02-015
For Release: February 20, 2002

Barbara L. Kakiris, InDyne, Inc.
Media Relations Office
216/433-2901

Lori J. Rachul
Media Relations Office
216/433-8806
Lori.J.Rachul@nasa.gov

Weekend Programs Commemorate 40th Anniversary of John Glenn's First Voyage

Today marks the 40th Anniversary of John Glenn's historic Mercury/Friendship 7 orbital flight during which he became the first American to orbit the Earth. You and your family can help commemorate the event during a weekend of special programming at NASA Glenn Research Center's Visitor Center, Cleveland.

Visitors are invited to look back on John Glenn's historic Mercury flight and his role in the recent STS-95 mission in the "John Glenn: Tribute to an American Hero" gallery. The gallery showcases historical photos and spacecraft models as well as two spacesuit replicas. Compare John Glenn's silver Mercury space suit to his orange Shuttle launch and entry suit. Interact with a multimedia kiosk that provides detailed biographical information.

From February 23 - 24, two videos will be shown in honor of Ohio's favorite son. "The John Glenn Story," a documentary encompassing Glenn's early career, will be shown at noon on Saturday and at 3 p.m. on Sunday. A more recent briefing on NASA's STS-95 shuttle mission (which returned space pioneer Glenn to orbit-36 years, nbs&p;    8 months, and 9 days after becoming the first American to orbit the Earth) will be shown on Saturday at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m., and on Sunday at 1 and 4 p.m.

More information on John Glenn's record-setting career can be found at:
              http://www.grc.nasa.gov/WWW/PAO/html/johnglen.htm

Note to Editors:Media representatives are invited to an educational field trip as the Young Astronaut Club from John Glenn Elementary School, Seven Hills, Ohio visits Glenn's Visitor Center today from noon - 1 p.m. to learn more about their namesake.

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