After becoming the first American in space on May 5, 1961, Alan Shepard was diagnosed with an inner-ear condition, known as Meniere's syndrome, which causes impaired balance and attacks of vertigo. This condition had no known treatment and grounded Shepard not only from space flight, but even from solo airplane flight. In the summer of 1968, Shepard underwent a risky, experimental surgery to correct the condition; it worked, and in spring of 1969 he left his position as Chief Astronaut to return to flight status and the Apollo mission rotation. Two years later, it came as no surprise to anyone that Alan Shepard's first words when stepping onto the Moon's surface were, "It's been a long way, but we're here."
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Last updated 9 March 2004.
All text and photographs © George Mitchell and Margaret Johnston, unless
otherwise noted
Comments, questions, suggestions to margaret@lonelymountain.net.