Glenn chats with space station to mark anniversary
by Kantele Franko
Associated Press
February 20, 2012 03:14 PM | 494 views | 0 0 comments | 2 2 recommendations | email to a friend | print
In this photo provided by NASA, Sen. John Glenn poses for a portrait shortly after doing live television interviews from the Ohio State University Union building, Monday, Feb. 20, 2012, in Columbus, Ohio. Monday marks the 50th anniversary of Glenn's historic flight. Glenn was the first American to orbit Earth. (AP Photo/NASA, Bill Ingalls)
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COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) _ John Glenn says being able to speak live with the International Space Station was a “great surprise” as he celebrated the 50th anniversary of his historic spaceflight.

The astronaut and senator from Ohio became the first American to orbit the Earth on Feb. 20, 1962. He marked the anniversary Monday at Ohio State University by kicking off a forum about NASA’s future.

He sat on stage with NASA administrator Charles Bolden and chatted with three space station crew members about research in space and NASA’s future. Commander Don Burbank appeared by video link, flanked by two flight engineers floating in the zero-gravity environment.

Burbank said Glenn’s momentous flight paved the way for ongoing work on the space station. He said the crew was delighted to help commemorate that trip.

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