Timeline event · 20 February 1962 · The Space Race
Glenn Becomes the First American to Orbit the Earth
John Glenn circles the Earth three times aboard Friendship 7, the first American to orbit the planet.
Highlights
- ›First American in orbit
Missions, people & worlds
Knowledge connections
- Part ofThe Space Race
- Associated withFriendship 7 (Mercury-Atlas 6)
- Associated withJohn Glenn
- Associated withProject Mercury
Sources
The primary and reference sources this topic draws on.
- NASANational Aeronautics and Space Administration
Mission data, planetary science, space telescopes, and public-domain imagery.
Most NASA-produced imagery is in the public domain; individual items are checked for usage terms before publication.