A NASA Mercury capsule being constructed in 1959. On May 5, 1961, aboard the Mercury capsule named Freedom 7, Alan Shepard became the first American, and the second person, to travel into space.




Previously:

1960 C-119J mid-air recovery of satellite capsule - photo and video
Catching a satellite in orbit - GIF
NASA Go Navigator lifts SpaceX Dragon 2 capsule from water - GIF
Wernher von Braun and the Saturn V - photo
Von Braun Ferry Rocket - photo