Mercury Capsule Friendship 7
This Mercury capsule, Friendship 7, was the capsule that allowed John H. Glenn Jr. to be the first American to orbit the Earth. This was in the third manned Project Mercury mission. The first two were the Freedom 7, which is on display at the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum in Boston, Massachusetts, and the Liberty Bell 7, which is on display at the Kansas Cosmosphere and Space Center in Hutchinson, Kansas.
Spacecraft location in the Museum
The Mercury Friendship 7 Capsule is on display in the Boeing Milestones of Flight Hall exhibition at the National Air and Space Museum in Washington, DC.
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Additional information
How long was John Glenn's flight in this capsule?
On February 20, 1962, John Glenn orbited the earth 3 times and reentered successfully to splash down in the Atlantic 4 hours, 55 minutes and 23 seconds after launch.
How did Mercury Capsule Friendship 7 get it's name?
John Glenn asked his children for suggestions on what he should name the vessel before finally deciding on the word “Friendship” and adding the number “7” to honor his fellow Mercury members.
What was the capsule made of?
Friendship 7 was constructed of titanium, the same material used on the SR-71 Blackbird
A look at Mercury Friendship 7's scorched bottom after reentry from the atmosphere.
Painted American Flag on the side of the Mercury Friendship 7 shows the wear and tear from reentering the Earth's atmosphere.