On February 20, 1962, John Glenn became the first American to orbit the Earth aboard the Friendship 7 spacecraft. His historic flight lasted just under five hours and made three orbits around the planet before safely returning to Earth.

John Glenn, a former U.S. Marine Corps pilot, was launched into orbit from Cape Canaveral, Florida. He became a national hero and a symbol of American ingenuity during the Cold War space race against the Soviet Union.

The successful completion of Glenn's mission boosted American morale during the Cold War and was a critical moment for NASA, paving the way for future space explorations, including the Apollo missions that landed humans on the Moon.

Glenn’s flight was watched by millions on live television, capturing the imagination of a generation and inspiring a renewed interest in science and space exploration in America.

During the mission, Glenn famously reported observing a beautiful view of Earth, providing stunning insights about our planet’s atmosphere and temperature variations during orbit.

After retiring from NASA, John Glenn served as a U.S. Senator from Ohio, highlighting the crossover between space exploration and public service.

Glenn’s mission made him an iconic figure, eventually leading to his return to space aboard the Space Shuttle Discovery in 1998, making him the oldest person to fly in space at age 77.

On the anniversary of his orbital flight, February 20 is often celebrated as "John Glenn Day" in various communities as a tribute to his contributions to space and exploration.

Have you ever looked up at the stars and wondered what it would be like to travel in space? John Glenn did it—how does that inspire you?

Have you ever looked up at the stars and wondered what it would be like to travel in space? John Glenn did it—how does that inspire you?