Charles A Knotek (American, 1933 - 2008) "First U.S. Astronaut Orbits Earth" Signed lower left. Original Mixed Media Painting on Illustration Board. Provenance: Collection of James A. Helzer (1946-2008), Founder of Unicover Corporation. This painting is the original painting which was published on the MIPS First Day Cover for the Marshall Islands 80c First U.S. Astronaut to Orbit Earth stamp issued May 15, 2001. "Zero g, and I feel fine." From Friendship 7, John Glenn happily informed mission control of his weightlessness in space. On February 20, 1962, John Glenn became the first U.S. astronaut to orbit the Earth. Two Americans -- Alan Shepard and Gus Grissom -- had flown before Glenn, but their flights lasted only a few minutes each, and did not take them into a full orbit of the Earth. Glenn's flight lasted nearly five hours as he circled the Earth three times. He witnessed four sunsets and saw beautiful views of Earth from space. On the first night of his orbit, Glenn passed over western Australia, where the people in Perth turned on all their lights to signal Friendship 7. He was amazed at the geography of the Earth from space: "I can see the whole state of Florida just laid out like a map. It's beautiful!" Because of a computer malfunction, Glenn had to pilot the spacecraft himself upon reentry -- and safely, splashed down in the Atlantic Ocean. The mission was a success for NASA and a milestone in future space exploration. Image Size: 12.75 x 16.25 in. Overall Size: 15 x 20 in. Unframed. (B99017)