50th anniversary of John Glenn's flight.

SkyMan

Today, 2/20/12, is the 50th anniversary of John Glenn's flight. For those of you that do not know who he is, he was the first American to orbit the earth. He flew in a Mercury spacecraft, named Friendship 7, that was launched on an Atlas booster. He circled the Earth 3 times in roughly 4.5 hours. Here's a piece of his booster that was found in eastern Africa and given to Deke Slayton (1 of the Mercury 7 astronauts, and the head of the astronaut office for ~20 years). I was lucky enough to win this item about 4 years ago. If you've got a John Glenn or Friendship 7 related item, or a coin from 1962, please post it.

SaorAlba

Russia and Ukraine commemorated many of their 50th anniversary events with commemoratives in the last few years. Sadly the USA space programme has always been an ugly stepchild and doesn't get nearly the admiration it should. Even Sergey Korolev, designer of their rockets, got commemoratives in both countries. John Glenn is a true American hero, but he will say that his wife Annie is the real hero - and you know he might well be right. Makes me wanna buy a DVD of "The Right Stuff".

ricko

I do not have any space memorabilia... but I do have space memories. I was around for Alan Shepards flight, John Glen's flight and all the others. I was living in Florida when the shuttle blew up and I saw the smoke/explosion signature in the sky. Always loved the space program, still do. A shame to see it being put on the back burner. Cheers, RickO

OnlyGoldIsMoney

I remember the day well as a first grader at School #9 in Belleville, NJ. The entire school (students, teachers and janitors) sat in the small, darkened gym for hours watching a huge TV on an elevated stand. We watched every Mercury flight that way.

PonyExpress8

If my memory is correct I would have been in 3rd grade at Cole Ave. school in Highland, CA watching the same thing in the classroom. I think we played astronaut for many weeks after that!

With my first name being Glenn I was always kind of jazzed sharing a name with John Glenn, with 2 N's! LOL

But where has all the time gone.

Thanks for sharing SkyMan, you always have the most interesting things space related and I have been lucky to see some of them on a couple of occasions. I for one always enjoy your posts and reflection on those days of adventure that were so magical to me as a kid.

PipestonePete

John Glenn also had a political career that spanned nearly 25 years. Here are mementos from representing both careers.

DoubleDime

To John Glenn -- SEMPER FI

yellowkid

<< <i>To John Glenn -- SEMPER FI >>


I was living on a Marine Base at the time, it was quite a deal!!

jhdfla

stamp related but cool anyways


I remember it on TV as well.

Recall owning a hardcover book about the Mercury program that came out shortly after Apollo began, as kid I must have read that book 200 times. Manned spaceflight was a big part in our lives in those days. I saw the NOVA program on the preparation and launch of Spirit and Opportunity on NETFLIX this morning, all it did was make me sad that we have fallen so far short of what we could have done by now had the manned space program continued in earnest.

RGJohn

Ah, had only the energies squandered in Viet Nam, etc. been concentrated upon such worthwhile efforts.

Now we can only stand aside as our communist (former enemies) complete that which we never shall, our 40 year advantage notwithstanding. A sad fact.

JazzmanJAB

Here is from 1962




This is from 2006.
I got to meet Mr. Glenn and Mr. Armstrong.
I was surprised how tall they were.




Here is the program.

SkyMan

Some great items guys!

AuroraBorealis

Very cool thread and pics SkyMan...That Atlas piece is very special to own...Congratulations! Nice Frank too
Thank you for reminding us of a great part of our history...

AB

golden

I remember watching it all day in my 6th grade class.