This star chart flew on John H. Glenn Jr.’s Friendship 7 Mercury capsule when he became the first American to orbit the Earth. Glenn's three-orbit mission on February 20, 1962, was a sterling success, as he overcame problems with the automatic control system and a faulty telemetry signal that the heatshield was loose. Glenn reentered successfully and splashed down in the Atlantic 4 hours, 55 minutes and 23 seconds after launch.
NASA transferred Friendship 7 to the Smithsonian Institution in 1963, which has exhibited it in buildings on the National Mall ever since. This star chart, which is mounted in a plastic sleeve with a moving overlay to show the view out the capsule window and the Earth’s horizon, came with the spacecraft to the Smithsonian.
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-Miscellaneous
Manufacturer
Unknown
Dimensions
3-D: 27.9 x 12.7cm (11 x 5 in.)
Materials
Plastic
Paper
Synthetic
Inventory Number
A19670192000
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.