And we lose a space pioneer, a living symbol of the bright promise of tomorrow.
http://www.cnn.com/2004/TECH/space/10/04/gordon.cooper/index.html
Not Gordo…
I’m sorry to hear that. Another hero gone. Now there’s only three of the original Mercury Seven left: John Glenn, Scott Carpenter and Wally Schirra.
Glenn’s not looking too good these days. I have the feeling he’s only hanging on until a Democrat gets into the White House.
I teared up when I heard this news… I hope he heard the news about Spaceship One.
“On that glorious day in May 1963 Gordo Cooper went higher, farther and faster than any other American; 22 complete orbits around the world. He was the last American to go into space alone and for a brief moment, Gordo Cooper became the greatest pilot anyone had ever seen.”
You truly had the right stuff alright Mr. Cooper. Rest in Peace.
That’s a shame - to me, the astronauts are the only clean, real heroes of the modern age.
Dennis Quaid played him in The Right Stuff, just to refresh your memories.
Wow – SS1, Sputnik, and this on the same day.
Brian
Sputnik? 
The original Sputnik was launched on Oct 4, 1957. SS1 and Gordo’s passing occured on the anniversary.
Wow, Gordo “Hot Dog” Cooper! What a shame.
Didn’t he have a stroke a few years back? Did that contribute to his death?
It was odd seeing him and Janet Leigh side by side in the Times today—both 77 years old, too.
I’lldrink a toast tonight to Gordon Cooper. He was a true pioneer…may he rest in peace.
Anyway, I was just thinking…suppose Project mercury took place in the early 1950’s…where would we be today?
Good. I want him to live to a ripe old age…
Godspeed, Gordo. I’ll never forget the man who was the greatest pilot I ever saw.
Only three of the Mercury 7 are left now: Glenn, Schirra, and Carpenter.
Hell, no—I think they should shoot his ashes into orbit. What better “burial” for him? If ashes could say, “whooo-hooooo!!!”
And I realize that Santos L Halper already noticed that… :smack: