City of light - 50 years in Space

Special Event | Updated 1 decade ago

Image contains elements copyright of NASA

On February 20, this year, WA will celebrate the 50th anniversary of a very significant event.  On that day in 1962, John Glenn became the first American to orbit the Earth in the Friendship 7 spacecraft. On this mission, Glenn flew over Perth and the people of Perth turned on their lights to acknowledge his mission. Glenn observed that the city was clearly visible from space and Perth became known worldwide as the ‘City of Light’.  This early space exploration mission set the stage for the Gemini and Apollo programs which culminated in NASA landing men on the moon.

To commemorate the 50th anniversary of Glenn’s orbit, on Monday 20 February 2012 an outdoor public event will be staged in the Northbridge Piazza, featuring a live audio and video link to the International Space Station as it orbits the Earth.

The highlight of the event will be an opportunity for young people to speak with and ask questions of the astronauts on the International Space Station.

The event will also include activities, displays and presentations highlighting Western Australia’s involvement in space exploration and the development of telecommunications in WA over the last 50 years.

This free public event is being organised by the State Records Office of Western Australia and the WA Museum working with the City of Perth, the Hills Amateur Radio Group, the Amateur Radio International Space Station and NASA.