What year did the first U.S. astronaut orbit the Earth? 🔊
John Glenn became the first U.S. astronaut to orbit the Earth on February 20, 1962. During the Mercury-Atlas 6 mission, Glenn completed three orbits around the planet aboard the spacecraft Friendship 7. This groundbreaking achievement was a significant milestone in the U.S. space program and showcased American capabilities during the Cold War, particularly against the backdrop of the space race with the Soviet Union. After his historic flight, Glenn became a national hero and later returned to space at the age of 77 as part of the Space Shuttle Discovery mission in 1998, further solidifying his legacy in space exploration.
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