Topic: Gordon Cooper, NASA Mercury pioneer, dies

[The Postman]

Gordon Cooper, NASA Mercury pioneer, dies
10/4/2004, 7:32 p.m. ET
The Associated Press   

VENTURA, Calif. (AP) ? Gordon Cooper, one of the original Mercury astronauts who were pioneers in human space exploration, has died. He was 77. Cooper died Monday at his home in Ventura, NASA officials said in a statement.

"As one of the original seven Mercury astronauts, Gordon Cooper was one of the faces of America's fledgling space program," said NASA Administrator Sean O'Keefe. "He truly portrayed the right stuff, and he helped gain the backing and enthusiasm of the American public, so critical for the spirit of exploration. My thoughts and prayers are with Gordon's family during this difficult time."

Cooper piloted the final flight of the Mercury program, the United States' first manned spaceflight program that had the primary goal of putting a man in orbit around Earth.

Born March 6, 1927, in Shawnee, Okla., Cooper was selected as a Mercury astronaut in April 1959. The astronauts became heroes in the space race between the United States and the Soviet Union.

[Sirgod]

The man was a Legend, and Was thoroughly Pissed When A Senetor Demanded that the Plans to the Saturn V's be destroyed.  There Is no doubt He's in a Better place, as He's already Seen the Heavens.

Stephen

[Capt_Bearslayer_XC]

The end of an era.... to go along with the begining of a new era....

Rest in Peace.

[Matsukasi]

' Who was the best pilot I ever saw? Well, you're lookin' at him! '

Thanks for your service, Gordo.