Blue Origin's rocket naming tradition pays tribute to pioneering NASA astronauts, with the latest addition being the 'New Glenn' rocket. Named after John Glenn, the first American to orbit Earth in 1962 aboard NASA's Friendship 7 capsule, this rocket symbolizes the legacy of the Mercury program that laid the groundwork for the US moon landing missions.
John Glenn's remarkable career extended beyond space exploration, as he also served as a US senator for nearly 25 years. In a historic feat, Glenn returned to space at the age of 77 aboard NASA's Space Shuttle Discovery in 1998, setting a record as the oldest person to reach orbit.
In his memoir, Glenn emphasized his unwavering patriotism and dedication to advancing the frontiers of space exploration. His words reflect the spirit of adventure and duty that characterized his illustrious journey as an astronaut and public servant.
Blue Origin's other space vehicle, 'New Shepard,' is named after Alan Shepard, the first American to travel to space in 1961. Notably, Shepard's daughter, Laura Shepard Churchley, continued her father's legacy by embarking on a brief spaceflight aboard New Shepard in 2021, marking a poignant connection between past and present space explorers.
