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IMAGO International History, Archive, Space travel, USA, Friendship 7 with John Glenn 1962

Nov 20, 2025

The following photos have been selected for you by the IMAGO picture desk on this topic. For more pictures please use the search function.

  • John Glenn Dies at 95 FILE PHOTO: Project Mercury astronaut John H. Glenn, Jr., enters the Mercury-Atlas 6 (MA-6) Friendship 7 spacecraft during the last part of the countdown at Cape Canaveral, Florida on February 20, 1962. At 9:47 a.m. (EST), the Atlas launch vehicle lifted the spacecraft into orbit for a three-orbit mission lasting 4 hours, 55 minutes and 23 seconds. Glenn and his spacecraft were recovered by the destroyer U.S.S. NOA just 21 minutes after landing in the Atlantic Ocean near Grand Turk Island, to successfully complete the nation s first manned orbital flight. Photo Credit: NASA CNP AdMedia Cape Canaveral Texas United States of America EDITORIAL USE ONLY Copyright: xx S63-01207 CNP AdMediax admphotostwo312137
  • MERCURY-ATLAS 6 CAPSULE, 1962. The Friendship 7 capsule from the Mercury-Atlas 6 spaceflight, in which Astronaut John Glenn became the first American to orbit Earth. Photograph by Thomas O Halloran, 21 February 1962. Copyright: xGRANGERx xGRANGERx 0621548
  • MERCURY-ATLAS 6, 1962. Overall view of Mercury spacecraft Friendship 7 and Atlas booster, at Cape Canaveral, Florida, 23 January 1962, four weeks prior to transporting astronaut John Glenn on the mission which saw him orbit the Earth three times. Copyright: xGRANGERx xGRANGERx 0066389
  • MERCURY-ATLAS 6, 1962. The launching of Mercury-Atlas 6 at Cape Canaveral, Florida, on 20 February 1962. Aboard is Astronaut John F. Glenn, Jr., on his way to three orbits about the Earth. Copyright: xGRANGERx xGRANGERx 0004739
  • Glenn Altitude Chamber Test Astronaut John H. Glenn Jr., suited with hose to suit ventilation unit attached, during altitude chamber test in 1961. He is standing in the entrance to the test chamber with his helmet visor down..Credit: NASA via CNP Houston Texas United States of America EDITORIAL USE ONLY Copyright: xx M61-0150 NASAx cnpphotos064352
  • Glenn Blood Test Mercury astronaut John H. Glenn Jr. has a blood sample taken by Astronaut Nurse Delores B. O Hara, R.N., in the Aeromedical Laboratory at Cape Canaveral, Florida on July 5, 1961. .Credit: NASA via CNP Cape Canaveral Florida United States of America EDITORIAL USE ONLY Copyright: xx NASAx cnpphotos064319
  • Original 7 Astronauts The Original 7 Mercury Astronauts are pictured around a table admiring an Atlas model on April 30, 1959. Standing, left to right are Alan B. Shepard, Jr., Walter M. Schirra, Jr., and John H. Glenn, Jr.; sitting, left to right are Virgil I. Grissom, M. Scott Carpenter, Donald Slayton, and L. Gordon Cooper, Jr. The Mercury 7 astronauts were introduced to the American public in April 1959. The seven criteria for selection were as follows: 1. less than 40 years old; 2. less than 5 foot 11 inches tall: 3. excellent physical condition; 4. bachelor s degree in engineering or equivalent; 5. test-pilot school graduate; 6. minimum of 1,500 hours flying time; 7. qualified jet pilot. However, the process of choosing the first as Copyright: xx S62-02704 EL-1996-00070 108758 NASAx cnpphotos032500
  • Glenn Inspects Friendship 7 Astronaut John H. Glenn, Jr. checks the Friendship 7 spacecraft after completing three orbits around the Earth, traveling at 17,500 miles per hour on February 20, 1962. The destroyer Noa picked-up Glenn and the spacecraft 21 minutes after landing near Grand Turk Island. A capsule technician inside the spacecraft checks the interior for any damage. Credit: NASA via CNP At Sea Aboard the USS NOA United States of America EDITORIAL USE ONLY Copyright: xx 62-MA6-137 MA6-41 NASAx cnpphotos032476
  • Glean Eats Breakfast Prior to MA-6 Flight Astronaut John H. Glenn, Jr. (center) eats breakfast on February 20, 1962 prior to his launch from Cape Canaveral, Florida into Earth-orbit aboard Friendship 7. Dr. William K. Douglas is at right. Unidentified person at left may be Astronaut Donald K. Deke Slayton. Credit: NASA via CNP Cape Canaveral Florida United States of America EDITORIAL USE ONLY Copyright: xx S62-00966 NASAx cnpphotos032454
  • John Glenn With T.J. O Malley and Paul Donnelly in Front of Friendship 7 Grouped together with astronaut John H. Glenn, Jr., beside Friendship 7 spacecraft are left to right: T.J. O Malley, chief test conductor for General Dynamics; Glenn; and Paul Donnell at Cape Canaveral, Florida on January 24, 1962. Credit: NASA via CNP Cape Canaveral Florida United States of America EDITORIAL USE ONLY Copyright: xx 62-MA6-58 GPN-2002-000049 NASAx cnpphotos032444
  • Glenn Trains for MA-6 Astronaut John H. Glenn, Jr. enters the Friendship 7 spacecraft during rehearsal exercises at Cape Canaveral, Florida on January 23, 1962 Credit: NASA via CNP Cape Canaveral Florida United States of America EDITORIAL USE ONLY Copyright: xx 62-MA6-50 MA6-1 NASAx cnpphotos032443
  • Astronauts meet von Braun Five of the seven original astronauts are seen with Dr. Wernher von Braun inspecting the Mercury-Redstone hardware in the Fabrication Laboratory of Army Ballistic Missile Agency (ABMA) in Huntsville, Alabama in 1959. Left to right: Astronauts Walter Schirra, Alan Shepard, John Glenn, Scott Carpenter, Gordon Cooper, and Dr. von Braun. Credit: NASA via CNP Huntsville Alabama United States of America EDITORIAL USE ONLY Copyright: xx MSFC-75-SA-4105-2C MSFC-6975366 NASAx cnpphotos032425
  • Von Braun Briefs Astronauts Dr. Wernher von Braun, Director of the U.S. Army Ballistic Missile Agency s (ABMA) Development Operations Division, is shown briefing the seven original Mercury astronauts in ABMA s Fabrication Laboratory. (Left to right) Guss Grissom, Walter Schirra, Alan Shepard, John Glenn, Scott Carpenter, Gordon Cooper, Donald Slayton, and Dr. von Braun. Credit: NASA via CNP Huntsville Alabama United States of America EDITORIAL USE ONLY Copyright: xx MSFC-75-SA-4105-2C MSFC-9611674 NASAx cnpphotos032424
  • American Astronaute John Glenn Dies at 95 Astronaut John H. Glenn Jr. dons his silver Mercury pressure suit in preparation for launch. On February 20, 1962 Glenn lifted off into space aboard his Mercury Atlas (MA-6) rocket and became the first American to orbit the Earth. After orbiting the Earth 3 times, Friendship 7 landed in the Atlantic Ocean 4 hours, 55 minutes and 23 seconds later, just East of Grand Turk Island in the Bahamas. Glenn and his capsule were recovered by the Navy Destroyer Noa, 21 minutes after splashdown. Please note: Fees charged by the agency are for the agency 2019 ;s services only, and do not, nor are they intended to, convey to the user any ownership of Copyright or License in the material. The agency does not claim Copyright: xABACAx 574584_009 ABACAx 574584_009
  • Astronaut John H. Glenn, one of the original seven astronauts for Mercury Project selected by NASA on April 27, 1959. The MA-6 mission, boosted by the Mercury-Atlas vehicle, was the first manned orbital launch by the United States, and carried Astronaut Glenn aboard the Friendship 7 spacecraft to orbit the Earth. Copyright: xpiemagsx piemagsspace-160656 !ACHTUNG AUFNAHMEDATUM GESCHÄTZT!
  • Astronaut John Glenn enters the Mercury spacecraft, Friendship 7, prior to the launch of MA-6 on February 20, 1961 and became the first American who orbited the Earth. The MA-6 mission was the first manned orbital flight boosted by the Mercury-Atlas vehicle, a modified Atlas ICBM (Intercontinental Ballistic Missile), lasted for five hours, and orbited the Earth three times. Copyright: xpiemagsx piemagsspace-160354 !ACHTUNG AUFNAHMEDATUM GESCHÄTZT!
  • S64-14848 (20 Feb. 1962) --- Astronaut John H. Glenn Jr. dons spacesuit during preflight operations at Cape Canaveral, Feb. 20, 1962, the day he flew his Mercury-Atlas 6 spacecraft, Friendship 7, into orbital flight around Earth. Copyright: xpiemagsx piemagsspace-159322 !ACHTUNG AUFNAHMEDATUM GESCHÄTZT!
  • S64-14854 (20 Feb. 1962) --- Astronaut John H. Glenn Jr. and technicians inspect a decal ready for application to the side of his Mercury spacecraft prior to launch on Feb. 20, 1962. The decal reads Friendship 7 . Copyright: xpiemagsx piemagsspace-115587 !ACHTUNG AUFNAHMEDATUM GESCHÄTZT!
  • 62-MA6-55 (1962) --- Astronaut John H. Glenn Jr., pilot of the Mercury Atlas 6 (MA-6) spaceflight, poses for a photo with the Mercury Friendship 7 spacecraft during preflight activities. Copyright: xpiemagsx piemagsspace-98925 !ACHTUNG AUFNAHMEDATUM GESCHÄTZT!
  • S62-00993 (1962) --- Astronaut John H. Glenn Jr., pilot of the Mercury-Atlas 6 (MA-6) mission, practices insertion into the Mercury Friendship 7 spacecraft during MA-6 preflight training activity at Cape Canaveral, Florida. He is wearing the full pressure suit and helmet. Copyright: xpiemagsx piemagsspace-54403 !ACHTUNG AUFNAHMEDATUM GESCHÄTZT!
  • S62-00957 (20 Feb. 1962) --- Project Mercury astronaut John H. Glenn Jr., enters the Friendship 7 spacecraft during the last part of the countdown on Feb. 20, 1962. At 9 47 a.m. (EST), the Atlas launch vehicle lifted the spacecraft into orbit for a three-orbit mission lasting four hours, 55 minutes and 23 seconds. Glenn and his spacecraft were recovered by the destroyer Noa just 21 minutes after landing in the Atlantic near Grand Turk Island, to successfully complete the nation s first manned orbital flight. Copyright: xpiemagsx piemagsspace-54401 !ACHTUNG AUFNAHMEDATUM GESCHÄTZT!
  • S62-00941 (20 Feb. 1962) --- The Mercury-Atlas 6 (MA-6) Friendship 7 spacecraft is retrieved from the Atlantic Ocean following astronaut John H. Glenn Jr. s three-orbit space mission. In this view, the capsule is still in the water, with retrieval cable connected to it. Copyright: xpiemagsx piemagsspace-54399 !ACHTUNG AUFNAHMEDATUM GESCHÄTZT!
  • S62-00371 (20 Feb. 1962) --- Mercury astronaut John H. Glenn Jr., pilot of the Mercury-Atlas 6 (MA-6) spaceflight, enters the Mercury Friendship 7 spacecraft during the MA-6 prelaunch preparations at Cape Canaveral, Florida. Glenn became the first American to orbit Earth. Copyright: xpiemagsx piemagsspace-54397 !ACHTUNG AUFNAHMEDATUM GESCHÄTZT!
  • S62-00965 (20 Feb. 1962) --- Astronaut John H. Glenn Jr., finishes suiting up, and prepares for the launch of his Mercury-Atlas 6 (MA-6) spacecraft. The MA-6 Friendship 7 mission marks America s first manned Earth-orbiting spaceflight. Copyright: xpiemagsx piemagsspace-44571 !ACHTUNG AUFNAHMEDATUM GESCHÄTZT!
  • S62-00377 (20 Feb. 1962) --- Astronaut John H. Glenn Jr., walking out of building with Dr. William K. Douglas (to Glenn s left), and Joe W. Schmitt, NASA s suit technician (in front of Dr. Douglas). This Mercury Atlas 6 (MA-6) Friendship 7 flight marks America s first manned Earth-orbiting spaceflight. Copyright: xpiemagsx piemagsspace-39487 !ACHTUNG AUFNAHMEDATUM GESCHÄTZT!
  • CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Astronaut John H. Glenn Jr. enters his Mercury capsule, Friendship 7, as he prepares for launch of the Mercury-Atlas rocket. On February 20, 1962, Glenn lifted off into space aboard his Mercury Atlas 6 MA-6 rocket and became the first American to orbit the Earth. After orbiting the Earth 3 times, Friendship 7 landed in the Atlantic Ocean 4 hours, 55 minutes and 23 seconds later, just East of Grand Turk Island in the Bahamas. Glenn and his capsule were recovered by the Navy Destroyer Noa, 21 minutes after splashdown. Copyright: xpiemagsx piemagsspace-934 !ACHTUNG AUFNAHMEDATUM GESCHÄTZT!
  • CAPE CANAVERAL ---- LT.-COL. JOHN GLENN SHOWING PRESIDENT KENNEDY THE MERCURY CAPSULE FRIENDSHIP 7 IN WHICH HE MADE THREE ORBITS OF THE EARTH , AT CAP CANAVERAL, FLORIDA, YESTERDAY. THE ASTRONAUT IS SEEN WEARING THE NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION S DISTINGUISHED SERVICE MEDAL WHICH THE PRESIDENT HAD JUST PRESENTED TO HIM. LOOKING ON ARE THE ASTRONAUT S CHILDREN LYN (14) AND DAVID (16). .JEP WST BELGA. x301635x
  • February 20, 2018 - U.S. - Image Released Today: On Feb. 20, 1962, John Glenn made history by becoming the first U.S. astronaut to orbit the place we call home, planet Earth. This fish-eye view shows him ingressing Friendship 7, the Mercury-Atlas 6 spacecraft, during the last part of the countdown into history. U.S. - ZUMAz03_ 20180220_sha_z03_348 Copyright: xNASAx
  • December 8, 2016 - (File Photo) - John Glenn, the first American to orbit the Earth and a former U.S. senator and war hero, has died. He was 95. PICTURED: February 23, 1962 - Cape Canaveral, Florida, U.S. - President JOHN F. KENNEDY and Astronaut JOHN GLENN look into the Mercury Friendship 7 space capsule that carried Glenn into space at the Cape Canaveral Air Force Station. Glenn was awarded the Distinguished Service Medal by the President following his historic flight. Cape Canaveral U.S. - ZUMAz03_ 20161208_sha_z03_023
  • John Glenn, the first American to orbit the Earth and a former U.S. senator and war hero, has died. He was 95. PICTURED: February 20, 1962 - Cape Canaveral, United States of America - Astronaut John Glenn enters his Mercury Friendship 7 capsule in preparation for launch at the Kennedy Space Center February 20, 1962 in Cape Canaveral, Florida. Glenn became the first American to fly a manned orbital space flight aboard the craft. Cape Canaveral United States of America - ZUMAz03_ 20161208_sha_z03_019
  • Astronaut John H. Glenn Jr., pilot of the Mercury Atlas 6 (MA-6) spaceflight, poses for a photo with the Mercury Friendship 7 spacecraft during preflight activities. Copyright: StocktrekxImages stk204354s