American astronaut (1927–2004) From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Leroy Gordon "Gordo" Cooper Jr. (March 6, 1927 – October 4, 2004) was an American aerospace engineer, test pilot, United States Air Force pilot, and the youngest of the seven original astronauts in Project Mercury, the first human space program of the United States.
Gordon Cooper | |
---|---|
Born | Leroy Gordon Cooper Jr. March 6, 1927 Shawnee, Oklahoma, U.S. |
Died | October 4, 2004 77) Ventura, California, U.S. | (aged
Nationality | United States |
Alma mater | University of Hawaii University of Maryland Air Force Institute of Technology, B.S. 1956 |
Occupation | Test pilot |
Awards | Legion of Merit Distinguished Flying Cross (2) NASA Distinguished Service Medal NASA Exceptional Service Medal |
Space career | |
NASA Astronaut | |
Rank | Colonel, USAF |
Time in space | 9d 09h 14m |
Selection | 1959 NASA Group 1 |
Missions | Mercury-Atlas 9, Gemini 5 |
Mission insignia | |
Retirement | July 31, 1970 |
Cooper died at age 77 from heart failure at his home in Ventura, California, on October 4, 2004.[1]
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