1990's Science and Technology | Glenn, John 1921-

ASTRONAUT, POLITICIAN

Background.

John Herschel Glenn Jr. was born 18 July 1921 in Cambridge, Ohio. He attended Muskingum College in New Concord, Ohio, and received a bachelor of science degree in Engineering. He received honorary doctoral degrees from nine colleges and universities. Glenn served as a naval aviator in World War II and the Korean War. He joined the ranks of legendary astronauts on 20 February 1962, when he climbed into the Friendship 7 (Project Mercury) capsule and lifted off on an Atlas-6 rocket, becoming the first American to orbit the Earth. His orbital flight lasted four hours, fifty-five minutes, and twenty-three seconds, all but seven minutes being in weightlessness.

Politician in Space.

On 16 January 1998 NASA announced that Glenn would return to orbit. From 29 October to 7 November 1998 he served as a Payload Specialist 2 on the STS-95 crew aboard the space shuttle...