VM-51

EARLY 1960s COMPUTER
TIMES SQUARE, LONDON, PARIS, HONG KONG, MEXICO, ETC.. TV
SETS; GROUND CONTROL; NAVY SHIPS; MOON; TV CAMERAS
ASTRONAUT JOHN GLENN
LAUNCH DATE: FEBRUARY 20, 1962
JOHN GLENN WAITED 3 YEARS TO CROSS THE THRESHOLD OF SPACE AND
ORBIT THE EARTH. TRACKING STATIONS ARE READY AS ALL THE
WORLD AWAITS THE FLIGHT OF FRIENDSHIP 7. THE SPACECRAFT IS
LAUNCHED AND INSERTED INTO ORBIT. AMERICA'S FIRST GLOBAL
ASTRONAUT CIRCLES THE EARTH EVERY 88 MINUTES. HIS
OBSERVATIONS AND REACTIONS ARE SHOWN WHILE THE RHYTHMIC BEAT
OF HIS HEART IS HEARD IN THE BACKGROUND. SIGN OF IMPENDING
DISASTER ARE RELAYED TO GLENN WITH RECOMMENDATIONS FOR
REENTRY. FRIENDSHIP 7 ENCOUNTERS THE SEARING HEAT OF THE
ATMOSPHERE WHICH GLENN DESCRIBES AS A REAL FIREBALL OUTSIDE.
THIS DRAMATIC ACCOUNT ENDS WITH GLENN'S RECOVERY AND
CONGRATULATIONS ONBOARD SHIP.