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John Glenn, first US astronaut to orbit Earth, dies at 95

US space programme revitalised by his historic 1962 mission

Washington

JOHN Glenn, who was celebrated as a national hero after becoming the first US astronaut to orbit Earth and went on to serve 24 years in the Senate and seek the presidency, has died. He was 95.

He died on Thursday at Ohio State University's James Cancer Center in Columbus, Ohio, according to Hank Wilson, director of communications at the school's John Glenn College of Public Affairs.

President Barack Obama said: "John always had the right stuff, inspiring generations of scientists, engineers and astronauts who will take us to Mars and beyond - not just to visit but to stay."

President-elect Donald Trump said on Twitter: "Today, we lost a great pioneer of air and space in John Glenn. He...

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