How do you track a spacecraft hurtling around the globe at 17,500 miles per hour?  Although scientists and engineers started to solve this problem when the first satellites were launch in 1957 and 1958, it took on particular urgency when the spacecraft contained an astronaut.  On the 51st anniversary of John Glenn’s historic flight as the first American to orbit the Earth in 1962, Space History curator Margaret A. Weitekamp will talk about the development of Mercury Control, which later became Mission Control.

The Ask An Expert lecture series at the National Mall building is presented every Wednesday at noon. A Museum staff member talks to the public about the history, collection, or personalities related to a specific artifact or exhibition in the Museum.

Participants should meet at the Welcome Center in the Milestones of Flight gallery (Gallery 100).