An American Hero Flies Again

How did one astronaut help science twice?

The idea of a person flying into space was a dream until the 1950s. That’s when United States and Soviet Union scientists began a space race to make the dream a reality. The Soviet Union pulled ahead, launching two satellites, Sputnik 1 and Sputnik 2, into space in 1957. The U.S. needed a plan to catch up. The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), was formed to put an astronaut into space. John Glenn would be that astronaut.

The mission to get a manned spacecraft into orbit was called Project Mercury. Scientists at NASA raced to get a spacecraft ready for launch, but the Soviet Union beat the U.S. again when Yuri Gagarin, a Soviet cosmonaut, orbited Earth in 1961. Ten months later, Glenn climbed aboard the 10-foot-long Friendship 7 and became the first American to circle Earth in a spacecraft. The U.S. had finally caught up with the Soviet Union in the space race.

Glenn’s flight lasted only 4 hours, 55 minutes, 23 seconds from liftoff to touchdown back to Earth. During that time, Glenn orbited Earth, three times. It was a historical mission. However, this was not the end of the space race. The next step was getting the first person on the moon. Glenn worked on the cockpit layout and control functions on the Apollo Project. His efforts helped get U.S. astronaut Neil Armstrong to the moon on July 20, 1969.

He was already a hero when he served his country as a fighter pilot in World War II, but at NASA, Glenn was a hero to science. After leaving NASA, Glenn served his country as a U.S. Senator. Then in 1998, at age 77, Senator Glenn would get his chance to help science again.

Discovery Mission

NASA scientists needed to find out the best way to study the effects of aging on the body. They needed a qualified older astronaut who was healthy enough to make the trip. That person would also launch a spacecraft to study the heat and winds surrounding the sun. Again, Glenn was chosen.

On board the STS-95 Discovery, Glenn wore monitors on his chest and head to measure changes in his heartbeat and brain waves. As people grow older, they experience physical problems. These include losing their balance and even losing some muscle. The conditions in space have similar effects on astronauts. Studying how Glenn was affected by space travel would help scientists understand aging better.

Ready, Set, Blast Off!

Glenn wasn’t automatically accepted for the 1998 mission. First, he had to pass physical tests to make sure he was healthy enough. Then he had months of preparation. One of the requirements was the ability to save himself in case of an emergency. Glenn admits that he was creakier than the rest of the crew. “I don’t bend in the same directions they bend,” he said.

As Glenn got ready to board Discovery, thousands of excited fans cheered him on. Among them were Daniel and Zach Glenn, the astronaut’s grandsons. “It’s a little scary,” admitted Dan, 16, “but pretty neat that he went up so long ago and is going up again.” Zach, 13, said, “He is a great guy and a really nice grandpa. He’s an American hero.” There’s no dispute about that.

Studying an Aging Astronaut

1962 1998

John Glenn
Height:
Hair Color:
Age: / 5 feet 10 inches
Red
40 / 5 feet 10 inches
White
77
The Spacecraft
Name:
Crew Size:
Windows:
Computers:
Weight: / Friendship 7
1
1
0
4,256 pounds / Discovery
7
10
5
153,819 pounds
The Mission
Name:
Launch Date:
Duration:
Distance Flown: / Mercury 6
February 20, 1962
4 hr. 55 min. 23 sec.
75,679 miles / STS-95
October 29, 1998
8 days 21 hr. 44 min
3,680,000 miles

Questions:

1.  What problem did the U.S. face with the space program in 1961?

2.  In what three ways did John Glenn serve his country?

3.  Why do you think John Glenn is

described as a hero?

4.  How does “An American Hero Flies

Again” relate to the theme of “good

citizens”?

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