First American in Space 1962

Redstone Rocket Takes Off with Alan Sheparad on board

On July 21st, 1961 Alan Shepard became the first American in space. Shepard's flight lasted only 15 minutes. Earlier in the year, President Kennedy had announced the goal of landing a man on the moon by the end of the decade, and on February 20th, 1962, John Glenn became the first American to go into orbit.