In honor of the 55th anniversary of John's flight
I wouldn't be surprised if the Mercury 7 were having air races up in heaven...
Thanks for creating this thread. For awhile, I was afraid that this anniversary wasn't going to get the notice that it deserves.For the last few weeks, I've been thinking of a particular irony surrounding this anniversary.55 years ago, on Feb 20th, 1962, America launched John Glenn into orbit, making 2 entities that could launch people into orbit. Both entities were governments: The Russians and the Americans.If you had asked the proverbial "man on the street" in 1962 what he might predict for 2017 - 55 years later - he may have responded with all kinds of predictions. I expect he would be quite astonished, though, to hear that 55 years on, there are still just 2 entities that can launch people into orbit."Wow!", he might exclaim. "So it's still the Russians and the Americans, then.""Wrong!" you'd have to say - "It's the Russians and the Chinese!" I found it quite ironic; looking at the two points in time. In a few years we expect this all to change. We should then have 5 entities capable of orbital flight (and a first-ever mix of government & commercial): Russia, China, NASA, SpaceX, Boeing. But what a moment it is today. America, who 55 years ago matched the Russians and went on to win the Moon, now can't launch her own people into orbit.
But what a moment it is today. America, who 55 years ago matched the Russians and went on to win the Moon, now can't launch her own people into orbit.
Altered post above to reflect this. But I have a friend who firmly believes my original version; due to anecdotes passed down to him.
NASA pre-launch press release says the choice of a one, two or three-orbit mission would be made shortly before launch.