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John Glenn, first American to orbit Earth, dies aged 95

John Glenn, first American to orbit Earth, dies aged 95

Former astronaut John Glenn, the first American to orbit Earth, has died at 95.

The ex-Marine and US Senator had been in hospital in Columbus, Ohio, for more than a week and died surrounded by his children and wife of 73 years.

Glenn is best known for circling the earth in 1962 aboard the Friendship 7 space capsule.

His achievement marked the moment the US caught up with the Soviet Union in manned space exploration.

Glenn is expected to be buried at Arlington National Cemetery, Virginia.

Initial Source: BBC News