About This Stamp
This Project Mercury stamp commemorates the first orbital flight of a United States astronaut. Project Mercury was the first human spaceflight program of the United States, run by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration. It was influenced by the space race with the Soviet Union that began in 1957 when they launched the first artificial satellite, Sputnik I. The stamp features an image of “Friendship I” capsule above the Earth. “Friendship I” was manned by Lieutenant Colonel John Glenn, Jr., who was the first American in orbit.
First Day of Issue Ceremony
First Day of Issue Date: February 20, 1962
First Day of Issue Location: Cape Canaveral, FL