# Gordon Cooper

> American astronaut (1927–2004)

**Wikidata**: [Q312833](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q312833)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gordon_Cooper)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/gordon-cooper

## Summary

Gordon Cooper was born on March 6, 1927, in Shawnee[1][2][3][4][5][6][7] and died on October 4, 2004, in Ventura[8][1][2][3][4][5][7]. He held United States citizenship.Cooper's education included attending Murray High School, the University of Hawaiʻi System, and the U.S. Air Force Test Pilot School.He received numerous awards throughout his career, including the Distinguished Flying Cross[9][10][11], Legionnaire of Legion of Merit[9][10][11], Harmon Trophy[9][10][11], NASA Distinguished Service Medal[9][10][11], and was inducted into both the United States Astronaut Hall of Fame[9][10][11] and the International Space Hall of Fame[9][10][11].

## Summary
Gordon Cooper was an American astronaut (1927–2004) who served as a pilot and command module pilot on NASA's Mercury-Atlas 9 mission, the final flight of the Mercury program. He became the first American to orbit Earth and the third human to complete an orbital spaceflight, following Soviet cosmonauts Yuri Gagarin and Gherman Titov.

## Biography
- Born: March 6, 1927, in Shawnee, Oklahoma, United States
- Nationality: United States
- Education:
  - Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering, University of Michigan (1948)
  - Master of Science in Aeronautical Engineering, California Institute of Technology (1949)
- Known for: First American to orbit Earth and the third human to complete an orbital spaceflight
- Employer(s): National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)
- Field(s): Astronautics, aerospace engineering

## Contributions
- **Mercury-Atlas 9 Mission (1963)**: Cooper piloted the Faith 7 spacecraft, completing 22 orbits around Earth in 5 hours and 30 minutes. The mission achieved the primary goal of the Mercury program: demonstrating human spaceflight in Earth orbit.
- **Test Pilot**: Cooper served as a test pilot for the U.S. Air Force, flying over 100 different aircraft types and accumulating 10,000 flight hours.
- **Awards**: Received the Harmon Trophy (1963), Distinguished Flying Cross, and NASA Distinguished Service Medal for his contributions to aerospace.

## FAQs
**What was Gordon Cooper's most famous achievement?**
Gordon Cooper became the first American to orbit Earth and the third human to complete an orbital spaceflight, following Soviet cosmonauts Yuri Gagarin and Gherman Titov. His Mercury-Atlas 9 mission in 1963 marked the successful conclusion of NASA's Mercury program.

**Where did Gordon Cooper work?**
Cooper worked for the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) as an astronaut and later as a test pilot for the U.S. Air Force. He also served as a professor at the University of Hawaiʻi System.

**What awards did Gordon Cooper receive?**
Cooper received the Harmon Trophy (1963), Distinguished Flying Cross, and NASA Distinguished Service Medal for his contributions to aerospace and space exploration.

**What was Gordon Cooper's educational background?**
Cooper earned a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Michigan (1948) and a Master of Science in Aeronautical Engineering from the California Institute of Technology (1949).

## Why They Matter
Gordon Cooper's Mercury-Atlas 9 mission in 1963 was a pivotal moment in the Space Race, demonstrating that the United States could achieve human spaceflight in Earth orbit. His flight, which lasted 5 hours and 30 minutes, provided critical data for NASA's Gemini and Apollo programs. Cooper's achievements helped solidify the U.S. as a leader in space exploration and inspired future generations of astronauts. His legacy continues to influence aerospace engineering and space policy today.

## Notable For
- First American to orbit Earth (1963)
- Third human to complete an orbital spaceflight
- Harmon Trophy recipient (1963)
- NASA Distinguished Service Medal recipient
- U.S. Air Force test pilot with over 10,000 flight hours
- Member of the Mercury Seven astronaut group
- Professor at the University of Hawaiʻi System

## Body
### Early Life and Education
Gordon Cooper was born on March 6, 1927, in Shawnee, Oklahoma. He earned a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Michigan in 1948 and a Master of Science in Aeronautical Engineering from the California Institute of Technology in 1949. His academic background laid the foundation for his career in aerospace engineering.

### Military and Test Pilot Career
Cooper served as a test pilot for the U.S. Air Force, flying over 100 different aircraft types and accumulating 10,000 flight hours. He was a distinguished flying cross recipient and a member of the U.S. Air Force Test Pilot School. His military experience provided valuable skills for his later work as an astronaut.

### NASA Astronaut Career
Cooper was selected as one of the original seven astronauts for NASA's Mercury program, known as the Mercury Seven. He piloted the Faith 7 spacecraft on the Mercury-Atlas 9 mission, which was the final flight of the Mercury program. The mission achieved the primary goal of the Mercury program: demonstrating human spaceflight in Earth orbit.

### Spaceflight and Achievements
On May 15, 1963, Cooper launched into space aboard the Faith 7 spacecraft, completing 22 orbits around Earth in 5 hours and 30 minutes. His flight made him the first American to orbit Earth and the third human to complete an orbital spaceflight. The mission provided critical data for NASA's Gemini and Apollo programs.

### Awards and Recognition
Cooper received the Harmon Trophy in 1963, the Distinguished Flying Cross, and the NASA Distinguished Service Medal for his contributions to aerospace and space exploration. He was also inducted into the United States Astronaut Hall of Fame.

### Later Career and Legacy
After his NASA career, Cooper served as a professor at the University of Hawaiʻi System. He continued to contribute to aerospace engineering and space policy. His legacy as a pioneer in space exploration continues to inspire future generations of astronauts and engineers.

## References

1. [Source](https://searchpub.nssc.nasa.gov/servlet/sm.web.Fetch/Agency_Awards_Historical_Recipient_List.pdf?rhid=1000&did=2120817&type=released)
2. [Source](https://www.nmspacemuseum.org/inductee/leroy-g-cooper-jr/)
3. [Hall to Induct Seven Space Pioneers. Albuquerque Journal. 1981](https://www.newspapers.com/clip/29986892/albuquerque_journal/)
4. International Standard Name Identifier
5. [Source](http://www.nasa.gov/centers/kennedy/about/history/mercury7.html)
6. [Source](http://www.spacefacts.de/english/e_first.htm)
7. [Source](https://planet4589.org/space/astro/rides.html)
8. SNAC
9. Find a Grave
10. Encyclopædia Britannica Online
11. Internet Speculative Fiction Database
12. Croatian Encyclopedia
13. Proleksis Encyclopedia
14. Munzinger Personen
15. [Source](http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2004-10-04-cooper-obit_x.htm)
16. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
17. Virtual International Authority File
18. The Movie Database