>> could you characterize the relationship between the von braun and the astronauts? >> we worked very well. i think at the management level, there were some problems that developed, and i think those have been written about. i don't need to talk about those. but as far as the astronauts, we were just trying to get trained and do our job. and we visited at his home a number of times. von braun was a very unique person, a very capable person. he -- i think he had a characteristic that a lot of people have that i've been able, through being known and traveling around the world some, we've had the opportunity to meet a lot of people that have done a lot of great things. and it seems to me that most people that have that characteristic have another characteristic. they have an inordinate curiosity of everything around. they're curious about everything. can we invent a better mike? how about a clock, something here. when we went to huntsville, von brunn asked us up to dinner on the hill.

i expected when you walked in his little library that here would be all the books on engineering and math and mechanics and all this type of stuff and that would be it. instead of that, when i went in his library for the first time, here were all the books on religion and ethics and philosophy and a few books on math and science and things like that. but his library was mainly filled up by other things. he was a very broad-gauged person. you'd ask him about religion or philosophy and you were in for a two-hour discussion. and so, i enjoyed being with him and i think the other astronauts did, too. and if there were management problems with one center and another and headquarters and so on, well, that was their problem and we really were not involved with that at our level. >> back to the planetarium. >> senator glenn, i want to thank you for coming out today. appreciate it. one quick thing. can you show us the four black

spots on your body? just kidding. i'd like you, if you would quickly, to just discuss your memories of gus grissom, your relationship to him and anything else you might add about gus. >> yes, gus and i were close and he was a no more dedicated person than gus. he really was a, really was a tiger at working at things and in keeping in shape. we were good friends. in houston, we built homes that were not too far apart. scott carpenter and i were side by side and back on a street right just about 100 yards away was gus grissom, wally, all of us in sort of little area there. and that was really a tragic loss. it came as -- i think looking back on it, obviously, it was a mistake to have 100% oxygen environment, because all you've got to remember is your high school physics where you had a beaker of oxygen and you had just a little red-hot wire and you dipped the wire in there,

and remember the wire metal burned when you put it in there. well, the mistake that was made on that as near as they can determine was they had some paper inside there. maybe the paper shouldn't have been in there. and a spark came out from they think during a test that they were on, and in that 100% oxygen environment, once that spark hit the paper, why, it just -- that was it. it was just practically explosive, and those are three fine people that were lost that time, not only gus, but roger chaffee and ed white, just outstanding folks. so that was the only loss nasa had before we had the "challenger" accident. and so gus was a good friend and he's still missed to this day. >> senator glenn, all the previous questions have focused on the past. let's talk about the future for a moment. what's next for john and annie glenn? >> all of the questions have dealt with the past.

let's go to the future. what's next for annie and john glenn? >> i'm just trying to keep up with annie, you know. i've suggested to annie that we should put in and try and go as a couple back into space. but shawn, lest you think this is something i'm coming to you with one of these days, wherever you are here -- she only has one caveat to this. she wants to be up there and she wants to look down and see everything up there. she just doesn't want to go through the launch. i don't know how you do that. no, seriously, one of the things we're doing, of course, was mentioned earlier in the introduction here. the institute for public service, public policy at ohio state. i've felt for the last 15 years or so that we had so much cynicism and apathy of many of

our young people toward anything to do with government and politics that it could be a hazard for the future, seriously, because our democracy depends upon people participating, and if we all went down the mall here and across to the archives building, went in and looked, there sits the constitution, hand-writ, there it is. it is the greatest single document on governance ever put forward in human history. and yet, we might as well take it out in front and burn it on the front steps, unless we have people willing to try and take those words off paper and make them come real for everybody in this country, everybody. not just the favored few, but everybody. that's what democracy is all about. not a communist-type thing, but, no. i have always looked at politics as being the personnel department for the constitution, and i think it's every bit that. and so, we're trying to -- my

encouragement in the government in politics didn't come after i was in the space program. it came when i was in high school. i had a wonderful teacher in high school, name was hartford steele, and he made civics come alive. it was the study of government and politics. i looked forward to going to his classes. and so, that's where it came from, and always after that i had some little thing around that i was reading or something, whether i was overseas or wherever, and went into government and politics. never thought i'd be able to run myself but did later on by circumstances. so, we're working very hard on this thing at ohio state. i think september 11th helped rekindle some of this interest of our young people. now, how do we keep that going? debbie over here's doing a great job of our outreach program. we've had a program the last year on service learning that we have worked with our colleagues

at the kellogg foundation and put out a thing on service learning. before that, dick riley had asked me -- who was secretary of education -- had asked me to head up a study of math and science teaching in the 21st century. i was glad to do that, and some of the things we found there were just frightening as far as education goes. you know, our kids up to -- the third international math and science study, which was done on 41 nations around the world rating their kids, up to about the fourth grade, our kids rate in the top two or three nations of the world. when they get out of high school, our kids are two or three from the bottom of 41 nations. we found that 20% in the high school, 20% of the math teachers never majored or minored in math themselves. they didn't have anything to do with it. somebody says, hey, you're going to teach math next year. no, i don't want -- yeah, you're going to teach math next year, and they're barely ahead of the kids. so, it's no wonder we're behind. same thing in science. 25% in math are that way, 20% in science. never studied it and yet we're

expecting them to teach it. and we came out with a whole string of things that we made suggestions on for how we correct this. i won't have time to go into those tonight, for sure, but we're doing things like that, working with the institute up there and still doing some things here in washington we're interested in. so that's about it. >> specialist, too, glenn. we want to thank you for what has been another amazing evening. and having you share your experiences with us once again. >> i have one thing i'd like to do here, if i might. >> yes, sir, whatever you want. >> that is, you've been a wonderful audience tonight. we appreciate that. and in the spirit of the last week or so, we thought we ought to rate the audience tonight. so, family, stand up, if you will. okay. [ applause ]

>> good thing you didn't know you were under that pressure. senator, thank you very much. can you see something that looks like a gift on the other side there? >> yeah. i don't know which one you want. >> well, pick any one of them. >> i'll bring the whole smear -- >> well, they're actually all the same. >> they are? >> it's interesting. since you were a key player in the space race, we're presenting you tonight with some russian laser art that depicts the first flight of the wright brothers. this is a limited edition -- >> well, that's great. >> you're the first one to receive this. >> well, that's great. thank you. thank you. appreciate it. thank you. >> you can put that one down and you can take this one with you. >> all right, good, thank you. >> we want to thank the boeing company for the sponsorship.

without this sponsorship, these types of events would not be possible, and we are very much indebted to you. thanks for being here tonight. glad you got a good seat. there will not be an autograph opportunity this evening. we ask that you exit via the rear doors of the theater. thank you very much for supporting our program and we'll see you next time. 50 years ago, astronaut john glenn became the first american to orbit the earth. the entire flight was just under five hours. he orbited the earth three times in a spacecraft named friendship 7. next a film about john glenn tracking him from his boyhood in

ohio new his historic space flight. this is of a than hour. there are milestones in human progress that mark recorded history. in my judgment, this nation's orbital pioneering in space is of such historic stature, representing as it does a vast advancement that will profoundly influence the progress of all mankind, it signals also a call for alertness to our national opportunities and responsibilities. it requires physical and moral stamina to equal the stresses of these times and a willingness to meet the dangers and challenges

of the future. john glenn throughout his life hassle low quently portrayed he's great qualities and is an inspiration to all america. this film in paying tribute to john glenn also pays tribute to the best in american life. new concord, ohio wasn't on many maps until february 20th, 1962. it came to fame in a single day with an american adventurer that history will call the john glenn

story. fashioned in the american image, this pleasant little city tip if i guys a nation's ideal way of life. a man might make a good life here. in the circle of family and friends. and a boy might let his imagination soar. he might explore the wonders of the wide world all about him, life's simple mysteries. with bright discovery daily opening doors to knowledge. he can look away to distant places, to excites adventures, hid willden only by the horizon the future. like this boy, like boys everywhere, young john glenn

dreamed of the future as he looked to far away new frontiers. why, he might even learn to fly. this town and these people, they knew john glenn as a school boy, as a teenager, and as a neighbor. like mayor taylor, they followed his career as he blazed a trail across the high sky. >> i watched john glenn grow up from a freckled face red headed lad into the man you know today. john's youth and his life today are an example for all americans on follow. >> new concord high, like these youngsters, john attended school here. his principal and teacher was harford steele. >> he was an excellent student and he graduated with honors from our high school. i taught johnny and hundreds of

others that our democracy is a priceless heritage and that we should preserve, protect and if at all possible make some contributions to it. he has made a significant contribution in his mission in space. >> and this fine new school in new concord, it's the john glenn high school. with its first graduating class receiving diplomas, young john helped his father at this shop when he wasn't in school or at camp or in college. john went on to college at muskinghum right in new concord. the high regard of the college is expressed by its president. >> john's conquest in space has captured the hearts and the imagination of all americans. so have his superb qualities of

leadership, moral and physical strength and emotional stability. >> john found time for ath receipt ticks, winning four high school letters. muskinghum coach ed sherman recalls john glenn's athletic record. >> john played football right here on this field. he was captain of his high school team and played center for the college. he has proven the value of teamwork both as an athlete and later as an institute. just like these boys, john took an active part in our physical physical nth program. he proved that a good mind and a good body always go together. >> campus discussions are inspired by the first orbital flight of an american. >> i think that john glenn by his flight has given us an

opportunity to see that while we had a chance to do something for our nation, too, maybe i'll even go summertime. >> we had the same opportunities that he had. >> glenn proved that there are still many frontiers to be explored and concurred. >> and that shows how vital our education is.urred. >> and that shows how vital our education is. >> glenn always had a strong spiritual side. >> john attended services at this church when he was a boy like bradley here. >> let's attend services for a moment at john glenn's church. ♪

john and annie were married at this church by dr. henry evans. >> they made a most handsome couple, john in his marine uniform, annie a beautiful happy bride. they both recognized the importance of the spiritual things of life as well as the mental and physical. >> the trial is also great for 240es who wait as recalled by annie's parents. >> johnny's orbital flight was a real test of courage for annie, too. >> she was a very brave girl. >> annie had complete faith in the space program just as she had confidence in everything johnny set out to do. >> this house was home for john glenn. john glenn sr. and mrs. clara glenn are proud of their son's

accomplishments. >> john was prepared for the orbital flight as was the entire team. >> in a way, john has been preparing all his life for his venture into space. as a small boy, his idea of a holiday was a visit to the airport. and when he grew up, it was no surprise to us when he decided to learn to fly. >> flight commanded young john's hanlg interests. he had to learn to fly. world war ii had interrupted college. he received his first flying lessons from this pilot. >> this is john's flight record with my combat after his first flight, which was eager to learn, relaxed, alert, and good coordination. he certainly has retained he's flight qualities right into outer space.

>> flight training at pensacola and corpus christi. many earned their wings here. john went to corpus christi to learn about airplanes and time for physical conditioning and sports and for religious inspiration. like these naval aviators, to win his wings. the navy's thorough training prepared lieutenant john glenn for war time action in the south pacific. flying 59 missions like these, he joined in blasting enemy targets. until there was peace and glenn returned to corpus christi as advanced flying instructor until korea. major john glenn came back to combat to fly 90 missions and

shoot down three miigs. following korea, john glenn came home to flight test the super sonic crusader to flash across the nation, california to new york, setting a super sonic speed record of three hours and 23 minutes. with experimental thrusts toward speed and altitude. the limitations of time and distance were being brushed aside as experimental planes like the x-15 launched from the air force mothership rocketed to record-breaking altitudes. unmanned orbits pressed on until it was time for man to orbit. until the word was "go." chosen from many americans who answered the president's call, these astronauts dedicated themselves to study, training and physical conditioning.

with alan shepard learning about weightlessness and gus grissom with the space gravity an and wally shirer. three years of engineering skill and scientific experiment have gone into this launching. it was devised by thousands of technicians in hundreds of united states cities. and this, the motive power, carefully raised to position on its gantry. this, the atlas. with the power to develop 360,000 pounds of thrust and the ability to lift the spacecraft and passengers into orbit at

17,500 miles per hour. now the word is "go" as the spacecraft is lifted into the position atop the atlas. this spacecraft, six feet across at its widest heat shield and ten feet tall, built to withstand temperatures of 3,000 degrees fahrenheit as the winds whip by. as the astronauts prepare for adventure into outer space. mercury control waits and watches with the atlas standing ready to throb into life. ready. friendship 7 is ready and so is john glenn.

at the gantry, elevators lift glenn to the 11th level, the spacecraft level. glenn takes his place in friendship 7 looking toward the unknown.

ready, mercury atlas is ready and so is the astronaut. the countdown is under way at cape canaveral as all the world holds its breath and all the world is witness. >> all systems, go. >> mercury capsule? >> go. >> all pilot lights are on. >> god speed, john glenn. >> five, four, three, two, one. zero. >> roger.

the clock is operating. we're under way. >> receive you loud and clear. roger. we're programming we're all okay. a little bumpy out here. >> stand by for 20 seconds. >> roger. >> two, one. mark. >> roger. back-up clock is started. >> fuel, 102, 101. oxygen, 78. 100. amps, 207. >> roger. flight path clear. >> roger. tech's okay. mine was 70 on your mark. we have some vibrations coming up here now. we're smoothing out getting out of the vibration area. >> roger. read you flight and clear. flight path is standing by. >> roger, pico.

cannot see the tower. >> we can sense staging. >> roger. 1.5 gs. >> we got you. >> roger, bermuda. stand by. this is friendship 7. all the greats fired. okay. >> roger, 0-g. i feel fine. capsule is turning around. oh, the view is tremendous. >> roger. >> roger, capsule. turning around. i can see the booster turning around a couple hundred yards behind me. it was beautiful. >> the word is "go" and john glenn is go and with him go all of mankind's dreams of touching the stars. the tracking ship "rose knot" waits and follows his track to

the coast of africa. he follows the path of earth below. friendship 7 makes a slow boat out of the sun as the spacecraft gi girdles the earth at 17,500 miles an hour, john glenn streaks away from today into the night of tomorrow, racing toward the dawn of yesterday. as glenn sights the sights of perth and flashes over australia and across the pacific to contact waiting ground stations in wymas, mexico and california waits as friendship 7 streaks home to the land of its origin. an unseen comet lining across the united states in eight lightning minutes of flight.

completing three history-making circuits of the globe, john glenn fires retro rockets so spiral it back to earth. >> five, four, three, two, one. >> roger. retros are firing. are they ever. it feels like i'm going back toward hawaii. >> then the first ominous note. the first warning of possible disaster. a chilling signal flashes an indication that the capsule's heat shield may be loose. the astronaut might perish like an earth-bound meteor in the heat without the heat shield. strapped over it, the retro pack may hold it in place. cape canaveral makes the decision. >> this is tech, friendship 7, we are recommending that you leave the