We just learned about the First Human in Space - Yuri Gagarin.
The first American to go into outer space was Alan Shepard.
![alan shepard](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/a/ac/Alan-shepard.jpg)
(from: wikipedia - alan shepard)
He flew in a spacecraft called the Freedom 7, on May 5, 1961.
![freedom 7](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/9/9a/Alan_Shepard_in_capsule_aboard_Freedom_7_before_launch.jpg/314px-Alan_Shepard_in_capsule_aboard_Freedom_7_before_launch.jpg)
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.
![john glenn](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/e/e3/John_Glenn_Low_Res.jpg/378px-John_Glenn_Low_Res.jpg)
His spacecraft was called the Friendship 7
![freedom 7](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/9/93/GPN-2000-001027.jpg/315px-GPN-2000-001027.jpg)
(from: wikipedia john glenn)