CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. (AP) — The name still resonates like few others in the world of spaceflight: John Glenn.
The first American to orbit the Earth, aboard Friendship 7 on Feb. 20, 1962. The oldest person to fly in space, at age 77 aboard shuttle Discovery in 1998. U.S., senator for four terms, and one-time presidential candidate. He is the namesake of a NASA center as well as a university's school of public affairs.
Glenn aboard Friendship7 in 1962
"It's amazing to me to look back 50 years and think that it's been 50 years," Glenn said, seated in his top-floor office.
Now 90 and living in Columbus Ohio, Glenn just recently gave up flying and sold his twin-engine Beechcraft Baron. It was tough hopping up on a wing to climb aboard the plane. Glenn and his wife, Annie, who turns 92 on Friday, both had knee replacements last year.
"We decided it was time to pack it in," Glenn said.
Besides, his goal was to fly the plane until 90, "and I did that."
Glenn has been awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross on six occasions, and holds the Air Medal with 18 Clusters for his service during World War II and Korea.
U.S. Sen. John H. Glenn Jr. (D.-Ohio), payload specialist for STS-95 Space Shuttle Discovery 1998.
Glenn is about to accomplish another first in Space flight by celebrating the fiftieth anniversary of his first space flight.
Glenn was honored as a national hero and was not allowed to again fly in space during the moon race. America and NASA considered him too much of a national treasure to risk him on another mission. Consequently, he only flew in space twice. The second time in space at 77 years old aboard Discovery was an honor for the senior astronaut. Still, it was no simple feat; he was required to pass the physical and the endurance training, he performed his duties in space admirably.
Glenn has been awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross on six occasions, and holds the Air Medal with 18 Clusters for his service during World War II and Korea.
Glenn is about to accomplish another first in Space flight by celebrating the fiftieth anniversary of his first space flight.
Glenn was honored as a national hero and was not allowed to again fly in space during the moon race. America and NASA considered him too much of a national treasure to risk him on another mission. Consequently, he only flew in space twice. The second time in space at 77 years old aboard Discovery was an honor for the senior astronaut. Still, it was no simple feat; he was required to pass the physical and the endurance training, he performed his duties in space admirably.
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