An American astronaut who became the first American to orbit the Earth in 1962, and later, in 1998 at age 77, the oldest person to fly in space aboard the Space Shuttle. He also served as a United States senator from Ohio.
Facts
Defining ContributionFirst American to orbit the Earth 1 Notable MissionFriendship 7 (1962), STS-95 (1998) 2 Updated to add Glenn's second spaceflight, STS-95 in 1998, beside his 1962 Friendship 7 flight. Cross-Tradition Connections
Associated With
Johnson verified the electronic computer's orbital trajectory calculations for Glenn's Friendship 7 flight at his own request.
Missions Crewed
Sources
1. NASA Astronaut Biographies
National Aeronautics and Space Administration
2. Wikipedia (space and spaceflight articles)
Wikimedia FoundationJohn Glenn, lead sectionQuote, John Glenn, lead section
John Herschel Glenn Jr.
2. Wikipedia (space and spaceflight articles)
Wikimedia FoundationJohn Glenn, Space Shuttle sectionQuote, John Glenn, Space Shuttle section
In 1998, he flew into space again at the age of 77.
2. Wikipedia (space and spaceflight articles)
Wikimedia FoundationJohn Glenn, Wikipedia - lead sectionQuote, John Glenn, Wikipedia - lead section
John Herschel Glenn Jr. (July 18, 1921 - December 8, 2016) was an American Marine Corps aviator, astronaut, businessman, and politician.
2. Wikipedia (space and spaceflight articles)
Wikimedia FoundationAssociated With: Katherine Johnson, Katherine Johnson, Wikipedia - Career section (Glenn verification)Quote, Associated With: Katherine Johnson, Katherine Johnson, Wikipedia - Career section (Glenn verification)
Glenn had asked for her specifically and had refused to fly unless Johnson verified the calculations.
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