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Lot 48
[Mercury Atlas 6] THE HISTORIC LIFTOFF OF THE FIRST AMERICAN IN ORBIT JOHN GLENN ABOARD FRIENDSHIP 7 NASA, 20 February 1962
14 – 28 April 2025, 12:00 CEST
Paris, Avenue HocheSold for €704 inc. premium
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[Mercury Atlas 6] THE HISTORIC LIFTOFF OF THE FIRST AMERICAN IN ORBIT JOHN GLENN ABOARD FRIENDSHIP 7
NASA, 20 February 1962
Printed 1962.
Vintage gelatin silver print on fibre-based paper [NASA image S-62-363].
Numbered "NASA S-62-363" in black in the top margin, with NASA caption on the reverse (issued by NASA Headquarters, Washington, D.C.).
20.3 x 25.4 cm. (8 x 10 in.)
Historical context
Taken on February 20, 1962, this photograph captures the dramatic liftoff of the Atlas rocket from Launch Complex 14 at Cape Canaveral, Florida, enveloped in smoke and steam as its engines ignite. Atop the towering rocket sits the sleek Friendship 7 capsule, carrying John Glenn on the first U.S. orbital spaceflight, with the emergency escape tower and rocket secured above it. This moment marked the culmination of intense engineering innovation and determination and a pivotal step in the United States' efforts in the Space Race, following the Soviet Union's orbital achievements.
Printed 1962.
Vintage gelatin silver print on fibre-based paper [NASA image S-62-363].
Numbered "NASA S-62-363" in black in the top margin, with NASA caption on the reverse (issued by NASA Headquarters, Washington, D.C.).
20.3 x 25.4 cm. (8 x 10 in.)
Historical context
Taken on February 20, 1962, this photograph captures the dramatic liftoff of the Atlas rocket from Launch Complex 14 at Cape Canaveral, Florida, enveloped in smoke and steam as its engines ignite. Atop the towering rocket sits the sleek Friendship 7 capsule, carrying John Glenn on the first U.S. orbital spaceflight, with the emergency escape tower and rocket secured above it. This moment marked the culmination of intense engineering innovation and determination and a pivotal step in the United States' efforts in the Space Race, following the Soviet Union's orbital achievements.
Footnotes
Mercury-Atlas 6 was a defining milestone for NASA, demonstrating the capability of human orbital spaceflight and bolstering American resolve during a highly competitive era of exploration. This image reflects the monumental scale of the mission and serves as a lasting testament to the bravery and ambition that propelled the early days of human space exploration.
From the mission transcript during liftoff:
Capcom (Mission Control): 3, 2, 1, 0
000:00:03 Glenn: Roger. The clock is operating. We're underway.
000:00:07 Capcom: Hear loud and clear.
000:00:08 Glenn: Roger. We're programming in roll okay.
000:00:13 Glenn: Little bumpy along about there.
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