Col. John Glenn

Col. Glenn rode the Friendship 7 under NASA's Mercury-Atlas 6 mission, marking the first human to orbit around Earth in 1962. Signifying a significant technological advancement for the U.S. and hope for the future, Col. Glenn's spaceflight solidified him as a national hero, resulting in a sense of national technological pride during a period characterized by competition, specifically against the Soviet Union. Causing a restoration of national confidence, creating a social and political impact through parades and the support of President John F. Kennedy (1917-1963), Col, Glenn's spaceflight greatly inspired the continuation of the Apollo Programs, leading to the Moon landing to take place in 1969, ultimately symbolizing the evolution of future space exploration.