The date was May 5, 1961. Twenty-three days earlier the Soviet Cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin had become the first human being in space. The United States was eager to answer. Astronaut Alan B. Shepard was selected for the mission. He was to pilot the Freedom 7 Mercury capsule. The rocket ship carrying his capsule lifted off from Cape Canaveral at 9:34 a.m. The flight lasted just 15 minutes and 22 seconds, but Shepard achieved a sub-orbital trajectory, making him the first American and the second human being in space.

Upon seeing the Earth for the first time from that vantage point, he radioed to the ground, “What a beautiful view.”

His craft splashed down 302 miles east of Cape Canaveral. Shepard was retrieved by helicopter and transported to the air craft carrier USS Lake Champlain.

He later famously said, “It’s a very sobering feeling to be up in space and realize that one’s safety factor was determined by the lowest bidder on a government contract.”

Later Shepard commanded Apollo 14 and, at the age of 47, became the fifth and oldest man to walk on the moon. He retired from the US Navy as a Rear Admiral.

The following video shows the entire mission beginning with Shepard entering the spacecraft through is rescue at sea.

Never stop seeking your truth!

Ray

Ray Davis is an author, thinker, and advocate for human potential. He is the author of the Anunnaki Awakening series. Signed copies of Book 1, Revelation, are now available within the U.S. from his website, AATrilogy.com or outside the US from Amazon or by order from your local bookstore.