Astronaut Scott Carpenter Dead at 88

Scott Carpenter, the second American astronaut to orbit Earth died on Thursday, according to The Associated Press. He was 88.

Carpenter, who was one of the Mercury Seven astronauts that went into space in May 1962, died of complications from a stroke.

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"We, the whole NASA family, are mourning with Scott's family. We have lost a true pioneer," NASA Administrator Charlie Bolden said, according to CNN. "I shall long remember him not only for his smarts and courage but his incredible humor. He kept us all grounded. We will miss him greatly."

Carpenter's memoir about his orbit around the Earth, For Spacious Skies: The Uncommon Journey of a Mercury Astronaut, was released in 2003.

Following Carpenter's death, John Glenn is now the only living member of the Mercury Seven.