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Story
November 14, 1962
The Nome Nugget
Nome, Nome County, Alaska
What is this article about?
Astronaut Leroy Gordon Cooper Jr. named pilot for upcoming U.S. manned space flight in April, orbiting Earth 18 times. Alan Shepard Jr. as backup. Cooper, 35, from Shawnee, Okla., is the last Mercury astronaut yet to fly.
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George Cooper Jr.
Named Pilot for
Next Space Flight
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. (AP) -
Astronaut Leroy Gordon Cooper Jr. Tuesday was named pilot for the next U.S. manned space flight, a one-day mission scheduled next April.
The National Aeronautics and Space Administration announced selection of the 35-year-old Air Force major for the flight which will take him 18 times around the world.
Astronaut Alan Shepard Jr., the first American to ride a rocket into space, was named Cooper's backup pilot. Shepard made a 15-minute sub-orbital space trip on May 5, 1961.
Cooper, a native of Shawnee, Okla., was the standby pilot on the recent six-orbit flight of spaceman Walter Schirra Jr. Schirra's flight is the longest American manned space mission to date.
Cooper is the only eligible member of the seven-man Mercury astronaut team who has not made a space flight.
Five of the astronauts have been rocketed into space. Donald Slayton was grounded earlier this year because of a heart flutter.
Named Pilot for
Next Space Flight
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. (AP) -
Astronaut Leroy Gordon Cooper Jr. Tuesday was named pilot for the next U.S. manned space flight, a one-day mission scheduled next April.
The National Aeronautics and Space Administration announced selection of the 35-year-old Air Force major for the flight which will take him 18 times around the world.
Astronaut Alan Shepard Jr., the first American to ride a rocket into space, was named Cooper's backup pilot. Shepard made a 15-minute sub-orbital space trip on May 5, 1961.
Cooper, a native of Shawnee, Okla., was the standby pilot on the recent six-orbit flight of spaceman Walter Schirra Jr. Schirra's flight is the longest American manned space mission to date.
Cooper is the only eligible member of the seven-man Mercury astronaut team who has not made a space flight.
Five of the astronauts have been rocketed into space. Donald Slayton was grounded earlier this year because of a heart flutter.
What sub-type of article is it?
Historical Event
Personal Triumph
What themes does it cover?
Exploration
Triumph
What keywords are associated?
Astronaut Selection
Space Flight
Mercury Program
Nasa Announcement
Orbital Mission
What entities or persons were involved?
Leroy Gordon Cooper Jr.
Alan Shepard Jr.
Walter Schirra Jr.
Donald Slayton
Where did it happen?
Cape Canaveral, Fla.
Story Details
Key Persons
Leroy Gordon Cooper Jr.
Alan Shepard Jr.
Walter Schirra Jr.
Donald Slayton
Location
Cape Canaveral, Fla.
Event Date
Tuesday; Next April
Story Details
Leroy Gordon Cooper Jr. selected as pilot for one-day orbital mission next April, orbiting 18 times. Alan Shepard Jr. as backup. Cooper, last unflown Mercury astronaut, was standby for Schirra's recent flight.