50 years ago, Project Mercury astronaut John Glenn made history by becoming the first American to orbit the Earth. This stunning achievement relied upon the strength of a powerful Atlas rocket to successfully carry Glenn’s spacecraft, Friendship 7, into space. Nearly 50 years to the day of Glenn’s 1962 flight, an advanced United Launch Alliance Atlas V 551 rocket will lift-off from Launch Complex 41 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station. Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex recognizes the historic ties between these events, and is offering visitors the opportunity to watch the Feb. 16 launch of the Atlas V, currently scheduled to occur between 5:46 and 6:30 p.m. more >
In 1962, NASA’s Project Mercury made history by sending an American into orbit for the first time. To mark the 50th anniversary of this historic achievement, Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex is inviting the public to a celebration that will be headlined by Mercury astronauts John Glenn and Scott Carpenter, the first two Americans to orbit Earth.
Franklin R. Chang-Dìaz, Kevin P. Chilton and Charles J. Precourt will join an elite group of American space heroes as they are inducted into the U.S. Astronaut Hall of Fame® during a ceremony at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex on Saturday, May 5, 2012. They will be welcomed to the ranks of legendary space pioneers like Neil Armstrong, John Glenn, Alan Shepard, Jim Lovell, Sally Ride and John Young – distinguished members of the Hall of Fame. more >
Sierra snowfall changes everything at Yosemite National Park, adding scenic drama as it opens up an entire new playground of winter sport options. Tenaya Lodge at Yosemite has 48 acres of fun activities on site at the lodge, and lodging packages that create the perfect “conditions” for a winter getaway. more >
