The Minority Report

48 years ago today, the US launched their first human to space. Alan Shepard flew on Mercury 3, a suborbital mission with a duration of only 15 minutes and 28 seconds. Shepard’s ship, Freedom 7, reached an altitude of 116.5 statute miles (186.4 km) and flew a distance of 303 statute miles (485 km). Enjoy this great video, which includes original footage, as well as Shepard talking about the flight. He also gives the real story about the “request to relieve himself” which was made famous in the movie “The Right Stuff.” Shepard also flew on Apollo 14 (and made the famous golf shot on the moon.) He passed away in 1998.
Alan Shepard, Freedom 7: May 5, 1961 | Universe Today