John Herschel 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

All Professionally Made to Order for Quick Shipping

"John Herschel Glenn: A Pioneer in Space Exploration" In 1963, the Mercury Astronauts were awarded the prestigious Collier Trophy at the White House in Washington, USA. Among them was John Herschel Glenn, a true trailblazer in space exploration. During a Cocoa Beach Parade in 1962, President John F. Kennedy stood alongside John Glenn and General Davis as they were celebrated for their remarkable achievements. The nation looked on with pride as these heroes showcased their bravery and dedication to pushing the boundaries of human potential. President Kennedy recognized Glenn's contributions once again when he presented an award to Robert Gilruth, who played a pivotal role in NASA's success. This moment captured the spirit of collaboration and innovation that defined this era of space exploration. Glenn's most iconic mission took place on February 20, 1962 - Friendship 7. With his spacecraft orbiting Earth three times, he became the first American to orbit our planet. This historic feat propelled humanity into a new era of space travel and inspired generations to dream big. President Kennedy himself witnessed firsthand the incredible work being done at Cape Canaveral's Mercury Control Center during a tour in 1962. His visit highlighted the immense efforts undertaken by NASA and its astronauts like John Glenn to conquer new frontiers. Even mundane aspects such as food had to be reimagined for space travel. Beef and vegetables specially prepared for Glenn's Friendship 7 mission demonstrated how science met sustenance during these groundbreaking missions. To capture every momentous occasion during his journey through space, various cameras accompanied Glenn aboard Friendship 7 - Leica Spectrographic camera or Minolta camera ensured no detail went unnoticed. The capsule itself played an integral role in ensuring safe passage through outer space; McDonnell Aircraft Corp designed it meticulously for each astronaut's mission-specific needs.