A Tribute to John Glenn

John Glenn, the first American to orbit Earth, was a pivotal figure in the space race. Born in 1921, he served as a fighter pilot in WWII and the Korean War before becoming a test pilot and astronaut. Selected from over 500 applicants, Glenn's historic 1962 flight faced challenges, including manual control issues and a suspected heat shield problem, which he overcame with calmness. After retiring from the Marines, he served as an Ohio senator and returned to space at 77, becoming the oldest person to fly in space. His missions contributed to understanding spaceflight's effects on humans.

What significant event prompted John Glenn to leave college and enlist in the military?

• The launch of Sputnik

• The end of World War II

• The Korean War

• The attack on Pearl Harbor

What was the name of John Glenn's spacecraft during his first orbit around Earth?

• Mercury 7

• Friendship 7

• Discovery

• Apollo 11

What issue did John Glenn face with the spacecraft's heat shield during his historic flight?

• It overheated

• It was too heavy

• It was not properly attached

• It was missing

In what year did John Glenn become the oldest person to fly in space?

• 1974

• 2001

• 1998

• 1962

What was one of the main objectives of John Glenn's space mission at the age of 77?

• To conduct a spacewalk

• To test new spacecraft technology

• To establish a new space station

• To study the effects of spaceflight on older individuals