The rocket had worked perfectly, and all I had to do was survive the reentry forces. You do it all, in a flight like that, in a rather short period of time, just 16 minutes as a matter of fact. Alan Shepard factflightforce Change image and share on social
It's a very sobering feeling to be up in space and realize that one's safety factor was determined by the lowest bidder on a government contract. Alan Shepard biddercontractdetermine Change image and share on social
You've done it in the simulator so many times, you don't have a real sense of being excited when the flight is going on. You're excited before, but as soon as the liftoff occurs, you are busy doing what you have to do. Alan Shepard busyexciteflight share on social
Of course, in our grade school, in those days, there were no organized sports at all. We just went out and ran around the school yard for recess. Alan Shepard daygradeorganize Change image and share on social
Whether you are an astronomer or a life scientist, geophysicist, or a pilot, you've got to be there because you believe you are good in your field, and you can contribute, not because you are going to get a lot of fame or whatever when you get back. Alan Shepard astronomerbackcontribute share on social
Obviously I was challenged by becoming a Naval aviator, by landing aboard aircraft carriers and so on. Alan Shepard aboardaircraftaviator Change image and share on social
I didn't mind studying. Obviously math and the physical science subjects interested me more than some of the more artistic subjects, but I think I was a pretty good student. Alan Shepard artisticgoodinterest Change image and share on social
Then there was the challenge to keep doing better and better, to fly the best test flight that anybody had ever flown. That led to my being recognized as one of the more experienced test pilots, and that led to the astronaut business. Alan Shepard astronautbusinesschallenge share on social
We worked with the engineers in the design and construction and testing phases in those various areas, then we would get back together at the end of the week and brief each other as to what had gone on. Alan Shepard areabackconstruction share on social
The first plane ride was in a homemade glider my buddy and I built. Unfortunately we didn't get more than four feet off the ground, because it crashed. Alan Shepard buddybuildcrash Change image and share on social
