Mirror, Life Jacket, Glenn, Friendship 7

Circular mirror case with imprinted stamp "Instrument-panel reflecting mirror for movie camera"

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Object Details

Astronaut

John H. Glenn, Jr.

Manufacturer

Unknown

Summary

This life jacket was issued to John Glenn for his Friendship 7 flight in February, 1962. The life jacket is the self-inflating tube-type Navy issue life jacket made of rubberized nylon. It was strapped to his chest with the convex mirror fastened to the front.

The mirror had the dual purpose of a reflecting mirror in case of mission abort when the astronaut could use the mirror to attract rescuers. The other use was for reflection of the instrument panel in order to enable the staff of Mission Control to take instrument readings.

Transferred to the National Air and Space Museum from NASA in 1967.

Credit Line

Transferred from the National Aeronautics and Space Administration

Inventory Number

A19670185001

Restrictions & Rights

CC0

Type

PERSONAL EQUIPMENT-Life Support

Materials

Mirror: Coated aluminium

Support: Red rubber

Straps: Nylon

Dimensions

3-D: 19.2 × 2.5 × 13.5cm (7 9/16 × 1 × 5 5/16 in.)

Country of Origin

United States of America

See more items in

National Air and Space Museum Collection

Data Source

National Air and Space Museum

Metadata Usage

CC0

Link to Original Record

http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/nv98edb7026-f351-4226-b6dd-777514aaf303

Record ID

nasm_A19670185001