Object Details
Manufacturer
Unknown
Summary
Rangefinders such as this one used by John Glenn on his Mercury Friendship 7 mission in 1962, help a photographer determine the distance between the camera and the target to be photographed. The device allowed Glenn to properly focus his cameras to capture images of Earth and space, the first taken by an American astronaut. Glenn could use this device with his visor down, allowing him to put the rubber eyepiece against the visor and look through it and out the small window of his capsule.
NASA transferred this rangefinder to the Museum along with all other "Friendship 7" equipment in 1967.
Credit Line
Transferred from the National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Inventory Number
A19670194000
Restrictions & Rights
Usage conditions apply
Type
EQUIPMENT-Photographic
Materials
Housing: Steel, painted aluminum
Dial: Aluminum
Lens: Glass
Dimensions
3-D: 11 × 4.5cm (4 5/16 × 1 3/4 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
Link to Original Record
Record ID
nasm_A19670194000