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

- Show: [EE Times Current](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ee-times-current)
- Published: 2021-06-18
- Length: 40m
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ee-times-current/2021-06-18-the-second-runner-up-wins-john-glenn-the-space-race
- Listen: https://www.eetimes.com/podcasts/eetoa-wb-ep140/

## Summary

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.

## Chapters

- [0:00](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ee-times-current/2021-06-18-the-second-runner-up-wins-john-glenn-the-space-race#t=0) Introduction: EE Times Weekly Briefing and Show Context
- [6:39](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ee-times-current/2021-06-18-the-second-runner-up-wins-john-glenn-the-space-race#t=399) Jeff Shesol on the Significance of John Glenn's Flight
- [13:36](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ee-times-current/2021-06-18-the-second-runner-up-wins-john-glenn-the-space-race#t=816) Tension Between Astronauts and NASA Management
- [17:37](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ee-times-current/2021-06-18-the-second-runner-up-wins-john-glenn-the-space-race#t=1057) The Autopilot Failure and Human Error on Friendship 7
- [28:47](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ee-times-current/2021-06-18-the-second-runner-up-wins-john-glenn-the-space-race#t=1727) Glenn as a Symbol of American Values and Public Relations
- [33:39](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ee-times-current/2021-06-18-the-second-runner-up-wins-john-glenn-the-space-race#t=2019) The Future of Manned Spaceflight and Commercial Space
- [38:19](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ee-times-current/2021-06-18-the-second-runner-up-wins-john-glenn-the-space-race#t=2299) Conclusion and Artemis Program Overview

## Topics

- [Mechanical engineering](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/mechanical-engineering)
- [Starting a product company](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/starting-a-company)
- [Policy, trade & tariffs](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/policy-trade-and-tariffs)
- [Careers & education](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/engineering-careers-and-education)

## Most relevant to

established companies

## Mentioned

- Mercury Rising (product)
- Friendship 7 (product)
- Sputnik 1 (product)
- Luna 2 (product)
- NASA (company)
- Elon Musk (other)
- Jeff Bezos (other)
- Artemis (product)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [Ep. 31 | NASA Astronauts Victor Glover and Michael Hopkins Talk Engineering at 17,000 mph](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/moores-lobby/2021-09-24-ep-31-nasa-astronauts-victor-glover-and-michael-hopkins-talk-engineering-at-17-0) (Moore's Lobby)
- [S1E58 NASA, Systems Engineering, and Sending Robots to Space | David Oh](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer/2020-12-23-s1e58-nasa-systems-engineering-and-sending-robots-to-space-david-oh) (Being an Engineer)
- [Ep. 10 | NASA Astronaut Matthew Dominick on Critical Engineering in Aerospace Technology](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/moores-lobby/2020-09-26-ep-10-nasa-astronaut-matthew-dominick-on-critical-engineering-in-aerospace-techn) (Moore's Lobby)

## Citing this page

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