John Glenn Space Flight

Many baby boomers grew up fascinated by the space program and the astronauts. I was one of those kids who loved watching the rocket launches and sending away for pictures from NASA.

In April 1959 Glenn was assigned to the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) as one of the original group of Mercury astronauts for the Mercury Project. During this time, he remained an officer in the Marine Corps. He piloted the first American manned orbital mission aboard Friendship 7 on February 20, 1962.

After completing three orbits, the "Mercury Atlas 6" mission, lasting 4 hours, 55 minutes, and 23 seconds. During the mission there was concern that his heat shield had failed and that his craft would burn up on re-entry but he did return safely. Glenn was celebrated as a national hero, and received a ticker-tape parade reminiscent of Lindbergh.