John Glenn Orbited 50 Years Ago Today

60-Second Space | Space

On February 20, 1962, John Glenn went to space, becoming the first American in orbit and a national icon. John Matson reports.

February 20, 2012

More 60-Second Space

Subscribe via iTunes

?This is Friendship 7. Have beautiful view of the African Coast.?

That was astronaut John Glenn reporting back to Earth from the Friendship 7 capsule on February 20th, 1962. Exactly 50 years ago.

?The horizon is a brilliant, brilliant blue.?

Minutes earlier, he had become the first American to enter orbit around the Earth, and the second person overall after Soviet cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin.

By 1962 Glenn was already a decorated fighter pilot who flew in World War II and Korea. He later served as a U.S. Senator for almost 25 years. And in 1998, at age 77, John Glenn returned to orbit on space shuttle Discovery. He's now 90 years old and is participating in a number of NASA events to commemorate his landmark flight.

One thing Glenn learned on that first trip to orbit 50 years ago?when you're zooming along at 17,000 miles per hour, day turns to night pretty quickly.

?That was sure a short day.?

?Say again, Friendship 7.?

?That was about the shortest day I've ever run into.?

?Time passes rapidly, eh??

?Yes Sir.?

?John Matson

[The above text is a transcript of this podcast]

For all the audio between Glenn and ground, go to http://science.ksc.nasa.gov/history/mercury/ma-6/sounds/

Source: http://rss.sciam.com/click.phdo?i=f4aeefd0dcd347df4b7810ce572e4248

paris jackson paris jackson howard stern americas got talent china aircraft carrier barbara walters most fascinating person 2011 golden globe nominations los angeles clippers