When Americans looked to the heavens during the Space Race, they saw heroes in helmets and space suits. One of them, astronaut Leroy “Gordon” Cooper, was also a proud Freemason whose journey carried the Square and Compasses farther than ever before.
Born in Oklahoma in 1927, Cooper served as a test pilot before joining NASA’s Mercury program. In 1963, he piloted Faith 7, the final Mercury mission, orbiting the Earth 22 times. Two years later, he commanded Gemini 5, helping pave the way for the Apollo missions that would eventually reach the Moon.
What many don’t know is that Cooper was raised a Master Mason in Carbondale Lodge No. 82 in Colorado and later became a member of the Scottish Rite and Shriners. He carried with him into space a special Masonic flag, making Masonry part of humanity’s first steps into the cosmos. His Masonic pride was so well known that rumors circulated about a secret “Masonic moon mission”—though Cooper himself always spoke of Masonry with humility and respect, not secrecy.
As both an astronaut and a Brother, Cooper exemplified the Masonic virtues of courage, curiosity, and perseverance. He was a man who literally sought more light—not only through science and exploration but also through the teachings of the Craft.
Today, Gordon Cooper’s story reminds us that Masons can be found in every field of human endeavor—even among the stars. His legacy calls on us to aim higher, dream bigger, and remember that the search for light has no boundaries.
