The sky on
your birthday.
Shepard Flies Freedom 7
Forty years ago today, on May 5, 1961, Alan Shepard arced into space atop a Redstone rocket. This picture shows Shepard in his pressure suit inside his cramped space capsule, named "Freedom 7." The flight of Freedom 7, the first space flight by an American, was broadcast live globally. It followed less than a month after Yuri Gagarin's first human venture into space.
We cannot put this date's photograph on paper at poster size. We can print the nearest public archive plate to your date instead.
See print sizesPrinted, shipped and sold by Zazzle
Released on your day
Space pictures released on your month and day in other years, or a few days either side. Each one is sharp enough to print as a poster.
-
The Earth on your day The Earth on 5 May 2001 · Bahamas See it as a poster -
Released on 5 May 2025 There is an impostor in this nebula See it as a poster -
Released on 5 May 2010 The cluster of galaxies Abell 315 See it as a poster -
Released on 5 May 2025 Face to face with a spiral’s arms See it as a poster -
Released on 5 May 2010 Around Abell 315 See it as a poster -
Released on 5 May 2014 The scale of the Universe See it as a poster
In tropical astrology, 5 MAY 2001 falls under Taurus (♉). The sign's window runs from 04-20 through 05-20. Taurus holds the Pleiades star cluster and Aldebaran, the red giant that marks the eye of the Bull. The Sun was crossing this region of the sky on 5 MAY 2001.
Questions about May 5, 2001
What space photo was released on May 5, 2001?
NASA's Astronomy Picture of the Day for May 5, 2001 was "Shepard Flies Freedom 7". It's the card at the top of this page.
What was the Moon's phase on May 5, 2001?
A waxing gibbous moon, about 93% lit.
What day of the week was May 5, 2001?
May 5, 2001 was a Saturday, day 125 of the 365 days in 2001.
Was there a meteor shower on May 5, 2001?
Yes: the Eta Aquariid shower, peaks tomorrow.
What did the Sun and the Earth look like on May 5, 2001?
NASA's Terra satellite photographed the whole Earth that day. It's on this page, next to the card.
Is it free?
Yes. Seeing, sharing and downloading the card is free, and there's no account to make.