Feb. 20, 1962 - The orbital flight of Colonel Glenn proved today to be a sort of super goodwill tour. Expressions of sympathy, pride and congratulations arose around the world. The peoples of Britain and Western Europe were kept up to date by news dispatches, radio and television. They shared in the tension, relief and enthusiasm of the United States. Pope John XXIII was kept informed of developments throughout the flight. A Vatican source said that the Roman Catholic Pontiff had most certainly prayed for Colonel Glenn’s safe return to earth. In Austria, press services and newspapers were flooded with telephone inquiries. A Government spokesman said: “We are very happy that the Americans have succeeded. We share a feeling of relief with pilot Glenn.” News of the launching was sent eastward by Radio Free Europe from its Munich base, which beams broadcasts to the 79 million people of Poland, Hungary, Czechoslovakia, Rumania and Bulgaria.
#nasa #nasabeyond #Space #1960s #spaceship #spacestation #spaceman #spacecraft #spacetravel #spaceage #spaceexploration #SpaceShuttle #spacedesign #spacecoast #spacewalk #spacemarines #spaceoddity #spacesuit #JFK #1960s #history #podcast