Michael B. Gordon Mercury Photographs Collection

The Michael B. Gordon Mercury Photographs Collection is a small collection consisting of 11 4x5" black-and-white photographs depicting the preparation and recovery of the Mercury-Redstone 3 flight of Alan B. Shepard in 1961. The images show: technicians assisting Shepard with his spacesuit prior to launch; Shepard seated in Freedom 7 capsule prior to launch; Shepard being hoisted aboard Sikorsky S-58 helicopter after Freedom 7 splashdown; a Sikorsky S-58 helicopter recovering Freedom 7 capsule; the Sikorsky S-58 helicopter delivering Freedom 7 capsule to USS Lake Champlain; servicemen gathered around Freedom 7 capsule; Shepard in test seat; and Shepard receiving a medical exam. The images were taken by an unidentified member of the mission recovery team.