John Glenn Circles the Earth

On February 20, 1962, John Glenn became the first American to orbit the Earth, a milestone that transformed the United States space program. Flying aboard the Mercury capsule Friendship 7, Glenn circled the planet three times, proving that an American astronaut could survive and function in orbit. His flight came at a critical moment in the Cold War, when the United States was racing to catch up with the Soviet Union in space. The mission was not without danger.

During reentry, controllers feared that the capsule’s heat shield might be loose, raising the possibility that Glenn would burn up as he returned through the atmosphere. Following instructions, he kept the retrorocket pack attached during descent, and the shield held. After four hours and 55 minutes in space, Friendship 7 splashed down safely in the Atlantic Ocean, making Glenn a national hero.