36. [Mercury Redstone 3] ALAN SHEPARD READY TO MAKE HISTORY: the first American in space minutes before launch aboard Freedom 7 Bill Taub, 5 May 1961 Printed 1961. Vintage gelatin silver print on fibre-based paper [NASA image S-61-2333]. Numbered "NASA S-61-2333" in black in the top margin (issued by NASA Headquarters, Washington, D.C.). 20.3 x 25.4 cm. (8 x 10 in.) Historical context A Historic Moment Captured: Alan Shepard Ready to Make History. This iconic photograph immortalizes astronaut Alan Shepard lying in the tight confines of his Mercury spacecraft Freedom 7 on May 5, 1961. Technical problems delayed the launch for nearly four hours, testing Shepard's patience and prompting his legendary quip: "Why don't you fix your little problem and light this candle?" Composed yet resolute in his silver pressure suit, Shepard was poised to make history, marking the United States' entry into manned space exploration. Once the issues were resolved, 500,000 spectators gathered at Cape Canaveral in awe to witness Shepard become the first American to venture into space. Captured by NASA's senior photographer Bill Taub, this image symbolizes a defining moment in space exploration. Taub, who documented every mission from Mercury to Apollo, was often one of the last people to see the astronauts before liftoff, earning the nickname "Two More Taub" for his dedication to capturing just a few extra shots. Literature TIME: 12 May 1961 (variant)