The original seven Mercury astronauts look at a model of the rocket that would eventually launch their Mercury capsules into space. From the left, front row: Virgil "Gus" Grissom, Scott Carpenter, Donald "Deke" Slayton, Gordon Cooper. From the left, back row: Alan Shepard, Walter Schirra, John Glenn.
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Image courtesy of NASA

John Glenn Receives Another 'Go'!
News story originally written on January 19, 1998

In 1959, John Glenn was chosen to be a Mercury Astronaut. He became the first American to orbit the Earth. Some things haven't changed - Glenn still has the right stuff!

NASA just announced that Glenn, who is 76 years old, will fly on the shuttle Discovery in October.

This shuttle flight will be much different than his flight 36 years ago in the small Mercury capsule. The Discovery mission will last 10 days, not just five hours like his Mercury trip did. This time Glenn will be part of a seven person team, not flying solo.

In October, Glenn will become the oldest person to fly in space. So this Discovery mission will focus on how people age in space.

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