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Rangefinders such as this one used by John Glenn on his Mercury Friendship 7 mission in 1962, help a photographer determine the distance between the camera and the target to be photographed. The device allowed Glenn to properly focus his cameras to capture images of Earth and space, the first taken by an American astronaut. Glenn could use this device with his visor down, allowing him to put the rubber eyepiece against the visor and look through it and out the small window of his capsule.

NASA transferred this rangefinder to the Museum along with all other "Friendship 7" equipment in 1967.

 Display Status

This object is not on display at the National Air and Space Museum. It is either on loan or in storage.
Object Details
Country of Origin United States of America Type EQUIPMENT-Photographic Manufacturer Unknown
 Dimensions 3-D: 11 × 4.5cm (4 5/16 × 1 3/4 in.)
 Materials Housing: Steel, painted aluminum
Dial: Aluminum
Lens: Glass
 Inventory Number A19670194000 Credit Line Transferred from NASA Data Source National Air and Space Museum Restrictions & Rights Usage conditions apply
For more information, visit the Smithsonians Terms of Use.