Happy 50th Anniversary - US and John Glenn

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SUMMARY

On February 20, 2012, the 50th Anniversary of John Glenn's historic orbit aboard the Friendship 7 Mercury capsule was commemorated. The MA-6 mission, launched on February 20, 1962, marked Glenn as the first American to orbit the Earth, completing three orbits before re-entry. The discussion reflects on the significance of early space missions, contrasting the media attention given to Glenn's anniversary with that of other astronauts like Alan Shepard and Yuri Gagarin. Participants shared nostalgic memories of watching these events unfold on black-and-white television, highlighting the cultural impact of these pioneering missions.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of the Mercury-Atlas 6 mission and its historical context
  • Familiarity with the Apollo 11 mission and its significance in space exploration
  • Knowledge of early space travel technology, including the Mercury capsule and Atlas rocket
  • Awareness of the cultural impact of space missions in the 1960s
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the technical specifications of the Mercury-Atlas 6 mission
  • Explore the historical significance of the Apollo 11 mission and its legacy
  • Investigate the advancements in space technology from the Mercury program to the Apollo program
  • Examine the media coverage of early space missions and its influence on public perception
USEFUL FOR

Aerospace enthusiasts, historians, educators, and anyone interested in the evolution of space exploration and its cultural significance.

Astronuc
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Feb 20, 2012 was the 50th Anniversary of John Glenn's historic orbit of the earth. Flying then orbiting in Friendship 7 (Mercury capsule), Glenn made 2 orbits before re-entering the atmosphere.

"The MA-6 mission was launched February 20, 1962. It made three orbits of the Earth, piloted by astronaut John Glenn, who became the first American to orbit the Earth."
Source - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mercury-Atlas_6

http://www.nasa.gov/externalflash/glenn50/


Seven years, five months later, on 20 July 1969, Apollo 11 crew members, Neil Armstrong and Edwin "Buzz" Aldrin, Jr, landed on the Moon.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apollo_11
 
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It was an outstanding experience watching these early missions on B&W TV.
 
dlgoff said:
It was an outstanding experience watching these early missions on B&W TV.
Dere wasn't no other kind of TV!
 
It irritates me that this is getting more media attention than Shepard's anniversary did.
 
I don't remember hearing anything about the anniversary of Gagarin's flight either. When Shepard flew, we went to the school auditorium to watch the entire flight. When Glenn flew, we watched the liftoff, and the recovery, but not the flight. I brought a transistor radio with me to school and between classes I kept up with the progress. I continued to to this for a few more flights, but they become too routine and took too long for me to maintain my interest.
 
I was so excited I pooped my diapers.
 
I watched a bunch of documentaries and dramatisations on the Mercury, Gemini and Apollo missions quite recently, and I was awestruck with the enormity of it all, it's such a great achievement. I wish there was more interest / coverage in the space missions these days, and more space missions!

<3
 
Ivan Seeking said:
I was so excited I pooped my diapers.

Being in a Mercury capsule on a Atlas rocket would make me poop.
 
dlgoff said:
Being in a Mercury capsule on a Atlas rocket would make me poop.
Our school had one TV in the auditorium/gym, and we would get to watch each launch, and many of the recoveries. Most kids didn't have a TV at home, and the principal/administrator tried to make sure that we got to watch "important" stuff.
 

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