John H Glenn Collection

Mercury Astronauts Receiving the Collier Trophy, White House, Washington, USA, 1963. NASA Administrator James E. Webb (center)

President John F. Kennedy, John Glenn and General Davis in Cocoa Beach Parade, 1962. President Kennedy (left), astronaut John Glenn and General Leighton I

Kennedy Presents Award to Gilruth, 1962. Creator: NASA
Kennedy Presents Award to Gilruth, 1962. US President John F. Kennedy presents Dr. Robert R. Gilruth, Director of the Manned Spacecraft Center, Houston, Texas

Friendship 7, February 20, 1962. Creator: NASA
Friendship 7, February 20, Florida, USA, 1962. At 9:47 am EST, astronaut John Glenn launched from Cape Canaverals Launch Complex 14 to become the first American to orbit the Earth

President Kennedy tours Mercury Control Center, Cape Canaveral, Florida, USA, 1962. President John F. Kennedy is briefed on the operation of Mercury Control Center following the Mercury-Atlas 6 (MA-6)

Beef and vegetables space food, Mercury Friendship 7 mission, 1962. Creator: Unknown
Beef and vegetables space food, Mercury Friendship 7 mission, 1962. This space food package contains pureed beef with vegetables

Binoculars, Friendship 7, 1962. Creator: Hensoldt-Wetzlar
Astronaut John Glenn Jr. carried these binoculars, manufactured by Hensoldt-Wetzlar, into space during the during the flight of Friendship 7, the first U.S

Camera, Leica, Spectrographic, 35mm, Glenn, Friendship 7, ca. 1962. Creator: Leica
With this camera, a Leica 1g model, astronaut John H. Glenn, Jr. carried out the first human-operated, astronomical experiment in space during his pioneering mission on February 20, 1962

Camera, 35mm, Glenn, Friendship 7, ca. 1962. Creator: Minolta
With this camera, an Ansco Autoset model, astronaut John H. Glenn, Jr. took the first human-captured, color still photographs of the Earth during his three-orbit mission on February 20, 1962

Capsule, Mercury, MA-6, 1962. Creator: McDonnell Aircraft Corp
In this historic capsule, John H. Glenn Jr. became the first American to orbit the Earth. Glenns flight was the third manned mission of Project Mercury

Viewfinder, Camera, Leica, Friendship 7, ca. 1962. Creator: Unknown
In order for John Glenn to take photographs during his February 20, 1962 mission while still wearing his bulky spacesuit, NASA engineers modified a Leica camera with this special viewfinder

Rangefinder, Friendship 7, ca. 1962. Creator: Unknown
During his three-orbit flight on February 20, 1962, John Glenn used this photometer/rangefinder to measure the airglow layer around the Earth

First aid kit owned by John Glenn, Mercury-Atlas 6 mission, 1962. Creator: Unknown
First aid kit owned by John Glenn, Mercury-Atlas 6 mission, 1962. This first aid kit was part of the equipment assigned to John Glenn for his historic mission aboard the Mercury spacecraft

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"John H. Glenn: A Pioneer in Space Exploration" In 1963, the Mercury Astronauts were honored with the prestigious Collier Trophy at the White House in Washington, USA. Among them stood John H. Glenn, a true trailblazer of his time. A year prior, in 1962, President John F. Kennedy joined forces with John Glenn and General Davis during a vibrant Cocoa Beach Parade. The trio's presence ignited an atmosphere of excitement and hope for the future of space exploration. President Kennedy continued to recognize the remarkable achievements within NASA as he presented an award to Gilruth that same year. This gesture highlighted Glenn's pivotal role in shaping America's journey into space. Glenn's most iconic moment came on February 20th, 1962 when he embarked on his historic Friendship 7 mission aboard a spacecraft bearing his name. With unwavering determination and courage, he became the first American to orbit Earth, forever etching his name in history books. During this groundbreaking mission, Glenn relied on various tools such as binoculars by Hensoldt-Wetzlar and cameras provided by Leica and Minolta to capture invaluable data about our planet from outer space. The capsule itself was a marvel created by McDonnell Aircraft Corp - the Mercury MA-6 - which carried Glenn safely through the vast expanse of space. As President Kennedy toured Cape Canaveral's Mercury Control Center later that year, it was evident that both he and Glenn shared an unyielding passion for pushing boundaries beyond what seemed possible. Even amidst these incredible accomplishments, it is important not to overlook mundane yet essential aspects like food supply. Beef and vegetable space food sustained Glenn throughout his Friendship 7 mission while fueling dreams of further exploration among millions back on Earth. With each passing milestone achieved by John H. Glenn during this era-defining period ca. 1962-63.