John Glenn, 50 years ago today, taking his ease on the deck of USS Noa, which plucked him from the Atlantic after he rode a rocket into space and coasted through a long lovely arc before plunging through fire back into the Earth’s atmosphere and smashing into the ocean.
That is all. Oh: And the shoes.
Photo courtesy NASA.
NB: See Alexis Madrigal‘s thoughtful, pitch-perfect reconstruction of what Glenn looked at from space.
Also: Science comedian Brian Malow’s quick vid on Glenn, Sally Ride, and other high-flying pioneers.
Like a boss!
Totally badass.
I don’t think so…
For what it’s worth he didn’t just “coast through a long lovely arc” he orbited the Earth 3 times. But your point stands. TOTALLY awesome picture and person. Makes me want to go buy some new shoes. (Alan Shepard coasted a long lovely arc)
Is this cool compared to other astronaut photos, or cool compared to anything else? If the latter, you need to get out more.