Space
On February 20, 1962, John Glenn became the first American to orbit Earth. He circled the planet three times in 4 hours, 55 minutes aboard Friendship 7.
ILLUSTRATION · AIOn February 20, 1962, John Glenn became the first American in orbit, circling Earth three times aboard Friendship 7.
An Atlas rocket lifted Glenn's Mercury spacecraft from Cape Canaveral at 9:47 a.m. EST. The mission's objective, NASA says, was to place a man into Earth orbit, observe his reactions to the space environment, and bring him safely home.
Friendship 7 made three orbits, covering 75,679 statute miles at 17,544 miles per hour. The flight lasted 4 hours, 55 minutes and 23 seconds before the spacecraft splashed down in the ocean.
SourcesEvery claim traced
- Tier 1 · Primary1962
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