USNS Alan Shepard (T-AKE-3) is a Lewis and Clark-class dry cargo ship in the United States Navy. It is named for astronaut Rear Admiral Alan Shepard (1923 - 1998). The contract to build it was awarded to National Steel and Shipbuilding Company (NASSCO) of San Diego, on 16 July 2002. Construction began on 13 September 2005. It was launched 6 December 2006, sponsored by Laura Churchley, daughter of RAdm. Shepard. It is scheduled to be part of the Pacific Fleet.