WATCH: Ahead of John Glenn’s Historic Spaceflight in 1962, the BBC Highlighted Cocoa Beach

By Space Coast Daily // November 26, 2025

Panorama world's longest-running current affairs television program

WATCH: In the days leading up to John Glenn’s history-making orbital flight on Feb. 20, 1962, Cocoa Beach was the center of global attention — and the BBC’s famed Panorama program was there to document the mood of a nation holding its breath.

BREVARD COUNTY • COCOA BEACH, FLORIDA — In the days leading up to John Glenn’s history-making orbital flight on Feb. 20, 1962, Cocoa Beach was the center of global attention — and the BBC’s famed Panorama program was there to document the mood of a nation holding its breath.

Glenn, a U.S. Marine Corps aviator and one of NASA’s original Mercury Seven astronauts, launched from Cape Canaveral’s Launch Complex 14 aboard the Mercury-Atlas 6 mission, becoming the first American to orbit the Earth.

His spacecraft, aptly named Friendship 7, circled the planet three times during a nearly five-hour mission that cemented U.S. credibility in the intensifying space race.

But before the roar of the Atlas rocket echoed across Florida’s Space Coast, Panorama — the BBC’s long-running investigative documentary program — was already on the ground in Cocoa Beach, capturing the excitement, anxiety, and pride permeating the community.

First broadcast in 1953, Panorama holds the distinction of being the world’s longest-running television current affairs program, known for its in-depth reporting and probing interviews.

CIRCA 1962: Before the roar of the Atlas rocket echoed across Florida’s Space Coast, Panorama — the BBC’s long-running investigative documentary program — was already on the ground in Cocoa Beach, capturing the excitement, anxiety, and pride permeating the community.

For the Mercury mission, its journalists fanned out across Cocoa Beach, interviewing residents, shopkeepers, and visitors who had crowded into the small beach town to witness America’s latest bid to match Soviet space achievements.

According to accounts from the time, the atmosphere was electric. Hotels filled to capacity, restaurants buzzed with speculation about the launch, and roadside souvenir stands did brisk business selling everything from astronaut toys to Cape Canaveral postcards.

Many residents described a mix of apprehension and patriotic pride, aware that spaceflight was still an uncertain and dangerous endeavor.

Glenn himself displayed the calm determination that had made him a national figure even before his flight.

Panorama crews filmed segments capturing the astronaut’s demeanor during pre-launch preparations, highlighting both his confidence and the intense pressure surrounding the mission.

Interviews with locals often mentioned Glenn by name, showing the degree to which he had become a symbol of American resolve.

When Glenn lifted off atop the Atlas rocket, the spectacle drew cheers from crowds gathered along the beach and causeways. His successful orbit transformed him into an international hero and energized the U.S. space program, paving the way for the Gemini and Apollo missions that followed.

The Panorama segments from Cocoa Beach remain a unique record of that moment — not only chronicling a milestone in human spaceflight, but also illustrating how deeply the mission resonated with ordinary people.

More than six decades later, the footage continues to reflect the tension, hope, and history that intertwined on Florida’s Space Coast as John Glenn embarked on his trailblazing journey around the Earth.

ABOVE VIDEO: On Feb. 20, 1962, at 9:47 am EST, John Glenn launched from Cape Canaveral’s Launch Complex 14 to become the first American to orbit the Earth.

On Feb. 20, 1962, John Glenn launched on the Friendship 7 flight, the first human orbital flight for NASA.

The Soviet Union and the United States entered the 1960s locked in a Cold War over space domination.

When Soviet cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin became the first human into space on April 12, 1961, the American space program rose to the occasion.

Less than a month later, astronaut Alan Shepard became the first American to launch into space, and then, on Feb. 20, 1962, John Glenn became the first American to orbit the Earth.

Now, 63 years later, NASA is celebrating Glenn’s historic mission, and all Americans have yet another reason to look back at one of the most ambitious periods in our history, and at some of our biggest heroes.

Glenn-capsule-320 — On Feb. 20, 1962, John Glenn was launched into orbit aboard Friendship 7. Glenn was one of seven astronauts in America’s seminal Mercury program. (NASA)

Glenn launched at 9:47:39 am EST from Cape Canaveral, orbiting Earth three times, with his flight lasting 88 minutes and 29 seconds. In total, he flew 121,793 km (75,679 miles), reaching a speed of 28,234 km/h (17,544 mph).

Although the mission was a success, it was nearly a disaster. During his re-entry into the Earth’s atmosphere, a warning light went on that indicated his capsule’s heat shield was loose.

Though it was a false alarm, no one knew it and technicians on the ground decided to take action.

They felt it was important to keep Friendship 7’s retro-rocket pack attached rather than letting it go upon re-entry. The result was what Glenn saw as a “rear fireball,” the pack burning away as he shot through the atmosphere.

Enos-320 — Mercury 5 was another chimpanzee flight, this time with Enos, the first use of the Atlas rocket for the Mercury program. (NASA)

Mercury 6 – Friendship 7

To clarify the numbering system, Mercury 1 was unmanned and failed, but Mercury 1A, also unmanned, was a success, followed by a successful Mercury 2 with Ham the chimpanzee on board, who survived the flight.

Mercury 3 and Mercury 4 were the first manned suborbital flights for the US, and were successful.

Mercury 5 was another chimpanzee flight, this time with Enos, the first use of the Atlas rocket for the Mercury program.

The Friendship 7 nickname referred to the seven original Mercury astronauts. As for the name friendship, here’s what John Glenn said in his memoir:

“I set about naming the capsule. Al’s (Shepard) Freedom 7 had struck the right note. Gus (Grissom) in Liberty Bell 7, had been inspired by both patriotism and the capsule’s shape. I had several ideas, but I was trying very hard to keep Dave and Lyn (his children) involved and make them feel a part of my mission. I asked them if they would be willing to think about some names.

“I said, ‘There’s only one ground rule. The world is going to be watching, so the name should represent our country and the way we feel about the rest of the world.’ They pored over a thesaurus and wrote dozens of names in a notebook. Then they worked them down to several possibilities, names, and words, including Columbia, Endeavour, America, Magellan, We, Hope, Harmony, and Kindness. At the top of the list was their first choice: Friendship. I was so proud of them. They had chosen perfectly.”

A Transcript of Astronaut John Glenn reporting back to Earth from the Friendship 7 capsule on February 20th, 1962:

This is Friendship 7. Have a beautiful view of the African Coast.”

“The horizon is a brilliant, brilliant blue.”

Minutes earlier, he had become the first American to enter orbit around the Earth, and the second person overall after Soviet cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin.

By 1962, Glenn was already a decorated fighter pilot who had flown in World War II and the Korean War. He later served as a U.S. Senator for almost 25 years. And in 1998, at age 77, John Glenn returned to orbit on space shuttle Discovery.

He participated in a number of NASA events to commemorate his landmark flight.

When you’re traveling at 17,000 miles per hour, day turns to night pretty quickly.

“That was sure a short day.”

“Say again, Friendship 7.”

“That was about the shortest day I’ve ever run into.”

“Time passes rapidly, eh?”

“Yes, Sir.”