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About the Space Race
Beginning of Space Race
The space race started during the Cold War when the Soviet Union sent a satellite into space. Americans were afraid of them having control of space so they sent one of their own up there. -
The Seven Pioneers
When the race started, NASA was looking for astronauts. President Eisenhower and Congress made it NASA's responsiblilty to get the first human into space. The president said that they could only choose someone from the military. -
Choosing Pilots
NASA had plenty of people to choose from. They had about 508 people but only needed seven of them. The pilots had to be 5' 11" or taller, between 25 and 40 years old, and had to have 1,500 hours of flying time. That helped NASA shorten their list. They finally picked the seven that were going to space. -
Astronaut Training
Space Exploration
Training for these seven men were not easy. Each one of them took a turn to be spun around at high speeds. They stopped spinning when the pressure on their bodies was 16 times of their own weight. -
Vomit Comet
The next test was called the Vomit Comet. It was just like a roller coaster where it would go up and down. Glenn had a fun time with this one. Instead of getting sick, he does flips and walks on the ceiling. -
First Flights
NASA had hoped that they could send one of their astronauts into space. Unfortunately, the Soviets were successful enough to launch Yuri Gagarin into orbit. He circled the Earth in 108 minutes and then landed safely. -
U.S.'s First Astronaut
The U.S. finally sends their first astronaut, Alan Shepard, into space. Alan's 15 minute sub-orbital flight did not impress the Soviet Union. It does shows that the Americans are still in the race. -
More Pilots Sent Off to Space
Astronaut Gus Grissom repeats Shepard's small flight into space. But after falling into the water, his capsule sunk. Grissom almost drown in the water. He was rescued and was safe. About a month later, the second Soviet's flight lasted about 25 hours and circled the globe 16 times. -
John Glenn's Flight
Space Race Facts
John Glenn, the backup astronaut for both Shepard and Grissom, was scheduled to fly. His mission was to circle Earth and if he was successful, the Americans would be able to send warheads anywhere on the planet. After several delays, Glenn is woke up at 2:20 a.m. for a planned 7:30 launch. -
Glenn Starts his Journey
Glenn rode an elevator up to his capsule. His family decided to name it Friendship 7. Afterwards Glenn said, "Flying around the world, over all those countries, friendship was the message I wanted to convey." -
Embarrasing Accident with Space Craft
While Glenn closed the capsule hatch, a bolt breaks, then fuel is needed, a valve sticks, and a tracking station goes down. Glenn waits inside a cabin so small, he can barely move. Over 100 million people sit in front of their TVs. With his periscope, Glenn can see thousands parked along the Florida beaches. -
Blast Off
A big flame from the bottom of the rocket at 9:47 in the morning shows that the rocket is going to move. In a minute, the engines burn more fuel than a jet flight from New York to Los Angeles. The boosters cut off, and Glenn watches the rocket fall away. Then he is orbiting the Earth. -
Returning Home
John Glenn starts coming back toward Earth. When the fire outside stops, he runs out of fuel. He can still talk to NASA but they can't do anything. Because of that, he was about to pull the parachute early when it automatically did it by itself. -
Glenn Makes History
John Glenn has done great things. He has also been awarded like the Medal of Honor from the Congress. Friendship 7 is placed in the Smithsonian Museum next to the historic airplanes flown by the Wright brothers and Charles Lindbergh. He was also elected to the United States Senate from Ohio and he served for 4 terms. -
Glenn's Not Done
Glenn Returns to Space
Glenn makes even more history. He becomes the oldest person to fly in space. He does studies on how the space flight can effect age.
