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A Sikorsky UH-34 helicopter
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A Sikorsky UH-34 helicopter
A Sikorsky UH-34 helicopter lifts the Mercury capsule, Freedom 7, out of the Atlantic following the first US sub-orbital spaceflight carrying astronaut Alan B. Shepard. 5 May 1961. Date: 1961
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Media ID 9888763
© Mary Evans Picture Library 2015 - https://copyrighthub.org/s0/hub1/creation/maryevans/MaryEvansPictureID/10839280
Alan Astronaut Atlantic Capsule Freedom Helicopter Lifts Mercury Orbital Shepard Sikorsky Spaceflight
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In this historic moment captured on film, a Sikorsky UH-34 Chickasaw helicopter lifts the Mercury capsule, Freedom 7, out of the Atlantic Ocean following the first sub-orbital spaceflight by an American astronaut, Alan B. Shepard. The date was May 5, 1961. After reaching an altitude of 116 miles and traveling 302 miles during a 15-minute flight, Shepard's spacecraft splashed down in the Atlantic, marking the successful completion of the NASA's Project Mercury, the United States' first manned spaceflight program. The helicopter, a Sikorsky UH-34 Chickasaw, played a crucial role in the recovery operation. Its powerful rotors were able to lift the Mercury capsule, which weighed approximately 3,000 pounds, out of the water and transport it to the USS Lakehurst, a recovery ship that was waiting to bring Shepard back to shore. The image captures the moment of triumph as the helicopter, with its distinctive twin-engine design and distinctive "Jolly Green Giant" paint scheme, hovers above the water, the Mercury capsule securely attached beneath it. In the background, the USS Lakehurst can be seen, its deck ready to receive the capsule and its precious cargo. This photograph is a testament to the ingenuity and teamwork of the engineers, pilots, and astronauts who made this groundbreaking achievement possible. It is a reminder of the incredible progress made in space exploration during the early days of the Space Age and the vital role that helicopters played in the recovery of astronauts and their spacecraft.
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