The pioneer in the American space sector died

Walter Schirra - American space pioneer, one of the first seven astronauts to explore Mercury - the astronaut group made NASA's earliest flight, died at the age of 84. He was also the only people participating in flights of the first three manned space programs of NASA: Mercury exploratory program, Gemini program and Apollo.

In 1962, he was the third American to fly into Earth orbit. Three years later, he presided over the first meeting of two spacecraft in orbit as commander of Gemini 6.

According to NASA's announcement, Schirra died of a heart attack at night 2-5 at Green Scripps Hospital in La Jolla, California. Currently only 2 astronauts participate in the program of exploring Mercury alive. The group of astronauts participating in the program was honored as a national hero by helping the US to cross the Soviet Union in the space race.

Schirra was born in 1923 in New Jersey, joined NASA in 1959. Schirra himself never set foot on the Moon but his 11-day Apollo 7 flight in 1968 was considered an important turning point for The mission to Ms Hang took place one year later.

Under everyone's eyes, he is a humorous person, a pilot and a talented astronaut.

Astronaut Walter Schirra (Photo: NASA)

WALL VY