John Glenn and Katherine Johnson's Contributions

The transcript details the challenges and preparations for sending John Glenn into space and safely returning him to Earth. It highlights the technical difficulties, the role of human and electronic computers, and the rigorous preparation by Glenn. The successful mission, despite delays and risks, led to widespread celebration and recognition, particularly for Catherine Johnson's crucial calculations.

What was the primary concern for Catherine Johnson and her team regarding the space mission?

• Communicating with the astronaut

• Launching the rocket successfully

• Building a new spacecraft

• Returning the astronaut safely to Earth

How many of the Atlas rocket's previous launches had ended in failure?

• Three

• Two

• One

• Four

What was the main function of the Mercury capsule's oxygen and pressurization systems?

• To provide power to the spacecraft

• To protect the astronaut from the vacuum of space

• To communicate with mission control

• To navigate the spacecraft

What was John Glenn's profession before becoming an astronaut?

• Doctor

• Test pilot

• Engineer

• Scientist

Why was the launch of Project Mercury delayed multiple times?

• Technical challenges and weather conditions

• Lack of funding

• Political reasons

• Astronaut's health issues

Who did John Glenn trust to verify the calculations for his mission?

• His fellow astronauts

• Katherine Johnson

• The mission control team

• The electronic computers

What issue did John Glenn face during the first orbit of his mission?

• Fuel shortage

• Automatic control system malfunction

• Communication failure

• Navigation error

What was the reason for the minor error in Friendship 7's landing?

• Incorrect trajectory calculations

• Weather conditions

• Added weight of the rocket

• Communication failure

How was Katherine Johnson recognized for her contributions to the mission?

• A personal letter from John Glenn

• A feature in the Pittsburgh Courier

• A medal from NASA

• A parade in her honor