Astronaut applications now being accepted
Today Americans in Orbit-50 Years has announced plans to re-create the NASA mission in which John Glenn became the first American to Orbit the Earth. Inspired by the 1962 Friendship 7 mission, the plan is to re-create the flight on the 50th anniversary, February 20, 2012. Craig Russell, President of Americans in Orbit-50 Years, stated, “This is the first attempt to re-create a manned orbital spaceflight. We plan to launch an astronaut from Cape Canaveral aboard an improved Mercury capsule.” The flight is scheduled to “splash down” in the Atlantic, just as Glenn’s 1962 mission.
Americans in Orbit-50 Years has been able to recruit an Advisory Board made up of a distinguished group of space program veterans: T.J. O’Malley, Charles Arthur (Chuck) Biggs, Sr., Larry R. Capps, William Coleman, Lt. Col. USAF (Ret.), Hugh W. Harris, Konrad K. Dannenberg. We will continue to add members over time.
The purpose of the project is twofold; commemoration and education. Our hope is to honor all of those who were associated with Project Mercury. Many of these people went on to work on both the Gemini and Apollo programs which resulted in the moon landing. The Dittmar Associates Study, commissioned by NASA, noted the steady decline of interest in space exploration over the last few years, particularly among the younger generations. Americans in Orbit-50 Years will re-ignite interest by allowing students to actively participate with space science experiments and small satellites in the adaptor section. Russell has contacted professors at several major universities, and they have all expressed interest and a desire to be involved in the project.
The organization proposes to use a Falcon 9 rocket for the launch. The Falcon 9 is being developed and tested by SpaceX, a California based space exploration company. The two stage rocket will be able to lift approximately 22,000 lbs. into orbit.
Huntsville, Alabama – January 9, 2008 – Americans in Orbit-50 Years announced astronaut applications are being accepted. The minimum requirements and application procedure can be found on the website. Craig Russell made the announcement in Huntsville, Alabama at the local chapter of the National Space Society (HAL 5).
About Americans in Orbit-50 Years, Inc. – Americans in Orbit-50 Years is headquartered in Madison, Alabama, just outside Huntsville, Alabama (home of Marshall Space Flight Center, U.S. Space and Rocket Center, and Space Camp). The mission is to develop and manage a program to commemorate the 50 year anniversary of NASA’s Friendship 7 mission, create excitement, public awareness of space exploration, and promote the National Space Science Education Program (NSSEP). For more information, visit their website at www.aio50.org.
