Know What's Happening in Industry

Feb. 20, 1962: John Glenn’s First Trip to Space

On February 20, 1962, NASA launched Mercury‑Atlas 6, sending John Glenn aboard the Friendship 7 capsule into orbit. Glenn completed three Earth orbits in 4 hours 55 minutes, becoming the first American to orbit the planet. The mission faced a sensor fault and required manual piloting for the final two orbits, yet re‑entry and splashdown were successful. Glenn’s flight demonstrated U.S. competitiveness in the Cold‑War space race and cemented his status as a national hero.