The Mercury spacecraft, named Friendship 7, was carried to orbit by an Atlas LV-3B launch vehicle lifting off from Launch Complex 14 at Cape Canaveral, Florida.

Nov 20, 2006 · The Mercury countdown began on January 27, 1962 and was performed in two parts. Precount checks out the primary spacecraft systems, followed by a 17.5 hour hold for pyrotechnic …

Dec 8, 2025 · This was the third launch of a manned Mercury spacecraft, and the first time that an Atlas rocket had been used. Aboard the Mercury was John Glenn, making his first space flight.

John Glenn Orbits Earth, Transforming U.S. Space History John Glenn prepares for the historic Mercury-Atlas 6 launch in 1962. When astronaut John Glenn lifted off from Cape Canaveral on …

What is Mercury-Atlas 6? Mercury-Atlas 6 was the first crewed American orbital spaceflight, which took place on February 20, 1962.

Mercury-Atlas 6 was the third crewed spaceflight for the United States. The spacecraft, named Friendship 7, completed three orbits making John Glenn the first United States astronaut to orbit Earth.

Splashdown occurred in the Atlantic Ocean about 166 miles east of Grand Turk Island. The capsule remained on the water just 21 minutes before being recovered, and Glenn remained inside the …

Nov 19, 2025 · An Atlas launch vehicle propelled a Mercury spacecraft into Earth orbit and enabled astronaut John Glenn to circle Earth three times. The flight lasted a total of 4 hours, 55 minutes, and …

This site allows you to explore transcripts of radio communications between John Glenn aboard Friendship 7 and the NASA personnel at monitoring stations around the world, along with …

Oct 29, 1998 · Mercury-Atlas 6 was the third crewed spaceflight for the United States. The spacecraft, named Friendship 7, completed three orbits making John Glenn the first United States astronaut to …