Echoes Among the Stars: The Original Website
The First Era in Space, 1957-1975
Mercury: Friendship 7
February 20, 1962
America in Orbit: John Glenn and Friendship 7
John Glenn climbs aboard the Friendship 7 Mercury capsule. Glenn became the first American to orbit the earth, following the first two suborbital Mercury missions into space. During his flight of nearly five hours, Glenn described the wonder of spaceflight and his magnificent view of the earth to an enthralled audience ‘back home.’ NASA photo.
Friendship 7 Comes Through
During the flight, a faulty switch indicated that Friendship 7’s heat shield, necessary for a safe passage through the fiery reentry into earth’s atmosphere, had come loose. Although the warning later proved false, the chance that the capsule might not survive the trip made the reentry a frightening ordeal for everyone waiting for word of Glenn’s safe return. NASA photo.
Space Age Icons
With his historic Friendship 7 mission, John Glenn became one of America’s most endearing heroes, and a national figure who represented the best instincts of the space age to many Americans. He is pictured here shaking hands with President John F. Kennedy; their shared interest in the space program led them to become close friends. NASA photo.
