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The Mercury spacecraft, named Friendship 7, was carried to orbit by an Atlas LV-3B launch vehicle lifting off from Launch Complex 14 at Cape Canaveral, Florida. After three orbits, the spacecraft re-entered the Earth's atmosphere, splashed down in the North Atlantic Ocean, and was safely taken aboard USS Noa.
On February 20, 1962, John H. Glenn, Jr., became the first American to orbit Earth. An Atlas launch vehicle propelled a Mercury spacecraft into Earth orbit and enabled Glenn to circle Earth three times.
Feb 12, 2024 · Learn about the first American in orbit, John Glenn, who circled Earth three times in 1962. Find out the launch date, duration, orbit altitude, and mission highlights of this historic flight.
Feb 10, 2017 · See close-up images and learn about the features of the spacecraft that John Glenn piloted in 1962, becoming the first American to orbit Earth. Find out how the heat shield, the flag, the seat, and the instruments worked during the historic mission.
Jun 26, 2017 · Read the official flight transcript of John Glenn's 1962 spaceflight, the first American to orbit the Earth. Learn how he overcame the challenges of a failed autopilot, a loose heat shield, and a dangerous reentry.
Reserve Passes. Donate Now. One museum, two locations Visit us in Washington, DC and Chantilly, VA to explore hundreds of the world’s most significant objects in aviation and space history. Free timed-entry passes are required for the Museum in DC.
Feb 16, 2012 · Learn how the Friendship 7 space capsule, which orbited the earth with John Glenn in 1962, became a symbol of American space power and openness in a worldwide exhibition. See how millions of people around the world flocked to see the capsule and what it meant for the Cold War and the U.S. space program.
