What year did Alan Shepard fly into space?

Alan Shepard made history by becoming the first American to travel into space on May 5, 1961, during the Mercury-Redstone 3 mission, famously known as Freedom 7. This flight lasted about 15 minutes and reached an altitude of approximately 116.5 miles (187.5 kilometers). Shepard's mission marked a significant milestone in the space race and U.S. space exploration efforts. The successful completion of this mission was pivotal in establishing the United States as a key player in human spaceflight, providing valuable data and experience that would inform future missions.