US astronaut Scott Carpenter dies at 88

Scott Carpenter, the American astronaut who orbited the Earth in 1962, died Thursday from complications following a stroke. He was 88 , the US space agency NASA said.

"Today, the world mourns the passing of Scott Carpenter. As one of the original Mercury 7 astronauts, he was in the first vanguard of our space program," reported Xinhua citing NASA administrator Charles Bolden in a statement.

"When he became the second American to orbit the Earth, he completed his mission despite challenging circumstances," Bolden said.

"His accomplishments truly helped our nation progress in space from the earliest days to the world leadership we enjoy today. We will miss his passion, his talent and his lifelong commitment to exploration."

Carpenter was selected as one of the original seven Mercury Astronauts April 9, 1959. He flew the second American manned orbital flight May 24, 1962.