MR. MERCURY: Today, the last of the Mercury 7 slipped the surly bonds of Earth. John Glenn, the first American to orbit our planet, has passed.
President Obama said Glenn's career modeled "courage and a spirit of discovery" and demonostrated that "there's no limit to the heights we can reach together." The president said, "John always had the right stuff, inspiring generations of scientists, engineers and astronauts. ... On behalf of a grateful nation, Godspeed, John Glenn."
NASA Administrator Charles Bolden said, "Senator Glenn's legacy is one of risk and accomplishment, of history created and duty to country carried out under great pressure with the whole world watching. The entire NASA Family will be forever grateful for his outstanding service, commitment and friendship."
The NASA photo below shows Gleen and his Friendship 7 module - the capsule that took him 'round the planet.
Photo: NASA
This old Seattle P-I front page chronicled Glenn's stories flight.
It's also worth noting that Glenn is the oldest American to ever travel to space. At age 77, he flew a mission on the Space Shuttle Discovery in 1998.
Photo: NASA
John Glenn was the epitome of "The Right Stuff."
NASA Administrator Charles Bolden said, "Senator Glenn's legacy is one of risk and accomplishment, of history created and duty to country carried out under great pressure with the whole world watching. The entire NASA Family will be forever grateful for his outstanding service, commitment and friendship."
The NASA photo below shows Gleen and his Friendship 7 module - the capsule that took him 'round the planet.
This old Seattle P-I front page chronicled Glenn's stories flight.
Five years ago, when I was part of the NASA Social for the Mars Curiosity launch, I spent some time at the Astronaut Hall of Fame. There, I lingered in front of this uniform of Glenn's, thinking about all he had seen and done as part of the United States' fledgling spaceflight program.
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