Astronaut John H. Glenn Jr. became the first American to orbit the Earth in this Mercury spacecraft. On February 20, 1962, Glenn circled the Earth three times, in a flight lasting 4 hours and 55 minutes. Friendship 7 landed in the Atlantic Ocean.
Glenn's flight followed two successful Soviet orbital flights and signaled that the United States could compete successfully in space. The high-profile drama of the space race and Glenn's professionalism made him a national hero.
Transferred from the National Aeronautics and Space Administration.
Friendship 7 Interior

Design Features:
  • Height: 2.7 m (9 ft)
  • Maximum Diameter: 1.9 m (6 ft 3 in)
  • Weight: 1,300 kg (2,900 lb)
  • Manufacturer: McDonnell Aircraft Corp. for NASA
  • Launch Vehicle: Atlas-D
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-- -- TIMELINE -- --


Racing to Space
The Moon decision
To reach the moon
Apollo 11
Later Apollo missions
What we learned about the Moon
After the Apollo Program


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Created: 7/99