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Photograph of John Glenn in Space during Mercury-Atlas 6

Photograph of John Glenn in Space during Mercury-Atlas 6

Original caption: CAPE CANAVERAL, FLA. - Astronaut John Glenn photographed in space by an automatic sequence motion picture camera. Glenn is in a state of weightlessness traveling at 17,500 MPH as these pictur... More

Photograph of John Glenn in Space during Mercury-Atlas 6

Photograph of John Glenn in Space during Mercury-Atlas 6

Original caption: CAPE CANAVERAL, FLA. - Astronaut John Glenn photographed in space by an automatic sequence motion picture camera. Glenn is in a state of weightlessness traveling at 17,500 MPH as these pictur... More

Photograph of John Glenn in Space during Mercury-Atlas 6

Photograph of John Glenn in Space during Mercury-Atlas 6

Original caption: CAPE CANAVERAL, FLA. - Astronaut John Glenn photographed in space by an automatic sequence motion picture camera. Glenn is in a state of weightlessness traveling at 17,500 MPH as these pictur... More

Photograph of John Glenn Seating inside the Mercury Capsule during a Flight Simulation Test

Photograph of John Glenn Seating inside the Mercury Capsule during a F...

Original caption: Astronaut, John Glenn, in space suit seated in Mercury Capsule, is undergoing a flight simulation test. The first attempt to put a man into space by the U.S. aboard a Mercury Capsule will be ... More

MA-6 HAND HELD - JOHN GLENN. NASA orbital flight public domain image.

MA-6 HAND HELD - JOHN GLENN. NASA orbital flight public domain image.

S62-06012 (20 Feb. 1962) --- Orbital sunset photographed by astronaut John H. Glenn Jr. aboard the "Friendship 7" during his Mercury-Atlas 6 (MA-6) spaceflight. Photo credit: NASA

MA-6 HAND HELD - JOHN GLENN. NASA public domain image colelction.

MA-6 HAND HELD - JOHN GLENN. NASA public domain image colelction.

S62-06026 (20 Feb. 1962) --- View of Earth taken by astronaut John H. Glenn Jr. during his Mercury Atlas 6 (MA-6) spaceflight. Photo credit: NASA

MA-6 HAND HELD - JOHN GLENN. NASA public domain image colelction.

MA-6 HAND HELD - JOHN GLENN. NASA public domain image colelction.

S62-06011 (20 Feb. 1962) --- Orbital sunset photographed by astronaut John H. Glenn Jr. aboard the "Friendship 7" during his Mercury-Atlas 6 (MA-6) spaceflight. Photo credit: NASA

Wernher von Braun, America Space Program

Wernher von Braun, America Space Program

In this photo, Dr. Wernher von Braun, Director of the U.S. Army Ballistic Missile Agency's (ABMA) Development Operations Division, is shown briefing the seven original Mercury astronauts in ABMA's Fabrication L... More

MA-6 HAND HELD - JOHN GLENN. NASA public domain image colelction.

MA-6 HAND HELD - JOHN GLENN. NASA public domain image colelction.

S62-06009 (20 Feb. 1962) --- View of Earth taken by astronaut John H. Glenn Jr. during his Mercury Atlas 6 (MA-6) spaceflight. Photo credit: NASA

NASA Wernher von Braun, Army ballistic missile agency

NASA Wernher von Braun, Army ballistic missile agency

Five of the seven original astronauts are seen with Dr. von Braun inspecting the Mercury-Redstone hardware in the Fabrication Laboratory of Army Ballistic Missile Agency (ABMA) in 1959. Left to right: Astronaut... More

Astronaut Groups 1 and 2. NASA public domain image colelction.

Astronaut Groups 1 and 2. NASA public domain image colelction.

Astronaut Groups 1 and 2. The original seven Mercury astronauts selected by NASA in April 1959, are seated (left to right): L. Gordon Cooper Jr., Virgil I. Grissom, M. Scott Carpenter, Water M. Schirra Jr., Joh... More

MA-6 HAND HELD - JOHN GLENN. NASA public domain image colelction.

MA-6 HAND HELD - JOHN GLENN. NASA public domain image colelction.

S62-06019 (20 Feb. 1962) --- View of Earth taken by astronaut John H. Glenn Jr. during his Mercury Atlas 6 (MA-6) spaceflight. Photo credit: NASA

MA-6 HAND HELD - JOHN GLENN. NASA public domain image colelction.

MA-6 HAND HELD - JOHN GLENN. NASA public domain image colelction.

S62-06029 (20 Feb. 1962) --- View of Earth taken by astronaut John H. Glenn Jr. during his Mercury Atlas 6 (MA-6) spaceflight. Photo credit: NASA

Mercury Project, America Space Program

Mercury Project, America Space Program

Dr. Wernher von Braun, Director of the Army Ballistic Missile Agency's (ABMA) Development Operations Division, poses with the original Mercury astronauts in ABMA's Fabrication Laboratory during a 1959 visit. In... More

MA-6 HAND HELD - JOHN GLENN. NASA public domain image colelction.

MA-6 HAND HELD - JOHN GLENN. NASA public domain image colelction.

S62-06020 (20 Feb. 1962) --- View of Earth taken by astronaut John H. Glenn Jr. during his Mercury Atlas 6 (MA-6) spaceflight. Photo credit: NASA

John Glenn in the Mercury Procedures Trainer

John Glenn in the Mercury Procedures Trainer

(1960) John H. Glenn, one of the Mercury Seven Astronauts, runs through a training exercise in the Mercury Procedures Trainer at the Space Task Group, Langley Field, Virginia. This Link-type spacecraft simulato... More

John Glenn Prepares for a Test in the Multi-Axis Space Test Inertia Facility

John Glenn Prepares for a Test in the Multi-Axis Space Test Inertia Fa...

Mercury astronaut John Glenn prepares for a test in the Multi-Axis Space Test Inertia Facility (MASTIF) inside the Altitude Wind Tunnel at the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Lewis Research... More

Chimpanzee Enos, NASA Mercury project

Chimpanzee Enos, NASA Mercury project

Date December 18, 1961.Description: Chimpanzee Enos pictured wearing a space suit and wrist tethers...Enos became the first chimp to orbit the earth on November 29, 1961, aboard a Mercury Atlas rocket. Althoug... More

Astronauts Shepard and Glenn - Breakfast - Pre-Mercury-Redstone (MR)-3 Flight - Cape

Astronauts Shepard and Glenn - Breakfast - Pre-Mercury-Redstone (MR)-3...

S61-02735 (5 May 1961) --- Astronauts Alan Shepard and John Glenn at breakfast before Shepard's Mercury-Redstone 3 (MR-3) spaceflight. Photo credit: NASA or National Aeronautics and Space Administration

Meet Chimpanzee Enos, NASA Mercury project

Meet Chimpanzee Enos, NASA Mercury project

Date December 21, 1961 .Description: Chimpanzee Enos with handler before Mercury-Atlas 5 flight...Enos became the first chimp to orbit the earth on November 29, 1961, aboard a Mercury Atlas rocket. Although the... More

Chimpanzee Enos in a Space Suit

Chimpanzee Enos in a Space Suit

Date December 18, 1961.Description: Chimpanzee Enos pictured wearing a space suit and lying in his flight couch as a handler holds his hands. He is being prepared for insertion into the Mercury-Atlas 5 capsule... More

Grissom Climbs into Liberty Bell 7

Grissom Climbs into Liberty Bell 7

(July 21, 1961) Astronaut Virgil I. Grissom climbs into "Liberty Bell 7" spacecraft the morning of July 21, 1961. Backup Astronaut John Glenn assists in the operation. The Mercury-Redstone 4(MR-4) successfully ... More

Astronaut John Glenn Undergoes Simulated Orbital Flight Training

Astronaut John Glenn Undergoes Simulated Orbital Flight Training

(November 29, 1961) Astronaut John H. Glenn, Jr., undergoes a simulated orbital flight as part of his training for Project Mercury in the Manned Spacecraft Center's procedure trainer at Langley Air Force Base, ... More

John Glenn and Scott Carpenter. NASA public domain image colelction.

John Glenn and Scott Carpenter. NASA public domain image colelction.

Description CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- John Glenn (left) and Scott Carpenter, designated the prime pilot and backup respectively for the first U.S. manned orbital spaceflight, Mercury-Atlas 6. Photo taken circa 19... More

Mercury Project - Liberty Bell 7 capsule for the MR-4 Mission

Mercury Project - Liberty Bell 7 capsule for the MR-4 Mission

Astronaut Virgil Grissom chats with Astronaut John Glenn prior to entering the Liberty Bell 7 capsule for the MR-4 Mission. The MR-4 mission was the second manned suborbital flight using the Mercury-Redstone bo... More

Mercury Project -Astronaut Virgil Grissom enters the Mercury capsule

Mercury Project -Astronaut Virgil Grissom enters the Mercury capsule

Assisted by Astronaut John Glenn, Astronaut Virgil Grissom enters the Mercury capsule, Liberty Bell 7, for the MR-4 mission on July 21, 1961. Boosted by the Mercury-Redstone vehicle, the MR-4 mission was the se... More

Project Mercury: With Project Mercury, the United States gained its first experience in conducting human space missions that provided scientific and engineering knowledge of astronauts in space. Alan Shepard made history May 5, 1961, as America's first man in space. Less than a year later, John Glenn made the nation’s first orbital flight on Feb. 20, 1962. After two suborbital and three orbital missions, Project Mercury ended with a 22-orbit spaceflight on May 16, 1963. Poster designed by Kennedy Space Center Graphics Department/Greg Lee. Credit: NASA KSC-2012-1858

Project Mercury: With Project Mercury, the United States gained its f...

Project Mercury: With Project Mercury, the United States gained its first experience in conducting human space missions that provided scientific and engineering knowledge of astronauts in space. Alan Shepard m... More

Kennedy Presents Award to Gilruth

Kennedy Presents Award to Gilruth

(August 1, 1962) Former President John F. Kennedy presents Dr. Robert R. Gilruth Director of the Manned Spacecraft Center, Houston, Texas with the Medal for Distinguished Federal Civil Service. The ceremony too... More

[Television screen showing depiction of panel with a circular device, over which is written "Glenn's Voice", during John Glenn's orbit around earth in the Friendship 7 space capsule on February 20, 1962]

[Television screen showing depiction of panel with a circular device, ...

Contact sheet folder caption: "Glenn shot round the world 3 times on television, MST, 2/20/62." U.S. News & World Report Magazine Photograph Collection. Contact sheet available for reference purposes: USN&WR C... More

Victory Parade - John Glenn, NASA Gemini program

Victory Parade - John Glenn, NASA Gemini program

S62-00406 (February 1962) --- Following the successful MA-6 mission, astronaut John H. Glenn Jr., seen here with President John F. Kennedy and General Leighton I. Davis, took part in a whirlwind of activities c... More

Astronaut John Glenn During His First Orbit in Friendship 7

Astronaut John Glenn During His First Orbit in Friendship 7

(February 20, 1962) A weightless applesauce tube floats free following a snack by astronaut John Glenn in the course of his first orbit during the Mercury "Friendship 7" mission on February 20, 1962...Image # :... More

Astronaut John Glenn being Honored

Astronaut John Glenn being Honored

Full Description: On February 23, 1962, President John F. Kennedy honors John H. Glenn, Jr. at Hangar S, Cape Canaveral, Florida, after his historic three-orbit mission aboard Friendship 7.

Project Mercury: With Project Mercury, the United States gained its first experience in conducting human space missions that provided scientific and engineering knowledge of astronauts in space. Alan Shepard made history May 5, 1961, as America's first man in space. Less than a year later, John Glenn made the nation’s first orbital flight on Feb. 20, 1962. After two suborbital and three orbital missions, Project Mercury ended with a 22-orbit spaceflight on May 16, 1963. Poster designed by Kennedy Space Center Graphics Department/Greg Lee. Credit: NASA KSC-2012-1857

Project Mercury: With Project Mercury, the United States gained its f...

Project Mercury: With Project Mercury, the United States gained its first experience in conducting human space missions that provided scientific and engineering knowledge of astronauts in space. Alan Shepard m... More

[Television screen showing depiction of John Glenn's Friendship 7 space capsule approaching North America, during his orbit around earth on February 20, 1962]

[Television screen showing depiction of John Glenn's Friendship 7 spac...

Public domain scan of American poster, United States, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description

Friendship 7, NASA Mercury project

Friendship 7, NASA Mercury project

(February 20, 1962) On February 20, 1962 at 9:47 am EST, John Glenn launched from Cape Canaveral's Launch Complex 14 to become the first American to orbit the Earth. In this image, Glenn enters his Friendship 7... More

Launch of Friendship 7, NASA Mercury project

Launch of Friendship 7, NASA Mercury project

Full Description: (February 20, 1962) Launch of Friendship 7, the first American manned orbital space flight. Astronaut John Glenn aboard, the Mercury-Atlas rocket is launched from Pad 14...Image # : 62PC-0011

John Glenn OK, NASA Mercury project

John Glenn OK, NASA Mercury project

Astronaut John Glenn and technicians inspect artwork that will be painted on the outside of his Mercury spacecraft. John Glenn nicknamed his capsule "Friendship 7". On February 20, 1962 astronaut John H. Glenn ... More

Astronaut John Glenn During Mercury-Atlas 6 Pre-launch Activities

Astronaut John Glenn During Mercury-Atlas 6 Pre-launch Activities

(January 23, 1962) Astronaut John Glenn gives ready sign during Mercury-Atlas 6 pre- launch training activities...Image # : 62-MA6-52

John Glenn, Mercury -- February 1962

John Glenn, Mercury -- February 1962

Description: Astronaut John H. Glenn Jr., NASA flight surgeon William Douglas and equipment specialist Joseph W. Schmidt leave crew quarters prior to the Mercury-Atlas 6 mission. Glenn is in his pressure suit a... More

Mercury "Friendship 7" Spacecraft, NASA Mercury project

Mercury "Friendship 7" Spacecraft, NASA Mercury project

(February 20, 1962) Astronaut John Glenn, first American to orbit the Earth, enters the Mercury "Friendship 7" Spacecraft during prelaunch preparations. ..Image # : S62-00371

[Television screen showing depiction of John Glenn in the Friendship 7 space capsule, looking at the control panel during his orbit around earth on February 20, 1962]

[Television screen showing depiction of John Glenn in the Friendship 7...

Contact sheet folder caption: "Glenn shot round the world 3 times on television, MST, 2/20/62." U.S. News & World Report Magazine Photograph Collection. Contact sheet available for reference purposes: USN&WR C... More

John Glenn enters his Friendship 7 capsule

John Glenn enters his Friendship 7 capsule

(February 20, 1962) Project Mercury astronaut John H. Glenn, Jr. enters his Mercury Friendship 7 capsule before launch on February 20, 1962. At 9:47 a.m. (EST), his Atlas launch vehicle lifted him into orbit fo... More

John Glenn With T.J. O'Malley and Paul Donnelly in Front of Friendship 7

John Glenn With T.J. O'Malley and Paul Donnelly in Front of Friendship...

(January 24, 1962) Grouped together with astronaut John H. Glenn, Jr., beside "Friendship 7" spacecraft are left to right: T.J. O'Malley, chief test conductor for General Dynamics; Glenn; and Paul Donnelly. ..I... More

Return of John Glenn's space capsule

Return of John Glenn's space capsule

Title and date from contact sheet folder caption. Contact sheet available for reference purposes: USN&WR COLL - Job no. 7509, frame 4. Forms part of: U.S. News & World Report Magazine Photograph Collection.

JFK, John Glenn and General Davis in Cocoa Beach Parade

JFK, John Glenn and General Davis in Cocoa Beach Parade

(February 23, 1962) President John F. Kennedy (left), John Glenn and General Leighton I. Davis ride together during a parade in Cocoa Beach, Florida after Glenn's historic first U.S. human orbital spacefight. ... More

Mercury 7 Preparations, NASA Mercury project

Mercury 7 Preparations, NASA Mercury project

62-MA7-86 (1962) --- John Glenn (left) makes last minute preparations with Scott Carpenter prior to the flight of MA-7. Photo credit: NASA

Mercury 7, NASA Mercury project

Mercury 7, NASA Mercury project

62-MA7-123 (1962) --- Scott Carpenter (foreground) demonstrates a point to John Glenn while relaxing after his three-orbit MA-7 spaceflight. Photo credit: NASA

Glenn Suits-Up for Launch. NASA public domain image colelction.

Glenn Suits-Up for Launch. NASA public domain image colelction.

Astronaut John H. Glenn Jr. dons his silver Mercury pressure suit in preparation for launch. On February 20, 1962 Glenn lifted off into space aboard his Mercury Atlas (MA-6) rocket and became the first American... More

Astronaut John Glenn in a State of Weightlessness During Friendship

Astronaut John Glenn in a State of Weightlessness During Friendship

(February 20, 1962) Astronaut John Glenn photographed in space by an automatic sequence motion picture camera during his flight on "Friendship 7." Glenn was in a state of weightlessness traveling at 17,500 mph ... More

Photograph of Astronaut John H. Glenn, Jr. in His Mark IV Pressure Suit

Photograph of Astronaut John H. Glenn, Jr. in His Mark IV Pressure Sui...

Original caption: Cape Canaveral, FLA. - Astronaut John H. Glenn, Jr. gives ready sign during Mercury-Atlas 6 prelaunch activities. Committee Papers

Mercury Project Astronaut John Glenn enters the Mercury spacecraft, Friendship 7

Mercury Project Astronaut John Glenn enters the Mercury spacecraft, Fr...

Astronaut John Glenn enters the Mercury spacecraft, Friendship 7, prior to the launch of MA-6 on February 20, 1961 and became the first American who orbited the Earth. The MA-6 mission was the first manned orbi... More

Mercury Project - Astronaut John Glenn enters the Mercury spacecraft

Mercury Project - Astronaut John Glenn enters the Mercury spacecraft

Astronaut John Glenn enters the Mercury spacecraft, Friendship 7, prior to the launch of MA-6 on February 20, 1961 and became the first American who orbited the Earth. The MA-6 mission was the first manned orbi... More

Mercury Project Astronaut John Glenn

Mercury Project Astronaut John Glenn

Astronaut John Glenn in the Friendship 7 capsule during the first manned orbital flight, the MA-6 mission. Boosted by the Mercury-Atlas vehicle, a modified Atlas (intercontinental ballistic missile), the MA-6 m... More

President John F. Kennedy Peers into Space Capsule at the Presentation Ceremony of NASA Distinguished Service Medal (DSM) to Astronaut and Colonel John Glenn, Jr. at Hangar 'S' at Cape Canaveral, Florida

President John F. Kennedy Peers into Space Capsule at the Presentation...

Cecil Stoughton's White House Photographs Public domain photograph of NASA Glenn Research Center, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description

Washington, DC, Astronaut John Glenn and Mrs. Glenn with their Children Ride with Vice President Johnson in the Washington Parade

Washington, DC, Astronaut John Glenn and Mrs. Glenn with their Childre...

Photographs of Pennsylvania Ave. Development Corp. Sites and Activities Public domain photograph - NASA, space exploration, work of US government, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description

Photograph of Presentation of Film of John Glenn's Orbital Flight from NBC to the National Archives

Photograph of Presentation of Film of John Glenn's Orbital Flight from...

Dr. Wayne C. Grover examines film with Mr. William B. Monroe, NBC director of news (print cropped). Historic Photograph File of National Archives Events and Personnel

Photograph of Presentation of Film of John Glenn's Orbital Flight from NBC to the National Archives

Photograph of Presentation of Film of John Glenn's Orbital Flight from...

Dr. Wayne C. Grover examines film with Mr. William B. Monroe, NBC director of news (print cropped). Historic Photograph File of National Archives Events and Personnel

Photograph of Presentation of Film of John Glenn's Orbital Flight from NBC to the National Archives

Photograph of Presentation of Film of John Glenn's Orbital Flight from...

Original caption: L to R: Dr. Wayne C. Grover, Mr. William B. Monroe, NBC Director of News, Mr. Herman Kahn (print cropped). Historic Photograph File of National Archives Events and Personnel

Photograph of Presentation of Film of John Glenn's Orbital Flight from NBC to the National Archives

Photograph of Presentation of Film of John Glenn's Orbital Flight from...

Dr. Wayne C. Grover holds film reel as Mr. William B. Monroe, NBC director of news, looks on (print cropped). Historic Photograph File of National Archives Events and Personnel

Wernher von Braun and Astronaut John Glenn

Wernher von Braun and Astronaut John Glenn

Dr. von Braun (right) and Astronaut John Glenn examine a model of a lunar landing stage during a talk on the manned lunar exploration program by about sixty key officials of the nation's space program at the Ma... More

Photograph of Astronaut Scott Carpenter Looking inside his Aurora 7 Spacecraft prior to Launch

Photograph of Astronaut Scott Carpenter Looking inside his Aurora 7 Sp...

Original caption: Cape Canaveral, Fla.: Astronaut Scott Carpenter looks inside Aurora 7 spacecraft prior to insertion. McDonneld and NASA capsule technicians along with Astronauts Wall Schirra and John Glenn wa... More

Photograph of Astronauts M. Scott Carpenter and John H. Glenn, Jr. Shaking Hands after Carpenter's Aurora 7 Flight

Photograph of Astronauts M. Scott Carpenter and John H. Glenn, Jr. Sha...

Original caption: GRAND TURK ISLAND - Astronaut John Glenn congratulates Scott Carpenter on his three-orbit mission aboard the Aurora 7 spacecraft. The United States now has two Astronauts who have orbited the ... More

John Glenn and Scott Carpenter discuss flight plan for MA-7

John Glenn and Scott Carpenter discuss flight plan for MA-7

S62-02830 (1962) --- Astronauts John Glenn (left) and Scott Carpenter go over the flight plan for MA-7 mission. (62-MA7-63) Photo credit: NASA

Wernher von Braun, America Space Program

Wernher von Braun, America Space Program

NASA officials from Headquarters and the astronauts often met with Dr. von Braun in Huntsville, Alabama. This photograph was taken in September 1962 during one such visit. From left to right are Elliot See, Tom... More

Wernher von Braun briefs Astronaut John Glenn

Wernher von Braun briefs Astronaut John Glenn

Dr. von Braun briefs Astronaut John Glenn in the control room of the Vehicle Test Section, Quality Assurance Division, Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC), November 28, 1962.

S63-01419A (1963) --- Portrait of the first two groups of astronauts. The seven original Mercury astronauts plus new members of the astronaut corps. Seated from left to right are: Gordon Cooper, Gus Grissom, Scott Carpenter, Wally Schirra, John Glenn, Alan Shepard and Deke Slayton. Standing from left to right are: Edward White, James McDivitt, John Young, Elliot See, Charles Conrad, Frank Borman, Neil Armstrong, Thomas Stafford, and James Lovell. Signatures are also visible at the bottom of the frame. Photo credit: NASA s63-01419a

S63-01419A (1963) --- Portrait of the first two groups of astronauts. ...

S63-01419A (1963) --- Portrait of the first two groups of astronauts. The seven original Mercury astronauts plus new members of the astronaut corps. Seated from left to right are: Gordon Cooper, Gus Grissom, Sc... More

Mercury Astronauts Receiving the Collier Trophy

Mercury Astronauts Receiving the Collier Trophy

Dsecription NASA Administrator James E. Webb (center) cites the space achievements of the Project Mercury Astronauts who received the 1963 Collier Trophy Award in a ceremony held at the White House on October 1... More

Glenn at the Cape, NASA Mercury project

Glenn at the Cape, NASA Mercury project

(February 27, 1964) Astronaut John H. Glenn Jr. in his silver Mercury spacesuit during pre- flight training activities at Cape Canaveral. On February 20, 1962 Glenn lifted off into space aboard his Mercury Atla... More

Memorial Plaque for Yuri Gagarin

Memorial Plaque for Yuri Gagarin

(January 21, 1971) Dr. George M. Low, acting administrator of NASA, presented to the USSR on January 21, 1971, a plaque in memory of Soviet Cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin who made the first flight into space on April 1... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- U.S. Rep. Bill Posey listens to remarks during the "On Shoulders of Giants" program celebrating 50 years of Americans in orbit, an era which began with John Glenn's MA-6 mission on Feb. 20, 1962. The event was conducted in the Rocket Garden at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex in Florida a few miles from the launch pad where Glenn and Scott Carpenter took flight in Mercury spacecraft. Glenn's launch aboard an Atlas rocket took with it the hopes of an entire nation and ushered in a new era of space travel that eventually led to Americans walking on the moon by the end of the 1960s. Glenn soon was followed into orbit by Carpenter, Walter Schirra and Gordon Cooper. Their fellow Mercury astronauts Alan Shepard and Virgil "Gus" Grissom flew earlier suborbital flights. Deke Slayton, a member of NASA's original Mercury 7 astronauts, was grounded by a medical condition until the Apollo-Soyuz Test Project in 1975. Photo credit: Kim Shiflett KSC-2012-1484

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- U.S. Rep. Bill Posey listens to remarks during...

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- U.S. Rep. Bill Posey listens to remarks during the "On Shoulders of Giants" program celebrating 50 years of Americans in orbit, an era which began with John Glenn's MA-6 mission on Feb. ... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Mercury astronauts, John Glenn, left, and Scott Carpenter, talk to Mercury Project workers and other guests in the Astronaut Encounter Theater at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex in Florida. The pair participated in 50th anniversary events at the launch site of Glenn's first orbital flight aboard NASA's Friendship 7 capsule, which launched Feb. 20, 1962, aboard an Atlas rocket. At right, is Jack King, who was chief of Kennedy's Public Information Office during Project Mercury. Glenn's launch aboard an Atlas rocket took with it the hopes of an entire nation and ushered in a new era of space travel that eventually led to Americans walking on the moon by the end of the 1960s. Glenn soon was followed into orbit by Carpenter, Walter Schirra and Gordon Cooper. Their fellow Mercury astronauts Alan Shepard and Virgil "Gus" Grissom flew earlier suborbital flights. Deke Slayton, a member of NASA's original Mercury 7 astronauts, was grounded by a medical condition until the Apollo-Soyuz Test Project in 1975. Photo credit: Kim Shiflett KSC-2012-1477

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Mercury astronauts, John Glenn, left, and Scot...

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Mercury astronauts, John Glenn, left, and Scott Carpenter, talk to Mercury Project workers and other guests in the Astronaut Encounter Theater at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. --John Zarella leads a standing ovation during the "On Shoulders of Giants" program celebrating 50 years of Americans in orbit, an era which began with John Glenn's MA-6 mission on Feb. 20, 1962. The event was conducted in the Rocket Garden at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex in Florida a few miles from the launch pad where Glenn and Scott Carpenter took flight in Mercury spacecraft. Glenn's launch aboard an Atlas rocket took with it the hopes of an entire nation and ushered in a new era of space travel that eventually led to Americans walking on the moon by the end of the 1960s. Glenn soon was followed into orbit by Scott Carpenter, Walter Schirra and Gordon Cooper. Their fellow Mercury astronauts Alan Shepard and Virgil "Gus" Grissom flew earlier suborbital flights. Deke Slayton, a member of NASA's original Mercury 7 astronauts, was grounded by a medical condition until the Apollo-Soyuz Test Project in 1975. Photo credit: Kim Shiflett KSC-2012-1514

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. --John Zarella leads a standing ovation during th...

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. --John Zarella leads a standing ovation during the "On Shoulders of Giants" program celebrating 50 years of Americans in orbit, an era which began with John Glenn's MA-6 mission on Feb. 20,... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Mercury astronauts, John Glenn, left, and Scott Carpenter, talk to Mercury Project workers and other guests in the Astronaut Encounter Theater at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex in Florida. The pair participated in 50th anniversary events at the launch site of Glenn's first orbital flight aboard NASA's Friendship 7 capsule, which launched Feb. 20, 1962, aboard an Atlas rocket. Glenn's launch aboard an Atlas rocket took with it the hopes of an entire nation and ushered in a new era of space travel that eventually led to Americans walking on the moon by the end of the 1960s. Glenn soon was followed into orbit by Carpenter, Walter Schirra and Gordon Cooper. Their fellow Mercury astronauts Alan Shepard and Virgil "Gus" Grissom flew earlier suborbital flights. Deke Slayton, a member of NASA's original Mercury 7 astronauts, was grounded by a medical condition until the Apollo-Soyuz Test Project in 1975. Photo credit: Kim Shiflett KSC-2012-1472

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Mercury astronauts, John Glenn, left, and Scot...

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Mercury astronauts, John Glenn, left, and Scott Carpenter, talk to Mercury Project workers and other guests in the Astronaut Encounter Theater at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- The international news media takes part in a question-and-answer session with Mercury astronauts John Glenn and Scott Carpenter at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex in Florida. The astronauts, part of the original class of seven astronauts chosen by NASA, were taking part in events celebrating 50 years of Americans in orbit, an era which began with John Glenn's Mercury mission MA-6, on Feb. 20, 1962. Glenn's launch aboard an Atlas rocket took with it the hopes of an entire nation and ushered in a new era of space travel that eventually led to Americans walking on the moon by the end of the 1960s. Glenn soon was followed into orbit by Carpenter, Walter Schirra and Gordon Cooper. Their fellow Mercury astronauts Alan Shepard and Virgil "Gus" Grissom flew earlier suborbital flights. Deke Slayton was grounded by a medical condition until the Apollo-Soyuz Test Project in 1975. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett KSC-2012-1438

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- The international news media takes part in a q...

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- The international news media takes part in a question-and-answer session with Mercury astronauts John Glenn and Scott Carpenter at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex in Florida. Th... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Lisa Malone, left, director of Public Affairs at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, talks with Mercury astronauts John Glenn, center, and Scott Carpenter in front of the plot board from the Mercury control center on display at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex. The astronauts, part of the original class of seven astronauts chosen by NASA, were taking part in a question-and-answer session with the media as part of events celebrating 50 years of Americans in orbit, an era which began with John Glenn's Mercury mission MA-6, on Feb. 20, 1962. Glenn's launch aboard an Atlas rocket took with it the hopes of an entire nation and ushered in a new era of space travel that eventually led to Americans walking on the moon by the end of the 1960s. Glenn soon was followed into orbit by Carpenter, Walter Schirra and Gordon Cooper. Their fellow Mercury astronauts Alan Shepard and Virgil "Gus" Grissom flew earlier suborbital flights. Deke Slayton was grounded by a medical condition until the Apollo-Soyuz Test Project in 1975. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett KSC-2012-1439

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Lisa Malone, left, director of Public Affairs ...

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Lisa Malone, left, director of Public Affairs at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, talks with Mercury astronauts John Glenn, center, and Scott Carpenter in front of the plot board ... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- John Zarella makes remarks during the "On Shoulders of Giants" program celebrating 50 years of Americans in orbit, an era which began with John Glenn's MA-6 mission on Feb. 20, 1962. The event was conducted in the Rocket Garden at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex in Florida a few miles from the launch pad where Glenn and Scott Carpenter took flight in Mercury spacecraft. Glenn's launch aboard an Atlas rocket took with it the hopes of an entire nation and ushered in a new era of space travel that eventually led to Americans walking on the moon by the end of the 1960s. Glenn soon was followed into orbit by Scott Carpenter, Walter Schirra and Gordon Cooper. Their fellow Mercury astronauts Alan Shepard and Virgil "Gus" Grissom flew earlier suborbital flights. Deke Slayton, a member of NASA's original Mercury 7 astronauts, was grounded by a medical condition until the Apollo-Soyuz Test Project in 1975. Photo credit: Kim Shiflett KSC-2012-1505

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- John Zarella makes remarks during the "On Shou...

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- John Zarella makes remarks during the "On Shoulders of Giants" program celebrating 50 years of Americans in orbit, an era which began with John Glenn's MA-6 mission on Feb. 20, 1962. The... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Mercury astronauts Scott Carpenter, left, and John Glenn sit in front of a capsule from the Mercury program on display at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex in Florida. The two astronauts, part of the original class of seven astronauts chosen by NASA, were taking part in events celebrating 50 years of Americans in orbit, an era which began with Glenn's Mercury mission MA-6, on Feb. 20, 1962. Glenn's launch aboard an Atlas rocket took with it the hopes of an entire nation and ushered in a new era of space travel that eventually led to Americans walking on the moon by the end of the 1960s. Glenn soon was followed into orbit by Carpenter, Walter Schirra and Gordon Cooper. Their fellow Mercury astronauts Alan Shepard and Virgil "Gus" Grissom flew earlier suborbital flights. Deke Slayton was grounded by a medical condition until the Apollo-Soyuz Test Project in 1975. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett KSC-2012-1434

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Mercury astronauts Scott Carpenter, left, and ...

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Mercury astronauts Scott Carpenter, left, and John Glenn sit in front of a capsule from the Mercury program on display at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex in Florida. The two ast... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Mercury astronauts Scott Carpenter, left, and John Glenn and astronaut Steve Robinson of STS-95 listen to remarks during the "On Shoulders of Giants" program celebrating 50 years of Americans in orbit, an era which began with Glenn's MA-6 mission on Feb. 20, 1962. The event was conducted in the Rocket Garden at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex in Florida a few miles from the launch pad where Glenn and Carpenter took flight in Mercury spacecraft. Glenn's launch aboard an Atlas rocket took with it the hopes of an entire nation and ushered in a new era of space travel that eventually led to Americans walking on the moon by the end of the 1960s. Glenn soon was followed into orbit by Carpenter, Walter Schirra and Gordon Cooper. Their fellow Mercury astronauts Alan Shepard and Virgil "Gus" Grissom flew earlier suborbital flights. Deke Slayton, a member of NASA's original Mercury 7 astronauts, was grounded by a medical condition until the Apollo-Soyuz Test Project in 1975. Photo credit: Kim Shiflett KSC-2012-1478

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Mercury astronauts Scott Carpenter, left, and ...

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Mercury astronauts Scott Carpenter, left, and John Glenn and astronaut Steve Robinson of STS-95 listen to remarks during the "On Shoulders of Giants" program celebrating 50 years of Amer... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. --Mercury astronauts John Glenn, left, and Scott Carpenter sit in front of the plot board from the Mercury control center on display at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex. The astronauts, part of the original class of seven astronauts chosen by NASA, were taking part in a question-and-answer session with the media as part of events celebrating 50 years of Americans in orbit, an era which began with John Glenn's Mercury mission MA-6, on Feb. 20, 1962. Glenn's launch aboard an Atlas rocket took with it the hopes of an entire nation and ushered in a new era of space travel that eventually led to Americans walking on the moon by the end of the 1960s. Glenn soon was followed into orbit by Carpenter, Walter Schirra and Gordon Cooper. Their fellow Mercury astronauts Alan Shepard and Virgil "Gus" Grissom flew earlier suborbital flights. Deke Slayton was grounded by a medical condition until the Apollo-Soyuz Test Project in 1975. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett KSC-2012-1442

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. --Mercury astronauts John Glenn, left, and Scott ...

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. --Mercury astronauts John Glenn, left, and Scott Carpenter sit in front of the plot board from the Mercury control center on display at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex. The astrona... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- NASA Kennedy Space Center Director Bob Cabana, right, talks to guests in Orbiter Processing Facility-1 OPF-1 where space shuttle Discovery is being prepared for public display during a 50th anniversary celebration of the first orbital flight of an American. The astronaut who made that first flight, John Glenn, is at the space center to commemorate that achievement. Glenn orbited the Earth three times in the NASA Mercury Project's Friendship 7 capsule on Feb. 20, 1962. He later returned to space in October 1998 as a payload specialist aboard Discovery's STS-95 mission. Also in the photo are Glenn's wife, Annie, NASA astronaut Stephen Robinson, and Bob Sieck, a former shuttle launch director. Robinson was the payload commander of STS-95. Glenn's launch aboard an Atlas rocket took with it the hopes of an entire nation and ushered in a new era of space travel that eventually led to Americans walking on the moon by the end of the 1960s. Glenn soon was followed into orbit by Scott Carpenter, Walter Schirra and Gordon Cooper. Their fellow Mercury astronauts Alan Shepard and Virgil "Gus" Grissom flew earlier suborbital flights. Deke Slayton, a member of NASA's original Mercury 7 astronauts, was grounded by a medical condition until the Apollo-Soyuz Test Project in 1975. Shuttle Discovery currently is being prepared for display at Smithsonian’s National Air and Space Museum, Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center in Chantilly, Va. Photo credit: Cory Huston KSC-2012-1450

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- NASA Kennedy Space Center Director Bob Cabana,...

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- NASA Kennedy Space Center Director Bob Cabana, right, talks to guests in Orbiter Processing Facility-1 OPF-1 where space shuttle Discovery is being prepared for public display during a 5... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Cal Fowler, Launch test director during Mercury, speaks during the "On Shoulders of Giants" program celebrating 50 years of Americans in orbit, an era which began with John Glenn's MA-6 mission on Feb. 20, 1962. The event was conducted in the Rocket Garden at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex in Florida a few miles from the launch pad where Glenn and Scott Carpenter took flight in Mercury spacecraft. Glenn's launch aboard an Atlas rocket took with it the hopes of an entire nation and ushered in a new era of space travel that eventually led to Americans walking on the moon by the end of the 1960s. Glenn soon was followed into orbit by Carpenter, Walter Schirra and Gordon Cooper. Their fellow Mercury astronauts Alan Shepard and Virgil "Gus" Grissom flew earlier suborbital flights. Deke Slayton, a member of NASA's original Mercury 7 astronauts, was grounded by a medical condition until the Apollo-Soyuz Test Project in 1975. Photo credit: Kim Shiflett KSC-2012-1485

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Cal Fowler, Launch test director during Mercur...

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Cal Fowler, Launch test director during Mercury, speaks during the "On Shoulders of Giants" program celebrating 50 years of Americans in orbit, an era which began with John Glenn's MA-6 ... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. --Mercury astronaut Scott Carpenter speaks during the "On Shoulders of Giants" program celebrating 50 years of Americans in orbit, an era which began with John Glenn's MA-6 mission on Feb. 20, 1962. The event was conducted in the Rocket Garden at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex in Florida a few miles from the launch pad where Glenn and Scott Carpenter took flight in Mercury spacecraft. Glenn's launch aboard an Atlas rocket took with it the hopes of an entire nation and ushered in a new era of space travel that eventually led to Americans walking on the moon by the end of the 1960s. Glenn soon was followed into orbit by Scott Carpenter, Walter Schirra and Gordon Cooper. Their fellow Mercury astronauts Alan Shepard and Virgil "Gus" Grissom flew earlier suborbital flights. Deke Slayton, a member of NASA's original Mercury 7 astronauts, was grounded by a medical condition until the Apollo-Soyuz Test Project in 1975. Photo credit: Kim Shiflett KSC-2012-1495

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. --Mercury astronaut Scott Carpenter speaks during...

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. --Mercury astronaut Scott Carpenter speaks during the "On Shoulders of Giants" program celebrating 50 years of Americans in orbit, an era which began with John Glenn's MA-6 mission on Feb. ... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Mercury astronaut Scott Carpenter speaks during the "On Shoulders of Giants" program celebrating 50 years of Americans in orbit, an era which began with John Glenn's MA-6 mission on Feb. 20, 1962. The event was conducted in the Rocket Garden at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex in Florida a few miles from the launch pad where Glenn and Scott Carpenter took flight in Mercury spacecraft. Glenn's launch aboard an Atlas rocket took with it the hopes of an entire nation and ushered in a new era of space travel that eventually led to Americans walking on the moon by the end of the 1960s. Glenn soon was followed into orbit by Scott Carpenter, Walter Schirra and Gordon Cooper. Their fellow Mercury astronauts Alan Shepard and Virgil "Gus" Grissom flew earlier suborbital flights. Deke Slayton, a member of NASA's original Mercury 7 astronauts, was grounded by a medical condition until the Apollo-Soyuz Test Project in 1975. Photo credit: Kim Shiflett KSC-2012-1496

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Mercury astronaut Scott Carpenter speaks durin...

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Mercury astronaut Scott Carpenter speaks during the "On Shoulders of Giants" program celebrating 50 years of Americans in orbit, an era which began with John Glenn's MA-6 mission on Feb.... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Hugh Harris, the former director of Public Affairs at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, talks to Mercury Project workers and other guests in the Astronaut Encounter Theater at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex in Florida. Harris is helping Mercury astronauts, John Glenn and Scott Carpenter, mark the 50th anniversary of Glenn being the first American to orbit the Earth inside the NASA Mercury Project's Friendship 7 capsule on Feb. 20, 1962. Glenn's launch aboard an Atlas rocket took with it the hopes of an entire nation and ushered in a new era of space travel that eventually led to Americans walking on the moon by the end of the 1960s. Glenn soon was followed into orbit by Carpenter, Walter Schirra and Gordon Cooper. Their fellow Mercury astronauts Alan Shepard and Virgil "Gus" Grissom flew earlier suborbital flights. Deke Slayton, a member of NASA's original Mercury 7 astronauts, was grounded by a medical condition until the Apollo-Soyuz Test Project in 1975. Photo credit: Kim Shiflett KSC-2012-1475

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Hugh Harris, the former director of Public Aff...

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Hugh Harris, the former director of Public Affairs at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, talks to Mercury Project workers and other guests in the Astronaut Encounter Theater at the ... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Mercury astronauts, John Glenn, left, and Scott Carpenter, talk to Mercury Project workers and other guests in the Astronaut Encounter Theater at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex in Florida. The pair participated in 50th anniversary events at the launch site of Glenn's first orbital flight aboard NASA's Friendship 7 capsule, which launched Feb. 20, 1962, aboard an Atlas rocket. At right, is Jack King, who was chief of Kennedy's Public Information Office during Project Mercury. Glenn's launch aboard an Atlas rocket took with it the hopes of an entire nation and ushered in a new era of space travel that eventually led to Americans walking on the moon by the end of the 1960s. Glenn soon was followed into orbit by Carpenter, Walter Schirra and Gordon Cooper. Their fellow Mercury astronauts Alan Shepard and Virgil "Gus" Grissom flew earlier suborbital flights. Deke Slayton, a member of NASA's original Mercury 7 astronauts, was grounded by a medical condition until the Apollo-Soyuz Test Project in 1975. Photo credit: Kim Shiflett KSC-2012-1476

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Mercury astronauts, John Glenn, left, and Scot...

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Mercury astronauts, John Glenn, left, and Scott Carpenter, talk to Mercury Project workers and other guests in the Astronaut Encounter Theater at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- STS-95 astronaut Steve Robinson speaks during the "On Shoulders of Giants" program celebrating 50 years of Americans in orbit, an era which began with John Glenn's MA-6 mission on Feb. 20, 1962. The event was conducted in the Rocket Garden at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex in Florida a few miles from the launch pad where Glenn and Scott Carpenter took flight in Mercury spacecraft. Glenn's launch aboard an Atlas rocket took with it the hopes of an entire nation and ushered in a new era of space travel that eventually led to Americans walking on the moon by the end of the 1960s. Glenn soon was followed into orbit by Scott Carpenter, Walter Schirra and Gordon Cooper. Their fellow Mercury astronauts Alan Shepard and Virgil "Gus" Grissom flew earlier suborbital flights. Deke Slayton, a member of NASA's original Mercury 7 astronauts, was grounded by a medical condition until the Apollo-Soyuz Test Project in 1975. Photo credit: Kim Shiflett KSC-2012-1487

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- STS-95 astronaut Steve Robinson speaks during ...

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- STS-95 astronaut Steve Robinson speaks during the "On Shoulders of Giants" program celebrating 50 years of Americans in orbit, an era which began with John Glenn's MA-6 mission on Feb. 2... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Mercury astronauts Scott Carpenter, left, and John Glenn and astronaut Steve Robinson of STS-95 listen to remarks during the "On Shoulders of Giants" program celebrating 50 years of Americans in orbit, an era which began with Glenn's MA-6 mission on Feb. 20, 1962. The event was conducted in the Rocket Garden at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex in Florida a few miles from the launch pad where Glenn and Carpenter took flight in Mercury spacecraft. Glenn's launch aboard an Atlas rocket took with it the hopes of an entire nation and ushered in a new era of space travel that eventually led to Americans walking on the moon by the end of the 1960s. Glenn soon was followed into orbit by Carpenter, Walter Schirra and Gordon Cooper. Their fellow Mercury astronauts Alan Shepard and Virgil "Gus" Grissom flew earlier suborbital flights. Deke Slayton, a member of NASA's original Mercury 7 astronauts, was grounded by a medical condition until the Apollo-Soyuz Test Project in 1975. Photo credit: Kim Shiflett KSC-2012-1489

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Mercury astronauts Scott Carpenter, left, and ...

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Mercury astronauts Scott Carpenter, left, and John Glenn and astronaut Steve Robinson of STS-95 listen to remarks during the "On Shoulders of Giants" program celebrating 50 years of Amer... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Kennedy Space Center Director Bob Cabana makes remarks during the "On Shoulders of Giants" program celebrating 50 years of Americans in orbit, an era which began with John Glenn's MA-6 mission on Feb. 20, 1962. The event was conducted in the Rocket Garden at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex in Florida a few miles from the launch pad where Glenn and Scott Carpenter took flight in Mercury spacecraft. Glenn's launch aboard an Atlas rocket took with it the hopes of an entire nation and ushered in a new era of space travel that eventually led to Americans walking on the moon by the end of the 1960s. Glenn soon was followed into orbit by Scott Carpenter, Walter Schirra and Gordon Cooper. Their fellow Mercury astronauts Alan Shepard and Virgil "Gus" Grissom flew earlier suborbital flights. Deke Slayton, a member of NASA's original Mercury 7 astronauts, was grounded by a medical condition until the Apollo-Soyuz Test Project in 1975. Photo credit: Kim Shiflett KSC-2012-1506

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Kennedy Space Center Director Bob Cabana makes...

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Kennedy Space Center Director Bob Cabana makes remarks during the "On Shoulders of Giants" program celebrating 50 years of Americans in orbit, an era which began with John Glenn's MA-6 m... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- A crowd looks on during the "On Shoulders of Giants" program celebrating 50 years of Americans in orbit, an era which began with John Glenn's MA-6 mission on Feb. 20, 1962. The event was conducted in the Rocket Garden at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex in Florida a few miles from the launch pad where Glenn and Scott Carpenter took flight in Mercury spacecraft. Glenn's launch aboard an Atlas rocket took with it the hopes of an entire nation and ushered in a new era of space travel that eventually led to Americans walking on the moon by the end of the 1960s. Glenn soon was followed into orbit by Scott Carpenter, Walter Schirra and Gordon Cooper. Their fellow Mercury astronauts Alan Shepard and Virgil "Gus" Grissom flew earlier suborbital flights. Deke Slayton, a member of NASA's original Mercury 7 astronauts, was grounded by a medical condition until the Apollo-Soyuz Test Project in 1975. Photo credit: Kim Shiflett KSC-2012-1508

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- A crowd looks on during the "On Shoulders of G...

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- A crowd looks on during the "On Shoulders of Giants" program celebrating 50 years of Americans in orbit, an era which began with John Glenn's MA-6 mission on Feb. 20, 1962. The event was... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Mercury astronauts John Glenn, left, and Scott Carpenter sit in front of the plot board from the Mercury control center on display at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex. The astronauts, part of the original class of seven astronauts chosen by NASA, were taking part in a question-and-answer session with the media as part of events celebrating 50 years of Americans in orbit, an era which began with John Glenn's Mercury mission MA-6, on Feb. 20, 1962. Glenn's launch aboard an Atlas rocket took with it the hopes of an entire nation and ushered in a new era of space travel that eventually led to Americans walking on the moon by the end of the 1960s. Glenn soon was followed into orbit by Carpenter, Walter Schirra and Gordon Cooper. Their fellow Mercury astronauts Alan Shepard and Virgil "Gus" Grissom flew earlier suborbital flights. Deke Slayton was grounded by a medical condition until the Apollo-Soyuz Test Project in 1975. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett KSC-2012-1440

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Mercury astronauts John Glenn, left, and Scott...

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Mercury astronauts John Glenn, left, and Scott Carpenter sit in front of the plot board from the Mercury control center on display at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex. The astron... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Mercury astronauts John Glenn, left, and Scott Carpenter sit in front of the plot board from the Mercury control center on display at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex. The astronauts, part of the original class of seven astronauts chosen by NASA, were taking part in a question-and-answer session with the media as part of events celebrating 50 years of Americans in orbit, an era which began with John Glenn's Mercury mission MA-6, on Feb. 20, 1962. Glenn's launch aboard an Atlas rocket took with it the hopes of an entire nation and ushered in a new era of space travel that eventually led to Americans walking on the moon by the end of the 1960s. Glenn soon was followed into orbit by Carpenter, Walter Schirra and Gordon Cooper. Their fellow Mercury astronauts Alan Shepard and Virgil "Gus" Grissom flew earlier suborbital flights. Deke Slayton was grounded by a medical condition until the Apollo-Soyuz Test Project in 1975. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett KSC-2012-1441

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Mercury astronauts John Glenn, left, and Scott...

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Mercury astronauts John Glenn, left, and Scott Carpenter sit in front of the plot board from the Mercury control center on display at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex. The astron... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. --Mercury astronaut Scott Carpenter speaks during the "On Shoulders of Giants" program celebrating 50 years of Americans in orbit, an era which began with John Glenn's MA-6 mission on Feb. 20, 1962. The event was conducted in the Rocket Garden at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex in Florida a few miles from the launch pad where Glenn and Scott Carpenter took flight in Mercury spacecraft. Glenn's launch aboard an Atlas rocket took with it the hopes of an entire nation and ushered in a new era of space travel that eventually led to Americans walking on the moon by the end of the 1960s. Glenn soon was followed into orbit by Scott Carpenter, Walter Schirra and Gordon Cooper. Their fellow Mercury astronauts Alan Shepard and Virgil "Gus" Grissom flew earlier suborbital flights. Deke Slayton, a member of NASA's original Mercury 7 astronauts, was grounded by a medical condition until the Apollo-Soyuz Test Project in 1975. Photo credit: Kim Shiflett KSC-2012-1513

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. --Mercury astronaut Scott Carpenter speaks during...

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. --Mercury astronaut Scott Carpenter speaks during the "On Shoulders of Giants" program celebrating 50 years of Americans in orbit, an era which began with John Glenn's MA-6 mission on Feb. ... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - Mercury astronaut Scott Carpenter and his wife, Patricia, pose during a luncheon Feb. 17, 2012, celebrating 50 years of Americans in orbit, an era which began with John Glenn's Mercury mission MA-6, on Feb. 20, 1962. Glenn's launch aboard an Atlas rocket took with it the hopes of an entire nation and ushered in a new era of space travel that eventually led to Americans walking on the moon by the end of the 1960s. Glenn soon was followed into orbit by Carpenter, Walter Schirra and Gordon Cooper. Their fellow Mercury astronauts Alan Shepard and Virgil "Gus" Grissom flew earlier suborbital flights. Deke Slayton, a member of NASA's original Mercury 7 astronauts, was grounded by a medical condition until the Apollo-Soyuz Test Project in 1975. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett KSC-2012-1430

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - Mercury astronaut Scott Carpenter and his wife,...

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - Mercury astronaut Scott Carpenter and his wife, Patricia, pose during a luncheon Feb. 17, 2012, celebrating 50 years of Americans in orbit, an era which began with John Glenn's Mercury mi... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Mercury astronaut Scott Carpenter speaks during the "On Shoulders of Giants" program celebrating 50 years of Americans in orbit, an era which began with John Glenn's MA-6 mission on Feb. 20, 1962. The event was conducted in the Rocket Garden at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex in Florida a few miles from the launch pad where Glenn and Scott Carpenter took flight in Mercury spacecraft. Glenn's launch aboard an Atlas rocket took with it the hopes of an entire nation and ushered in a new era of space travel that eventually led to Americans walking on the moon by the end of the 1960s. Glenn soon was followed into orbit by Scott Carpenter, Walter Schirra and Gordon Cooper. Their fellow Mercury astronauts Alan Shepard and Virgil "Gus" Grissom flew earlier suborbital flights. Deke Slayton, a member of NASA's original Mercury 7 astronauts, was grounded by a medical condition until the Apollo-Soyuz Test Project in 1975. Photo credit: Kim Shiflett KSC-2012-1493

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Mercury astronaut Scott Carpenter speaks durin...

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Mercury astronaut Scott Carpenter speaks during the "On Shoulders of Giants" program celebrating 50 years of Americans in orbit, an era which began with John Glenn's MA-6 mission on Feb.... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. --Mercury astronaut Scott Carpenter speaks during the "On Shoulders of Giants" program celebrating 50 years of Americans in orbit, an era which began with John Glenn's MA-6 mission on Feb. 20, 1962. The event was conducted in the Rocket Garden at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex in Florida a few miles from the launch pad where Glenn and Scott Carpenter took flight in Mercury spacecraft. Glenn's launch aboard an Atlas rocket took with it the hopes of an entire nation and ushered in a new era of space travel that eventually led to Americans walking on the moon by the end of the 1960s. Glenn soon was followed into orbit by Scott Carpenter, Walter Schirra and Gordon Cooper. Their fellow Mercury astronauts Alan Shepard and Virgil "Gus" Grissom flew earlier suborbital flights. Deke Slayton, a member of NASA's original Mercury 7 astronauts, was grounded by a medical condition until the Apollo-Soyuz Test Project in 1975. Photo credit: Kim Shiflett KSC-2012-1494

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. --Mercury astronaut Scott Carpenter speaks during...

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. --Mercury astronaut Scott Carpenter speaks during the "On Shoulders of Giants" program celebrating 50 years of Americans in orbit, an era which began with John Glenn's MA-6 mission on Feb. ... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. --A crowd looks on during the "On Shoulders of Giants" program celebrating 50 years of Americans in orbit, an era which began with John Glenn's MA-6 mission on Feb. 20, 1962. The event was conducted in the Rocket Garden at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex in Florida a few miles from the launch pad where Glenn and Scott Carpenter took flight in Mercury spacecraft. Glenn's launch aboard an Atlas rocket took with it the hopes of an entire nation and ushered in a new era of space travel that eventually led to Americans walking on the moon by the end of the 1960s. Glenn soon was followed into orbit by Scott Carpenter, Walter Schirra and Gordon Cooper. Their fellow Mercury astronauts Alan Shepard and Virgil "Gus" Grissom flew earlier suborbital flights. Deke Slayton, a member of NASA's original Mercury 7 astronauts, was grounded by a medical condition until the Apollo-Soyuz Test Project in 1975. Photo credit: Kim Shiflett KSC-2012-1509

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. --A crowd looks on during the "On Shoulders of Gi...

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. --A crowd looks on during the "On Shoulders of Giants" program celebrating 50 years of Americans in orbit, an era which began with John Glenn's MA-6 mission on Feb. 20, 1962. The event was ... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Mercury astronauts Scott Carpenter, left, and John Glenn listen to remarks during the "On Shoulders of Giants" program celebrating 50 years of Americans in orbit, an era which began with Glenn's MA-6 mission on Feb. 20, 1962. The event was conducted in the Rocket Garden at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex in Florida a few miles from the launch pad where Glenn and Carpenter took flight in Mercury spacecraft. Glenn's launch aboard an Atlas rocket took with it the hopes of an entire nation and ushered in a new era of space travel that eventually led to Americans walking on the moon by the end of the 1960s. Glenn soon was followed into orbit by Carpenter, Walter Schirra and Gordon Cooper. Their fellow Mercury astronauts Alan Shepard and Virgil "Gus" Grissom flew earlier suborbital flights. Deke Slayton, a member of NASA's original Mercury 7 astronauts, was grounded by a medical condition until the Apollo-Soyuz Test Project in 1975. Photo credit: Kim Shiflett KSC-2012-1488

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Mercury astronauts Scott Carpenter, left, and ...

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Mercury astronauts Scott Carpenter, left, and John Glenn listen to remarks during the "On Shoulders of Giants" program celebrating 50 years of Americans in orbit, an era which began with... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- STS-95 astronaut Steve Robinson speaks during the "On Shoulders of Giants" program celebrating 50 years of Americans in orbit, an era which began with John Glenn's MA-6 mission on Feb. 20, 1962. The event was conducted in the Rocket Garden at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex in Florida a few miles from the launch pad where Glenn and Scott Carpenter took flight in Mercury spacecraft. Glenn's launch aboard an Atlas rocket took with it the hopes of an entire nation and ushered in a new era of space travel that eventually led to Americans walking on the moon by the end of the 1960s. Glenn soon was followed into orbit by Scott Carpenter, Walter Schirra and Gordon Cooper. Their fellow Mercury astronauts Alan Shepard and Virgil "Gus" Grissom flew earlier suborbital flights. Deke Slayton, a member of NASA's original Mercury 7 astronauts, was grounded by a medical condition until the Apollo-Soyuz Test Project in 1975. Photo credit: Kim Shiflett KSC-2012-1510

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- STS-95 astronaut Steve Robinson speaks during ...

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- STS-95 astronaut Steve Robinson speaks during the "On Shoulders of Giants" program celebrating 50 years of Americans in orbit, an era which began with John Glenn's MA-6 mission on Feb. 2... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- NASA Kennedy Space Center Director Bob Cabana talks to guests in Orbiter Processing Facility-1 OPF-1 where space shuttle Discovery is being prepared for public display during a 50th anniversary celebration of the first orbital flight of an American. The astronaut who made that first flight, John Glenn, is at the space center to commemorate that achievement. Glenn orbited the Earth three times in the NASA Mercury Project's Friendship 7 capsule on Feb. 20, 1962. He later returned to space in October 1998 as a payload specialist aboard Discovery's STS-95 mission. Glenn's launch aboard an Atlas rocket took with it the hopes of an entire nation and ushered in a new era of space travel that eventually led to Americans walking on the moon by the end of the 1960s. Glenn soon was followed into orbit by Scott Carpenter, Walter Schirra and Gordon Cooper. Their fellow Mercury astronauts Alan Shepard and Virgil "Gus" Grissom flew earlier suborbital flights. Deke Slayton, a member of NASA's original Mercury 7 astronauts, was grounded by a medical condition until the Apollo-Soyuz Test Project in 1975. Shuttle Discovery currently is being prepared for display at Smithsonian’s National Air and Space Museum, Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center in Chantilly, Va. Photo credit: Cory Huston KSC-2012-1446

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- NASA Kennedy Space Center Director Bob Cabana ...

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- NASA Kennedy Space Center Director Bob Cabana talks to guests in Orbiter Processing Facility-1 OPF-1 where space shuttle Discovery is being prepared for public display during a 50th anni... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Mercury astronaut Scott Carpenter listens to remarks during the "On Shoulders of Giants" program celebrating 50 years of Americans in orbit, an era which began with John Glenn's MA-6 mission on Feb. 20, 1962. The event was conducted in the Rocket Garden at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex in Florida a few miles from the launch pad where Glenn and Scott Carpenter took flight in Mercury spacecraft. Glenn's launch aboard an Atlas rocket took with it the hopes of an entire nation and ushered in a new era of space travel that eventually led to Americans walking on the moon by the end of the 1960s. Glenn soon was followed into orbit by Scott Carpenter, Walter Schirra and Gordon Cooper. Their fellow Mercury astronauts Alan Shepard and Virgil "Gus" Grissom flew earlier suborbital flights. Deke Slayton, a member of NASA's original Mercury 7 astronauts, was grounded by a medical condition until the Apollo-Soyuz Test Project in 1975. Photo credit: Kim Shiflett KSC-2012-1483

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Mercury astronaut Scott Carpenter listens to r...

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Mercury astronaut Scott Carpenter listens to remarks during the "On Shoulders of Giants" program celebrating 50 years of Americans in orbit, an era which began with John Glenn's MA-6 mis... More

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