNG AUFNAHMEDATUM GESCHÄTZT!
  • S61-02547 (5 May 1961) --- Astronaut Alan B. Shepard Jr., in his pressure suit and helmet, looks into the Freedom 7 capsule in preparation for ingress before the Mercury-Redstone 3 (MR-3) mission. Copyright: xpiemagsx piemagsspace-54364 !ACHTUNG AUFNAHMEDATUM GESCHÄTZT!
  • Astronaut Alan B. Shepard, Jr. lifts off in the Freedom 7 Mercury spacecraft on May 5, 1961. This third flight of the Mercury-Redstone (MR-3) vehicle, developed by Dr. Wernher von Braun and the rocket team in Huntsille, Alabama, was the first marned space mission for the United States. During the 15-minute suborbital flight, Shepard reached an altitude of 115 miles and traveled 302 miles downrange. Copyright: xpiemagsx piemagsspace-27728 !ACHTUNG AUFNAHMEDATUM GESCHÄTZT!
  • Astronaut Alan B. Shepard on the deck of the aircraft carrier, U.S.S. Lake Champlain, after the recovery of his Freedom 7 Mercury space capsule. May 5, 1961. Courtesy Everett Collection PUBLICATIONXNOTxINxCANxCHNxFRAxITAxJPNxNORxPOLxRUSxESPxUKxUSA Copyright: xCourtesyxEverettxCollectionx HISL010 EC218
  • Nov. 20, 2013 - Washington, District Of Columbia, U.S - United States President John F. Kennedy congratulates astronaut Alan B. Shepard, Jr., the first American in space, on his historic May 5th, 1961 ride in the Freedom 7 spacecraft and presents him with the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Distinguished Service Award, in Washington, D.C. on May 6, 1961. Shepard s wife, Louise (left in white dress and hat), and his mother were in attendance as well as the other six Mercury astronauts, including Colonel John H. Glenn, Jr. and other NASA officals, some visible in the background. - ZUMAp12