CCO - Creative Commons (CC0 1.0) This media is in the public domain (free of copyright restrictions). You can copy, modify, and distribute this work without contacting the Smithsonian. For more information, visit the Smithsonian's Terms of Use page. IIIF provides researchers rich metadata and image viewing options for comparison of works across cultural heritage collections. More - https://iiif.si.edu View Manifest View in Mirador Viewer CCO - Creative Commons (CC0 1.0) This media is in the public domain (free of copyright restrictions). You can copy, modify, and distribute this work without contacting the Smithsonian. For more information, visit the Smithsonian's Terms of Use page. IIIF provides researchers rich metadata and image viewing options for comparison of works across cultural heritage collections. More - https://iiif.si.edu View Manifest View in Mirador Viewer CCO - Creative Commons (CC0 1.0) This media is in the public domain (free of copyright restrictions). You can copy, modify, and distribute this work without contacting the Smithsonian. For more information, visit the Smithsonian's Terms of Use page. IIIF provides researchers rich metadata and image viewing options for comparison of works across cultural heritage collections. More - https://iiif.si.edu View Manifest View in Mirador Viewer Usage conditions may apply

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.

 Display Status

This object is not on display at the National Air and Space Museum. It is either on loan or in storage.
Object Details
Country of Origin United States of America Type PERSONAL EQUIPMENT-Life Support Astronaut John H. Glenn, Jr.
 Manufacturer Unknown
 Dimensions 3-D: 15.2 x 7.6 x 21.6cm (6 x 3 x 8 1/2 in.)
 Materials Bag and Interior: Nylon, rubber impregnated nylon
Straps: Nylon
 Inventory Number A19670185000 Credit Line Transferred from NASA - Manned Spacecraft Center Data Source National Air and Space Museum Restrictions & Rights Open Access (CCO)
For more information, visit the Smithsonians Terms of Use.