[amsat-bb] Re: Alan Shepard, First American in Space

[i8cvs]

Hi John, K8YSE

May 5th is also the Anniversary of the death in 1821 in the island
of Saint Helina of  His Imperial and Royal Majesty the French
General Napoleon Bonaparte.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Napoleon

Along with his military career he had the merit of introducing the
"Metric System" in september 1799 wich is actually officially
adopted by NASA.

73" de

i8CVS Domenico

----- Original Message -----
From: "John Papay" <john at papays.com>
To: <amsat-bb at amsat.org>
Sent: Wednesday, May 04, 2011 6:16 PM
Subject: [amsat-bb] Alan Shepard, First American in Space


> Tomorrow, May 5th, we as Americans will celebrate the
> Anniversary of Alan Shepard's flight into space 50 years
> ago.  Alan flew in a Mercury capsule on top of a Redstone
> Rocket.  His recovery at sea was viewed by millions on
> live television.  Alan could have been the first human to fly
> in space, however, delays postponed what was to be an October,
> 1960 launch.  Safety was the concern back then as it is today.
> Alan actually had some control over the Mercury capsule including
> it's attitude.  His flight was not on autopilot.  He was very
> concerned about making a mistake as he knew everyone was depending
> on him.  His flight was a great success and a tribute to all those
> who came before him, some giving their lives as test pilots.  The
> success could not have been possible if it were not for all those
> who were involved in the design, manufacturing and assembly,
> and all things necessary to launch a spacecraft. All were American
> Patriots.
>
> I was just 15 years old in 1961 and had been licensed as a Novice
> for 3 months.  My father worked at NASA Lewis so we were very much
> aware of the tremendous effort being made to put a man in Space.
> The years that came after saw the United States fly mission after
> mission culminating with a lunar landing.  Alan Shepard would later
> command Apollo 14 and pilot the lunar lander onto the surface of the
> moon.  Alan Shepard (1923-1998) is an American Hero.
>
> Alan Shepard, the first American in Space, May 5th, 1961.  Tell your
> kids and grandkids about him.
>
> 73,
> John K8YSE
>
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