Original Merucry Astronaut dies
 

I believe he was played by Dennis Quaid in the movie The Right Stuff.

VENTURA, Calif. - Gordon Cooper, who as one of the original Mercury astronauts was a pioneer in human space exploration, has died. He was 77.

http://news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/ap/obit_cooper

Cue Rocket Man song.

At least the day he died, is an imporant day for space exploration. Today Space Ship one won the X prize. Hope he got to see the launch before he died.

American Hero. All of them really. One of the best role models in American history.