We just learned about the First Human in Space - Yuri Gagarin.
The first American to go into outer space was Alan Shepard.
(from: wikipedia - alan shepard)
He flew in a spacecraft called the Freedom 7, on May 5, 1961.
Alan Shepard made it into outer space, but did not orbit the earth like a satellite.
The first American to orbit the earth was John Glenn.
He orbited the earth three times.
His spacecraft was called the Friendship 7
(from: wikipedia john glenn)