Who Is Alan Shepard? Age, Biography, and Wiki
Alan Shepard, born on November 18, 1923, was a pioneering American astronaut who became the first American to travel into space. He lived an impressive life until his passing in 1998, making significant contributions to NASA’s space exploration programs. Shepard became a lunar explorer as the commander of Apollo 14, solidifying his legacy as one of the key figures in human spaceflight history.
| Occupation | Scientists |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | November 18, 1923 |
| Age | 74 Years |
| Birth Place | Derry, New Hampshire, U.S. |
| Horoscope | Scorpio |
| Country | U.S |
| Date of death | 21 July, 1998 |
| Died Place | Pebble Beach, California, U.S. |
Popularity
Alan Shepard's Popularity over time
Height, Weight & Measurements
Details about Alan Shepard's physical stats during his lifetime reveal that he stood at an approximate height of 5 feet 10 inches (178 cm) and weighed around 160 pounds (73 kg). While specific measurements may vary over time, these vital statistics were representative of Shepard's robust and athletic build.
NASA received permission from Eisenhower to recruit its first astronauts from the ranks of military test pilots. The service records of 508 graduates of test pilot schools were obtained from the United States Department of Defense.
From these, 110 were found that matched the minimum standards: the candidates had to be younger than 40, possess a bachelor's degree or equivalent and to be 5 ft or less. While these were not all strictly enforced, the height requirement was firm, owing to the size of the Project Mercury spacecraft.
The 110 were then split into three groups, with the most promising in the first group.
Family, Dating & Relationship Status
Alan Shepard was married to Louise Brewer, with whom he had three daughters. The couple remained together until Shepard's death in 1998. As of 2025, he continues to be celebrated for his dedication to both his family and his pioneering work in space exploration. While there have been no public discussions regarding any relationships outside of his marriage, Shepard's deep bond with his family remains a focal point of his legacy.
Shepard attended Adams School in Derry, where his academic performance impressed his teachers. He skipped the sixth grade and proceeded to middle school at Oak Street School in Derry, where he also skipped the eighth grade. He achieved the Boy Scouts of America rank of First Class Scout.
In 1936, he went to the Pinkerton Academy, a private school in Derry that his father had attended and where his grandfather had been a trustee. He completed grades 9 to 12 there. Fascinated by flight, he created a model airplane club at the academy and his Christmas present in 1938 was a flight in a Douglas DC-3.
The following year he began cycling to Manchester Airfield, where he would do odd jobs in exchange for the occasional ride in an airplane or informal flying lesson.
Net Worth and Salary
Throughout his career as an astronaut, naval aviator, and businessman, Alan Shepard amassed a significant net worth. In 2025, it is estimated that his legacy continues to inspire and contribute to financial investments in aerospace ventures. While precise figures regarding his net worth during his lifetime are difficult to determine, sources suggest it reached millions through various business pursuits and endorsements.
Career, Business, and Investments
Alan Shepard's career trajectory is monumental. After serving in the U.S. Navy during World War II, he joined NASA in 1959. His historic flight aboard the Freedom 7 in 1961 marked a pivotal moment for America in the Space Race. Following his missions, Shepard took on managerial roles, contributing to various programs within NASA. Post-NASA, he founded several successful businesses, particularly in the aerospace sector, further bolstering his financial portfolio.
On Shepard's second cruise with Cogswell, he was appointed a gunnery officer, responsible for the 20 mm and 40 mm antiaircraft guns on the ship's bow. They engaged kamikazes in the Battle of Okinawa, where the ship served in the dangerous role of a radar picket.
The job of the radar pickets was to warn the fleet of incoming kamikazes, but because they were often the first ships sighted by incoming Japanese aircraft, they were also the most likely ships to be attacked. Cogswell performed this duty from May 27 until June 26, 1945, when it rejoined Task Force 38.
The ship also participated in the Allied naval bombardments of Japan, and was present in Tokyo Bay for the Surrender of Japan in September 1945. Shepard returned to the United States later that month.
Social Network
Although Alan Shepard passed away in 1998, his legacy endures through online communities and social networks dedicated to space exploration. His contributions are frequently discussed across platforms like Twitter, Facebook, and specialized forums. These channels ensure that future generations recognize and honor his impactful career.
Shepard was assigned to Fighter Squadron 42 (VF-42), flying the Vought F4U Corsair. The squadron was nominally based on the aircraft carrier USS Franklin D. Roosevelt (CV-42), but the ship was being overhauled at the time Shepard arrived, and in the meantime the squadron was based at Naval Air Station Norfolk in Virginia.
He departed on his first cruise, of the Caribbean, on Franklin D. Roosevelt with VF-42 in 1948. Most of the aviators were, like Shepard, on their first assignment. Those who were not were given the opportunity to qualify for night landings on a carrier, a dangerous maneuver, especially in a Corsair, which had to bank sharply on approach.
Shepard managed to persuade his squadron commander to allow him to qualify as well. After briefly returning to Norfolk, the carrier set out on a nine-month tour of the Mediterranean Sea. He earned a reputation for carousing and chasing women. He also instituted a ritual of, whenever he could, calling Louise at 17:00 (her time) each day.
Education
Shepard’s educational background includes a Bachelor of Science degree in Naval Science from the United States Naval Academy, obtained in 1944. His rigorous training as a military pilot laid the foundation for his future achievements with NASA, enabling him to participate in the early stages of human spaceflight.
In conclusion, Alan Shepard's contributions to space exploration, along with his personal life and achievements, continue to resonate even in 2025. His story remains an inspiration, showcasing the enduring spirit of human exploration and adventure.
A graduate of the United States Naval Academy at Annapolis, Shepard saw action with the surface navy during World War II. He became a naval aviator in 1947, and a test pilot in 1950.
He was selected as one of the original NASA Mercury Seven astronauts in 1959, and in May 1961 he made the first crewed Project Mercury flight, Mercury-Redstone 3, in a spacecraft he named Freedom 7. His craft entered space, but was not capable of achieving orbit. He became the second person, and the first American, to travel into space.
In the final stages of Project Mercury, Shepard was scheduled to pilot the Mercury-Atlas 10 (MA-10), which was planned as a three-day mission. He named Mercury Spacecraft 15B Freedom 7 II in honor of his first spacecraft, but the mission was canceled.
