Cadet Competition Written Practice Exam

Who was the first American to orbit the Earth?

1. John Glenn

2. Alan Shepard

3. Gus Grissom

4. Jim Lovell

The correct answer is: John Glenn

John Glenn was the first American to orbit the Earth on February 20, 1962, as part of the Mercury-Atlas 6 mission, famously known as Friendship 7. During this mission, Glenn completed three orbits around the planet, significantly contributing to the U.S. space program and the broader context of the Space Race with the Soviet Union. His successful flight was pivotal, as it marked the United States' first achievement in orbital flight, demonstrating the capabilities of American spacecraft and boosting national morale amidst competition in space exploration. Glenn’s mission helped to lay the groundwork for future space missions and paved the way for human spaceflight endeavors. He later went on to fly on the Space Shuttle Discovery in 1998, becoming the oldest person to travel to space at the age of 77. Other names in the options also played critical roles in the early space program. Alan Shepard was the first American in space, but not the first to orbit. Gus Grissom was the second American in space, and Jim Lovell was notable for his role in the Apollo missions, notably Apollo 13, but none accomplished the milestone of orbiting Earth prior to Glenn.