Astronaut John Glenn Was NOT Afraid. His Off-The-Record Thoughts

This interview was recorded in 1994. Astronaut John Glenn was famous for being the first American to orbit the Earth. On February 20, 1962, he piloted the Friendship 7 spacecraft as part of NASA's Mercury-Atlas 6 mission, becoming the first American to complete an orbital spaceflight. This historic achievement made John Glenn a national hero and a symbol of American space exploration during the early days of the Space Race with the Soviet Union. He later went on to have a distinguished career in both the U.S. Senate and returned to space as an astronaut on the Space Shuttle Discovery in 1998, becoming the oldest person to fly in space at the age of 77.

Astronaut John Glenn underwent extensive training to prepare for his historic flight as part of NASA's Mercury-Atlas 6 mission. His training included various aspects of spaceflight preparation, physical fitness, and mission-specific training.

Astronauts like John Glenn underwent rigorous physical fitness training to ensure they were in top physical condition for the demands of spaceflight. This included cardiovascular exercises, strength training, and endurance training.

Astronauts received instruction in aerospace medicine to understand the physiological effects of space travel and how to manage them. They learned about G-forces, pressure changes, and how the body responds to the unique environment of space.

Glenn received extensive training on the systems of the Mercury spacecraft, including its controls, navigation, and communication equipment. He needed to be familiar with the spacecraft's operations to operate it effectively during the mission.

Glenn practiced various mission scenarios and emergency procedures in simulators that replicated the Mercury spacecraft's controls and instruments. This allowed him to become proficient in handling various situations that could arise during the mission.

Astronauts received training on how to survive in various environments, including water and wilderness survival training, in case their spacecraft landed off-course or in an emergency situation.

Glenn was an experienced pilot before becoming an astronaut, but he still needed to train specifically for the spacecraft's flight characteristics and the dynamics of launching, orbiting, and re-entering Earth's atmosphere.

The Mercury-Atlas 6 mission had its unique objectives and challenges. Glenn received mission-specific training related to his role in the mission, such as conducting experiments and observing Earth from orbit.

Glenn and other astronauts also received psychological training to help them cope with the mental and emotional challenges of spaceflight. They learned techniques to manage stress and stay focused during the mission.

John Glenn was known for having a strong and admirable personality characterized by qualities such as courage, determination, and a deep sense of duty. These traits played a significant role in his career as an astronaut and a public figure.

Glenn's courage was evident in his decision to become an astronaut and his willingness to take on the risks associated with space exploration. He famously said, "I figured the chances of being in a successful flight were about even money, and I wasn't willing to accept those odds." Despite the risks, he embraced the challenge of spaceflight.

Glenn was determined to succeed in his goals. He pursued a career as a military pilot, becoming a decorated fighter pilot in World War II and the Korean War. Later, he became one of the original Mercury Seven astronauts, displaying a strong determination to advance the U.S. space program.

Glenn had a deep sense of duty to his country and to the cause of space exploration. He believed in the importance of America's leadership in space and saw his role as an astronaut as a way to contribute to the nation's scientific and technological advancement.

All astronauts including John Glenn, were trained extensively to manage fear and anxiety. While fear is a natural human emotion, astronauts underwent rigorous training and psychological preparation to ensure that they could perform effectively and stay focused during missions, even in challenging and potentially dangerous situations. Glenn and his fellow astronauts learned to rely on their training, their equipment, and their fellow crew members to mitigate risks and carry out their missions successfully.

In interviews and his own writings, John Glenn acknowledged that fear was a part of the astronaut experience but stressed the importance of overcoming it through training and preparation. He believed that the pursuit of knowledge and exploration of space were worth the risks involved.