Three weeks later, on May 5, 1961, Alan Shepard became the first American in space, launched in a ballistic trajectory on Mercury-Redstone 3, in a spacecraft he named Freedom 7. Though he did not achieve orbit like Gagarin, he was the first person to exercise manual control over his spacecraft's attitude and retro-rocket firing. After his successful return, Shepard was celebrated as a national hero, honored with parades in Washington, New York and Los Angeles, and received the NASA Distinguished Service Medal from President John F. Kennedy. COUNT 5
QSN1 The first American to travel into space was whom? ANS1 Alan Shepard QSN2 When did Alan Shepard first arrive in space? ANS2 May 5, 1961 QSN3 The spaceship that carried Alan Shepard was named what? ANS3 Freedom 7 QSN4 The first person to have control over driving their spacecraft was whom? ANS4 Alan Shepard QSN5 Which president awarded Alan Shepard the NASA Distinguished Service Medal? ANS5 John F. Kennedy