John Glenn's first orbiting craft was named Friendship 7. On February 20, 1962, Glenn became the first American to orbit the Earth aboard this historic spacecraft. The mission, part of NASA's Mercury program, lasted just under five hours and successfully completed three orbits around the planet.

Friendship 7 was a Mercury-Atlas 6 spacecraft, with Glenn as its sole occupant. The mission was a major milestone in the Space Race between the United States and the Soviet Union, showcasing American technological prowess and space exploration capabilities.

For more information on John Glenn and the Friendship 7 mission, you can visit the official NASA website at www.nasa.gov. There, you can find detailed information on the Mercury program, Glenn's historic flight, and the significance of Friendship 7 in the history of space exploration.

In addition to the NASA website, you can also visit the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum's website at airandspace.si.edu for more information on Friendship 7 and its place in the museum's collection. The museum houses a full-scale replica of the spacecraft, allowing visitors to get a firsthand look at this iconic piece of American space history.

Overall, John Glenn's Friendship 7 mission was a groundbreaking achievement that paved the way for future space exploration efforts. The successful orbit of Earth by an American astronaut marked a significant milestone in the quest to explore the cosmos and push the boundaries of human achievement.

As we continue to reach for the stars and explore the unknown, the legacy of Friendship 7 and John Glenn's historic flight will always hold a special place in the annals of space exploration history.

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