Hardware Podcasts

The Second Runner-Up Wins: John Glenn & the Space Race

EE Times Current · 18 Jun 2021 · 40m

What this episode covers

Jeff Shesol, author of *Mercury Rising*, joins EE Times to discuss John Glenn’s 1962 orbital flight, revealing that the mission was far more perilous than historically portrayed. Shesol details how NASA managers initially favored full automation, forcing astronauts like Glenn to fight for manual control, and explains a critical autopilot failure caused by Glenn forgetting to flip a switch after spinning the capsule. The episode highlights how Glenn’s success restored American confidence during the Cold War and contrasts the political necessity of manned spaceflight then with modern commercial space ambitions by figures like Elon Musk.

Most relevant to

established companies

Topics

Mentioned

Companies
NASA
Products
Mercury Rising, Friendship 7, Sputnik 1, Luna 2, Artemis
Also
Elon Musk, Jeff Bezos

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